gota GET UP

Hi! my name is Erin. I'm a 57 year old woman .
I have rheumatoid arthritis,osteoarthritis ,chronic pain syndrome ,spinal stenosis and an undiagnosed neuropathy.
My pain started when I was only 7 years old. By age 24 I had surgery to address the abnormality in my feet.
I married and had a beautiful baby girl. It was a difficult pregnancy as I was carrying twins and I lost my baby boy.
My marriage lasted a very short 5 yrs and 3 months as I lost my husband to cancer when I was only 29.
Since that time the challenges of owning a beauty shop ,working as a manicurist, creating and selling  jewelry, teaching swimming in the summer and being a Nanny(almost 4 yrs) for twin girls have provided the funds necessary to maintain a home and raise my child. There has been little left over for insurance and medical care. At age 42 I had to have back surgery to repair 3 ruptured disc. I lost my insurance after that surgery.
In the summer of 2011, I  was hospitalized with severe back pain and abdominal pain. A second trip to the emergency room  later in the fall with the same painful symptoms but still no  clear diagnosis( it was eventually supposed that I was suffering from severe diverticulitis) I was sent home with additional pain medication and little hope of recovery.
I was unable to work at this time so I filed for disability.  It was a long and very stressful 9 month process. The  rules of disability provide an income that is less than my modest mortgage payment, AND THERE IS A TWO YEAR WAIT AFTER YOU ARE APPROVED AS FULLY ( in my case permanently) DISABLED BEFORE YOU RECEIVE MEDICAL TREATMENT. I was also told that I would not be eligible for additional income from my husband's  SS account because Medicare  rules state that I would have had to become disabled within seven years of his death. Before my 36th birthday. I will be eligible for those benefits when I turn 65.
During the waiting period my colon  eventually ruptured due to the diverticulitis that was caused from the amount of pain medication required to keep me functioning. If  being bedridden is functioning. I was completely lame  at this point. Unable to take one step without aid of a walker and blinding pain. I was hospitalized for kidney failure.I barely survived any of these devastating episodes. My depression was complete
Finally, in March 2014 my Medicare and supplemental insurance policies were effective. March 17th I had my right  knee replaced,  April 28 my right hip was replaced. June 17th my left knee was replaced. 3 surgeries. 3 months. I pushed myself hard in therapy and was able to work part time while in recovery. I have survived with prayer,  help from my family, friends and my Church. Also, a small amount of money I was able to cash in that my husband had saved before he died.
November 2014 I had hernia repair surgery as a result from the massive infection that occurred after my colostomy. December 29th , 2014 I had my final surgery, a replacement of my left thumb joint and a fusion of my thumb  as I  had broken it two years earlier in an accident I had falling over my walker.
I thought my recovery time would have been shorter so that I could get back to the business of taking care of myself.
I've done the best I could to keep up with my bills etc. It has proven difficult with my level of post opt pain and the effects of so much anesthesia .
I was late paying my supplementary insurance, my policy was terminated and I was told that it could not  be reinstated, EVER! 
Again, the rules with Medicare are different when you are under the age of 65. 
After much crying, begging  and prayer my policy has been reinstated and it has been made clear that this is a ONCE in a lifetime  exception. If I'm late again my policy will be terminated and I will not be eligible to re-enroll for supplemental insurance until I am 65.
I had to pay $1,700 by March 26 ( crossing fingers the check clears!) for the delinquent payments to reinstate my policy. I was able to make this payment with the help of my family but I am now minus my living expenses and future insurance payment(s).
My Church is going to help me pay some of my April expenses but it will not be sufficient for me to live and pay insurance.
I'm still under doctors care and have several issues that need medical attention. It is expected that I will need my left hip replaced in the near future. An MRI is needed to determined the source of the nerve pain in my back, legs and feet.
I was recently diagnosed with diabetes, the result of years of steroid and rheumatoid arthritis drugs.
My hand is healing but I am not able to provide manicures. I am able to earn some money as a part time driver for Uber depending on my physical limitations. This is still not sufficient for me to pay for insurance , medical and living expenses. I have shaved my budget to the absolute minimum of expenses.
I'm raising money to help with my living expenses, medical and insurance which are far above my income and disability assistance.
I am usually a very strong and independent woman. I also care about others and help in any way I can. I'm a woman of faith and I know somehow I'll be OK. However, I realize I am at a point that I've tapped out my family and friends financially. As difficult as it is to admit I need more support to win the battle.
I am so humbled, and extremely grateful for your consideration.

Much LOVE,
Erin