My Journey: From Caregiver to Emergency Care for Blindness

My name is David Tam. I was the caregiver for my wife, Marlene, for the last two and a half years of her life.

She was admitted to the hospital on February 20, 2018, for aspiration pneumonia. She was in intensive care for almost 30 days and then passed away from the complication of sepsis, a lesion in her left lung.

She passed away and I was left with HUGE financial debt that I thought I could resolve on my own.

But it has only gotten worse over time.

AND THEN on May 10th, 2024, I was diagnosed with an eye infection in my right eye.

I was treated for it as a bacterial and viral infection by an ophthalmologist.

On May 16th, I went completely BLIND in my right eye!

I was IMMEDIATELY transferred by ambulance from Saint Francis Hospital ER, Tulsa, OK to University of Oklahoma Medical Center in Oklahoma City, for diagnosis, lab cultures, and treatment.

It was determined that I have/had a fungal infection caused by Fusarium solanii, a fungus.

The infection caused scarring on the CENTER of my cornea.

We (ophthalmologists) are weighing the options concerning PTK Laser Surgery (Phototherapeutic Keratectomy).

Needless to say, my crushing debt has become even MORE CRUSHING!!

I am TERRIFIED, and I don't want to file for bankruptcy!

I really have NO ASSETS, don't own a home, living single, I am on Social Security and Medicare, and I am afraid of becoming homeless and on the street.

I know many people run into great financial hardship from medical expenses... I just never imagined that it would be me!!

I have been currently working part-time at TWO different jobs... but I can't keep up with my month-to-month finances!!

*PLEASE* help me if YOU can!!