Reg's Medical/Surgery Expense Fund

When reality takes precedence over pride

I am so embarrassed to share but I've come to the realization that if there was ever a time when anything could go wrong it did.  For some reason, it all has gone wrong at the same time and I simply am asking for help.

I would like to share a little about me.

I've lived in Carlsbad for almost 30 years, worked in technology for 40 years. I am a 5 time cancer survivor, yet probably the accomplishment that I am most proud of, today I am sober for 33 years, 10 months and 16 days (as of Nov 13, 2014). All my oncologists agreed my "clean" and healthier life style is the single most important contribution in outlasting and surviving these 5 struggles that have been my previous adversary in life.

Being chemical free has been the most beautiful and wonderful gift that I could have ever given myself, and that anyone else could give themselves as well. Equally I am the only one that can take that lovely gift away. In the 33 + years, I've learned alot about life with an entirely different perspective, appreciating the small things and not sweating the large; respecting all living things and enjoying each and every day as if it was the very last.  My mantra is simple and clear; I need Strength, Courage and Wisdom and I try awfully hard to fulfill these needs on a daily basis.

Many of us have relatives, loved ones, friends who we would all hope took a serious look within to help themselves, to deal with the disease of Alcoholism and yet only their loved one can continue this arduous task for themselves. I am not a perfect human but my friends can atest, I am sincere and as positive and encouraging as one can be. 

This is not my journey today, it's only a qualification that I give my word to you, each and every person who wishes to donate and makes a note to me, I will repay you the entire amount you donate. Please know, this is more of a loan, since I've not been one who is a receiver but more of a giver throughout my life.

My convoluted journey

Here is why I am asking for your immediate assistance (it really is a weird feeling, asking for help). A few months ago, while at a new job I began to notice  problem with my eyes, gradually this exacerbated into a series of conditions where I could no longer see the text on a computer screen and I use a computer for this work over 10 hours per day. In August the issues became an injury of severity where I was asked to leave work and instructed to go to the company Workman's Comp clinic. Sadly there are no specialists at clinics tasked with qualifying a patient for Workmans Compensation and  the physician admitted he was not of the expertise, nor did have the equipment to diagnose any symptoms that was being experienced. I was released back to work only to injure my eyes with more severity. Two days  later, I was able to seek the help of an Opthamologist whose prognosis is Acute Keratitis, Severe Dry Eyes, photophobia and Dry Eye Syndrome (or Computer Vision Syndrome). The prescribed treatment includes a serious regimen of multiple daily application of three different types of prescription eye drops, antibiotics and not to work until the end January 2015 when I will be evaluated to return to work I hope.

The normal process in California would be simple; apply for workmans compensation and get care and treatment until which time the Medical professionals cleared me to resume my job. Unfortunately my employer had already submitted a Workman's Comp claim prior to the Opthamologists visit and as a result their Insurance Company had denied the claim prior to any diagnosis. The next step in a process such as this is to file an appeal, but I was not sent any notification of denial until after the deadline for an appeal had expired.

I am one who is eternally optimistic and have a lot of faith in a system that I ignorantly believed was going to assist persons who have experienced similar issues, and applied for State Disability which is the SDI withdrawal from your paycheck. It's a mere amount but it's an insurance policy just the same. Upon filing an SDI claim I was informed that I was denied Disability as well. This was puzzling since I had been paying into the system for more than 35 years as a state resident. What I discovered, is the same as any insurance policy, once you no longer pay into it, it expires and no grandfathering of funds will be counted. I wasn't too concerned since I was confident that the withdrawals from my employer would be enough, but, again another serious obstacle. The employer had not been filing any of my paycheck deductions with the State of California. Some people would give up at this point, yet I believe there is confidence that I will be able to properly see once again when my eyes are healed (at least that's our goal).

Now I am in a appeal (in a court of appeals) of this process but that's a process that takes another period of time that I no longer have the luxury to endure. During the period that I was seeking care and treatment and since being denied Workmans Comp, I was not being paid and a month after the injury I was terminated without reason. Now I cannot work until I heal and I cannot heal properly until I continue the care and treatment that I can no longer pay for. Since I've been terminated I no longer have health coverage and the perscriptions for 4 months are quite expensive without coverage (Restasis $180 every 14 days; Lotemax $170 every 14 days; Doxycycline $60 every 14 days; Bacitriacin, Non-preservative Systene (over the counter $12 per 14 days). The health care provider is a complete other set of bills I will encounter.

My savings have been exhausted, my bills are becoming overdue and now I stand to get the full retail medical bills very soon. I realize that I have waited too long, again I have pride and have always provided for myself and my family and I have no where to turn any more but to come to GoFundMe and ask for your help.

Again, anyone who wishes to donate as a loan rather than a donation, please make note and I will repay each of you who requests it. 

I now need your help

I am asking for help so I may pay for my medications, my medical bills until after the appeal decision which I am optimistic will favor my position and all due amounts to my SDI fund will be remitted, allowing me to repay those who request it.

I have never been in such a position and yet I am positive that everything always gets better. Today is not as great a day as some are and yet, it's not a bad day. The cup in my life, is always half full and I have and will always be  a giver, it's just not possible today.

If you are able to understand where I'm coming from and know how people's lives are affected by the slightest series of errors, then please offer a little bit to help me reach my goal and allow me to heal properly and become the same productive member of society as I've always been. You know what's really strange, I miss being able to swim in the ocean during this time, so please jump in for me and I'll be there with you in heart.

I really could use your help and if you're able to "loan," or donate, my sincerest thank you in advance.

Thank you, I am sincerely grateful

I've learned alot about the injury to my eyes in the past few weeks and it is also my goal to continue to educate all those who use LED, gaming systems, TV, computers, smart devices and simply spend too much time. You and your loved ones are all potential victims to the same condition.

As part of my healing during care and treatment I am committed to share this knowledge and help educate others of this danger, won't you please support my efforts.

This text is completed using voice to text freeware so  I anticipate some spelling or grammatical errors