Meghan's Family Recovery

Hello, my name is Meghan McVeigh. This isn't the Holiday announcement I had in mind this year. About a month ago I started experiencing numbness in my hand that I thought was due to a lot of typing from taking classes online. This developed rapidly into what we now know to be a major neurological event. Over the last two weeks, I have gone completely numb in both legs and torso as well as my hands. After several MRIs, the neurologist discovered lesions on my spine that led to swelling of my spinal cord. We are still waiting for test results from the lumbar puncture (spinal tap) to potentially determine the cause of these lesions. This has left me having to learn to walk again as well as develop fine motor skills. I am now home after 8 days in the hospital. I was treated with 1000mg of steroids for five days to reduce the swelling in my spine. Fortunately, I responded well to this treatment and have begun to regain some sensation in my limbs. From here I begin physical therapy. Insurance declined inpatient physical therapy because this was not accident related, so I have to do outpatient physical therapy. We have no formal diagnosis at this point although the tests will determine if this is Multiple Sclerosis, one of several diseases in the same category, or the best-case scenario an isolated incident. Regardless of the diagnosis, the treatment is the same at this point. This has put a significant burden on my family and we need help. I have a six-month-old baby at home, a 4 and 15-year-old, and was their primary caretaker. Along with the family, my partner Isaac who was the provider for the family has taken on caretaker duties for the children as well as myself. I'm not sure how long my therapy will last or how soon I can be up on my feet again. I don't know what the future holds. I do know that I will be out of commission for at least a month if not the better part of the coming year. I don't know what is appropriate to ask for and honestly, this is all more than I can comprehend at this point. This has been the most traumatic experience of my life. I am blessed to have a wonderful family to support me. Unfortunately, we don't have the means available to us to provide for our family at this time. I'm not sure how much this will cost. I put an amount on this that is arbitrary at best. I will update it as I know more, but for the time being what I am asking for will keep us sheltered and fed. It would mean the world to me if you can help. It's also understood if you cannot. I will update you as I learn more. Please share!