Medical Bills and Leave of Absence

For those who may not know me, my name is Rachel Johnson, and I started this GoFundMe on my own behalf because 2022 handed me one heck of a mountain when I was expecting a molehill.

In early February, I was diagnosed with celiac disease. The same week, I was scheduled to go for a CT scan with barium contrast. I was assured the contrast was gluten-free and told to drink the two pints required for the test the next day. After the exam concluded, I became violently ill, and was then told "Yes, the contrast contains gluten because it is necessary for the test." So I spent the next 3 weeks unable to leave the bed or keep down food, water, and at one particularly scary point, my medications.

That brings us to early March, when I went to the doctor because I was experiencing fevers that wouldn't go away. After many consultations with different specialists over the course of the next 2.5 weeks, and various tests to diagnose the problem, it was determined that I had an infection in my blood (A/K/A sepsis) and would need extensive treatment, beginning immediately. In so many words, the doctors told me to get to the hospital and, as the famous board game says, "do not pass Go, do not collect $200". In other words, NOW.

As of this writing on April 19, I am home from the hospital and doing well, but still receiving IV antibiotics to ensure the sepsis is cured. My out-of-pocket cost for that hospital stay is $3500. I have been out of work on a leave of absence for two months and just recently became eligible for temporary disability. The LOA is unpaid; therefore, I have had no income - which is a loss of several thousand dollars - for those two months (thankfully, my health coverage is active through my current employer until June 30th). I was forced to throw out the entire pantry, including spices, because everything contained gluten (around $500).

These crises have caused me to spend my "rainy day fund". I hate to ask for help, and I hate to share my life story, but I need to lean on my family and friends right now (and the generosity of strangers) to get back on my feet. I promise if you're ever in a bad spot, I'll return the favor.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and giving whatever you can afford to give (or sharing). I am eternally grateful.