Pneumonia Took Me Down

Hi,

My name is Lisa. I have been a teacher for over 20 years. I am in my second year of teaching back in the States after spending 4 years teaching at an international school in China. As you know, classrooms are breeding grounds for germs and I ended up with bilateral pneumonia before Christmas. I had been sick on and off prior to that time, I suspect the pneumonia had already begun. and had no more sick days. Therefore, any time I would take off would be unpaid. When I ended up in the emergency room, I had no idea I was so sick. I was admitted for 6 days. When I was released I was sent home with oxygen. I have had to use it daily since then. I have also been off work since then. I have been told that once they are able to determine whether I will need the oxygen permanently, I can go back to work. My appointment is next week. I will have been off more than a month. I have no savings or nest egg to dip into to replace the months worth of pay I will have lost. I won't be able to pay rent, car payment, utilities, insurance or for groceries. I'm scared and desperate right now.