Re's Medical Expenses

Covid has already been financially difficult on my family, and my illness definitely makes things more complicated - and expensive. I've finally found a doctor who is going to run some tests that could explain some things, but these tests are expensive.

The thing is, I've been fighting this illness for almost a decade already and am so sick of losing my life. I need these tests. They could be my Hail Mary. These are tests that should have been done years ago, honestly. However, they are expensive.

Yes, I do pay for insurance ... expensive insurance that I pay out of pocket for because I'm self-employed. However, that insurance has a huge deductible and co-pays.

I know there are many people suffering in the world right now; I've spent a lot of time trying to help some of them. If you can find a few extra dollars to help me with these medical expenses, I am grateful.

Here is some information on the charity work I do ... https://www.angelmessenger.net/angel-messenger-charity-projects/
 
The video below discusses our most current giveaway and reveals how upset I was after finding out about these expenses this morning. It is embarrassing for me to cry on camera, but I had already drawn the winners so couldn't record again ... and I think it's important to show that tears are nothing to be ashamed of. Our emotions are real and should not be shoved away in a corner ... because that is really not helpful or healthy.

The cost of this illness always weighs on my heart; this was just a bit too much on top of everything else. Our income has not yet bounced back after the initial hit, and we just don't have many options left. I keep trying to fight, but that's difficult to do when you don't have any weapons left. Most of my income is from the advertisers on my website, and that dropped immediately once covid hit. My family has been purchasing groceries with a credit card for some time now, and there is not enough space left on there for this expense.

UPDATE 3-2-21

I realized some may want to know exactly what tests I am asking donations for, so I will explain ...

This Saturday, I will be getting two MRI's of my thoracic and lumbar spine. These two procedures both have $150 co-pays each, and large ($1,100) deductibles that must be paid before anything is covered by insurance. I am hoping they will only charge me $300 and then bill the insurance ... which will result in me getting a large bill later.

On March 18th, I will be getting an ENG which is a nerve study to determine what is causing the nerve pain issues. This also has a large ($1,100) deductible and a $150 copay, and then insurance will pay 80% ... if there is anything left to pay. (I will be responsible for 20% of the cost even after this deductible and copay.)

It may seem hard to believe that I've had nerve pain for 8+ years and no one has done a nerve study, but that is how my journey has been. Some doctors simply dismiss women. I've had back pain most of my life, and this will be the first time someone has really taken a look at my back, too. Like I said, I need these tests. I can't keep living like this, especially if it's possible that we could find a cause and fix it.