- C
Hello everyone who may read this. I first want to say that I am sorrowful to even need to type these words, but I need some help. As some of you know, I became ill in April of 2015 with severe rib pain, joint pain, diffuse rashes, headaches, extreme fatigue, and brain fogginess. After 8 months of doctors, testing, medications, and more doctors, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. I did a course of 30 days of antibiotics and then 30 more days of IV antibiotics. After 28 days, I developed an allergic reaction to the IV meds, but finished them with the help of benadryl. I felt better after that. Better, but far from normal.
During the time frame of April 2015 - April 2017 I developed rapid heart rate, some arthritis in my left foot, uveitis in my right eye (which caused some vision loss), as well as repeated bouts of costochondritis (inflammation of the rib cage, chest wall, or sternum). Every time I was hit with a routine illness, it took me 3 or 4 days longer than the average person to recover. My rheumatologist and primary doctor agreed that I would most likely have these issues for the rest of my life due to the severity of the Lyme as well as the fact that it took so long to diagnose. During this same time frame I lost over $12,000 in wages and paid around $6400 for medical expenses above my insurance cost.
I've been plodding along, willing myself to be better, trying just about any suggestion that was thrown my way. However, in April of this year I had a bad case of bronchitis that knocked me down for over a week. I got back to work, but then I was hit with the joint pain, chest wall pain, fatigue, and brain fog that by now I was all too familiar with. I had been working two jobs to try to recover some of the money I had lost. I have been unable to do that for the last two months.
I work for the federal government full time, which does not have short term disability. I filled out paperwork, with the direction of HR, on May 15th to receive advanced sick leave so that I could try to recover from these issues. I heard nothing from my job and assumed that all was completed. Well, here we are at June 17th and my paperwork is STILL waiting for the appropriate signature and I have gone 4 weeks without a paycheck. The Union is looking into this issue for me, however, they are unsure if I will be able to receive any back pay. Which brings me to today...
I hate to even ask for help, because I'm stubborn like that. But I'm about to be evicted from my apartment because June rent wasn't paid. The apartment complex cannot offer me an extension because they are a corporation. I have exhausted all of my funds, which I assure you is quite easy when you have doctor appointments and medication copays, and haven't gotten a paycheck for a month. I cannot take any more money from my retirement at this time, because I borrowed from it last year for the same reason. I need some help to get by for the next few weeks. My doctor has started me on a new medication and I'm hopeful that I will start to have some relief this week and be able to return to work.
I'm also looking into some options for possibly working from home or accepting a medical retirement. However, these things won't happen overnight. I truly appreciate any help that you can give me as I go through this time.
During the time frame of April 2015 - April 2017 I developed rapid heart rate, some arthritis in my left foot, uveitis in my right eye (which caused some vision loss), as well as repeated bouts of costochondritis (inflammation of the rib cage, chest wall, or sternum). Every time I was hit with a routine illness, it took me 3 or 4 days longer than the average person to recover. My rheumatologist and primary doctor agreed that I would most likely have these issues for the rest of my life due to the severity of the Lyme as well as the fact that it took so long to diagnose. During this same time frame I lost over $12,000 in wages and paid around $6400 for medical expenses above my insurance cost.
I've been plodding along, willing myself to be better, trying just about any suggestion that was thrown my way. However, in April of this year I had a bad case of bronchitis that knocked me down for over a week. I got back to work, but then I was hit with the joint pain, chest wall pain, fatigue, and brain fog that by now I was all too familiar with. I had been working two jobs to try to recover some of the money I had lost. I have been unable to do that for the last two months.
I work for the federal government full time, which does not have short term disability. I filled out paperwork, with the direction of HR, on May 15th to receive advanced sick leave so that I could try to recover from these issues. I heard nothing from my job and assumed that all was completed. Well, here we are at June 17th and my paperwork is STILL waiting for the appropriate signature and I have gone 4 weeks without a paycheck. The Union is looking into this issue for me, however, they are unsure if I will be able to receive any back pay. Which brings me to today...
I hate to even ask for help, because I'm stubborn like that. But I'm about to be evicted from my apartment because June rent wasn't paid. The apartment complex cannot offer me an extension because they are a corporation. I have exhausted all of my funds, which I assure you is quite easy when you have doctor appointments and medication copays, and haven't gotten a paycheck for a month. I cannot take any more money from my retirement at this time, because I borrowed from it last year for the same reason. I need some help to get by for the next few weeks. My doctor has started me on a new medication and I'm hopeful that I will start to have some relief this week and be able to return to work.
I'm also looking into some options for possibly working from home or accepting a medical retirement. However, these things won't happen overnight. I truly appreciate any help that you can give me as I go through this time.