Help Angie McFarland to be Healed

In 1989 I was diagnosed with a very chronic, stealth and insidious disease called Lupus.  There is no cure for Lupus and often the affects of this disease go untreated or missed.   To make matters worse I also have Type 2 diabetes, on Insulin,  digestive problems caused by the Lupus and diabetes both, problems with my heart and breathing.   I am on 20 medications which include insulin, steroids and blood thinning medication because I am subject to blood clots. I have Severe back and joint and muscle pain as well.  This past year (2014) my kidney function started to deteriorate due to both the Lupus and Diabetes and in December I nearly died because I went into acute renal failure and rhabdomyelosis where muscle tissue begins to break down causing severely elevated CK levels.  I was in the hospital for 15 days and since then I am still fighting to feel strong and healthy.   This year 2015 my insurance benefits changed, requiring referrals for every procedure and specialist visit and now it is a weekly fight just to get the referrals for the medical care I need.  This adds additional stress to my life and and stress just makes my condition worse.  Now because of my kidney situation many of the meds used to control my lupus symptoms and severe joint and muscle pain were discontinued and as well  my insurance changed a lot of my meds to cheaper, generic meds which do nothing but cause impossible side effects.    I am so very  tired of this battle and tired of having another pill thrown at me for each new problem that arises as my health deteriorates.  I am already in the coverage gap for medication after only 9 weeks of the new year and so now I am paying out of pocket and my insurance will not pick up again until we have paid $4900 out of pocket.  A lot of my medication is very expensive.  1 medication alone cost $214 a month, my insulin is $400 every 6 weeks,  another med $150 a month and on and on.  At this point we have another $3500 to go before we reach the catastrophic phase and the insurance company picks up paying for my meds again.  Something needs to change for me.  I am tired of the side effects of steroid medication and waking up each morning feeling tired and sick.   In January I obtained my medical records from the hospital and found an x-ray report that said my heart was enlarged and mediastinum was widened.  It recommended a CT scan be done.  It was never done in the hospital and never brought to our attention, so I questioned my doctor at my visit with her in March and she agreed to get another x-ray which confirmed the x-ray from December and also suggested a CT scan be done.  I had the CT scan done on May 6th and we are awaiting the results and I have an appointment scheduled with a cardiologist that specializes in women's heart health on May 19th.   Yet, I am also convinced I need a functional medicine specialist to do a complete work-up and help me make healthy and holistic living choices to help my body heal itself.  The problem is they are not covered by traditional medical insurance plans.  The first two visits are expensive and the blood work-up runs $2000 alone.  They will try and submit the blood testing through my insurance but we will be responsible for whatever insurance will not pay and  then each subsequent visit will run close to $100  and they are weekly weight loss clinic visits.  I need to lose close to 100 pounds put on by the medications and steroids I have been prescribed to treat the Lupus and other problems.  I also have Insulin resistence which has also caused significant weight problems.     I also have severe oral health problems caused by the Lupus.  My dental insurance doesn't kick in until the end of June and then only pays a portion of exams, x-rays, etc.   I had worked very hard for many years as a nurse as many of you know.  I had to quit working in 2004 because of medical issues caused by the Lupus and had to go on disability in 2007.   We live on a very low income,  but not low enough for assistance.    I do not want to die young without a fight and I know this Functional Medicine clinic can really help me,  even if it is to help me get off  some of this medication and lose the weight put on as a side effect of all this stuff.   I am not a big eater,  never have been.  I have tried doing healthy things on my own and it has helped,  so I know if I can attend this clinic, get some real answers and lose the weight I can do so much better.  This doctor has worked with Dr. Mark Hyman.  My husband and I met with her on April 24th and are even more convinced she will be of great help to us.  I have prayed about doing the Go Fund Me idea because I know people have their own problems and we live in a terrible economy right now.   I would greatly appreciate any help towards my goal.    I want to be able to be at my husband's side like most Pastor's wives are.   At this point I cannot even travel with him to his ministry in Ocala or even fly without getting into trouble.  I have missed so much and spend a good portion of my life alone.  It Sucks, but I do have my Lord Jesus in the midst of everything and I am so grateful for His Mercy and Grace.    Thank you all so very much for your consideration and help if you can, it is so greatly appreciated.  Because of donations thus far I have a scheduled appointment on May 8th for a complete work-up with the doctor. After her work-up I will know better where I stand.   I promise to work hard to reach my goal of weight loss and good health.   Thanks again for your consideration.     Much Love,  Angela McFarland