Medical Expenses (2023-present)

Hi, Theresa Kereakes here with an updated story and update. (The original post/campaign info is below this one)

In May of 2023, I went to an Emergency Room, and came out 11 days and two surgeries later. I had 6 months of treatment, another surgery in 2024 (both successful) and have had the 6-month and 1-year post surgery exams. All of you good folks reading GoFundMe helped me make it through these times when I was unable to work. I can't thank you enough.

It's all over but the semi-annual check-ups and paying down the bills.

Health appears to be good and staying on-point, but wow, the long term disability coverage I had (half my regular salary from work)... the insurance provider did say they wanted to recover an off-set when I was required to apply for Social Security Disability as a condition of receiving this so-called benefit... the provider is seeking to recover an amount greater than what Social Security Disability awarded me for the same period.

The math doesn't add up to me. I had to retain a lawyer who deals with collections to deal with this.

Currently my reliable income is Social Security Retirement. I earn a non-predictable income from editorial licensing of my photos, and from speaking engagements. I did a short stint in the summer of 2024 in a retail job, thanks to a friend who owns a specialty store, but the persistent neuropathy in my feet ( side effect of medical treatment) makes that kind of work out of the question, as I cannot stand for any length of time. Anyone out there who is looking for 100% remote work understands those positions are few and far between.

Every few months, I am in the position where the expenses far outweigh the income, and I'm here again now.

Thanks for anything you can do to help, and spreading the word is just as valuable to giving.

There IS an update in the "Updates" field.

------ Last year's information -----

Quite a lot has happened in the past couple months. In short: health getting better every day, but the financial woes as a result of a year-long illness and recovery are going to get worse before they get better. I THINK I can make out the horizon over these currently choppy waters, but time isn't on my side right now.

The details are in the Updates from May, 2024 through the present.

I am keeping all the history of this story live, below. See Updates for most current information.

THANK YOU

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Today, May 23, 2024, marks ONE YEAR since I was discharged from my initial hospital admission that led me to start this fundraiser. Today's update recaps the year....

---past story updates are all below---

Today, May 13, 2024, marks ONE YEAR since I was admitted to the Vanderbilt University Medical Center after an emergency room surgery. I couldn't have stayed afloat without your help.

I am keeping all the previous versions of this intro here, below so those new to this campaign can see the whole story/progress.

More details are in today's (April 30, 2024) Update, but basically, I am in the home stretch before being able to return to full time work but the next 4 weeks or so are indeterminate (again, details in Update), so I am still in need of the bridge you've all helped me build,

Thanks to you (and my doctors and science), I am in the home stretch. The Bad Health Ride in this amusement park of modern life for the youthful-feeling senior citizen (I will be 66 in April 2024) was a relatively brief episode that only in retrospect shows a clear beginning, middle and future. (The original text of the fundraiser remains below)

November 1, 2022 - I had a back injury that brought me into medical offices more in a short period of time than ever. I had many RX meds that I'd never heard of, let alone taken... and the ensuing GI issues, I attributed to them.

February 6, 2023 - frustrated by a medical practice that ghosted me after I made several calls asking for a GI specialist referral, I made the switch to Vanderbilt University Medical Center and I attribute their care to what I consider a success story (minus, of course, the illness).

April, 2023 - The fall I took hauling a mattress to the curb that resulted in my back injury ALSO set in motion an abdominal/internal organ situation that I had felt but was dismissed by previous medical practitioner as muscle spasms. New doctor ordered a battery of test and labs and was a total ninja in getting them approved through Medicare's weirdly specific forms. These tests revealed something that needed further testing, but alas - that test - a colonoscopy - kept getting delayed because it turns out I am allergic to all the normally prescribed prep solutions.

May 2023 - while not knowing it was an abscess, I did feel an alien force that was causing me pain, and I spent most of the month propped on pillows working on my laptop rather than at the desk. One night, just 2 weeks before my 5-year work anniversary (this date is notable), the abscess erupts and I went to the ER. There, I had an emergency surgical procedure to drain it and clean my abdominal area, and 10 days on an IV drip of antibiotics before a major surgery to clear a path for a 6-month period of medication treatment, after which I would have another surgery to return me to an undiseased normal. And that brings us to now!

I am fortunate to be employed and with adequate benefits that include both short and long term disability. Unfortunately, my disability claim started just 2 weeks short of my 5-year work anniversary, which means that after the first 12 weeks of disability at 100% of my pay, the rest of my disability would be at 60% of my pay... which is why I set up this fundraiser, and you all have kindly helped me stay afloat.

About 8 weeks of physical therapy remain, and at that point, we will know if I am cleared to return to work. The update of March 15 gives a little more detail into the post-treatment situation.

Thanks friends. I would be deep in a hole with your help this past year.

I am also keeping the original texts below. There will be more news and info in the updates, but I am so excited that the 2 upcoming surgeries I was anticipating will be just one (long) procedure with two surgeons putting Humpty back together again (me!)

Long term disability pays 60% of my normal paycheck. I will be in post-operative recovery for at least 8 weeks following my February 29 surgery. 

UPDATE to come imminently!

Thanks for all your support - financial, emotional, and for sending your good wishes. You have buoyed me through the obstacle course of sudden serious illness, medical bills, and health maintenance for nearly a year. Thank you all so very much.

————

It’s been over a year since an initial injury that overshadowed symptoms that put me on this healthcare journey. 

Since May, you have read about and helped me along this process involving tests, 2 surgeries and a longer hospital stay than I figured when I started this fundraiser. I am grateful for all the help so far. My update from July shows how these funds were applied to medical bills and home medical supplies.

I am fortunate to have a job, that FMLA exists for my eventual return after this medical episode ends, and for my employer’s disability benefit, such as it is. The disability benefit expires on May 11, 2024. 

I had been receiving Short Term Disability from my employer’s insurance company to cover my salary, but as of August 14, 2023, during my second phase of treatment (medication treatment and after a few weeks, doctors will determine when my next (this would be the 3rd) surgery will be), my disability claim has moved into another tier of coverage (it reduces my pay to 60% of my regular check) thus I am keeping this fundraiser open. Losing almost half your income presents a huge financial burden to anyone; I know everyone can relate to that. 

I have increased my goal to reflect the total shortfall I now face, which is about $1,600 per month. 

My medical bills continue to be more than my earnings, even with excellent insurance coverage. I want to be able to continue to pay these medical bills and also rent and the like.

Your contributions to date have not only kept me afloat but have allowed me to buy those things I never thought about at the outset (wound care supplies, for example). I appreciate the kindness of strangers and generosity of friends. If you cannot give, please spread the word.

 With gratitude,

 Theresa K