My name is Aaron Faust. I am 44 years old and work for a locally owned distribution company that delivers a wide portfolio of alcoholic beverages under the parent company Budweiser. I have been there for 5 years now and have my own C-store route. The job is very physical as we deliver our products with hand carts and do everything from deliver, rotate, stock, and ensure customer satisfaction through close relations with the retailer.

I purchased my first home in 2018. I live within city limits of Sylva, N.C. I've grown up here since I was 10 years old and moved here with my family. My father, deceased from cancer in 2013. My mother, alive. My sister and husband and my niece all live here as well.

I've recently spent 23 days over 4 months in the local hospital: 7 nights at the end of February, 9 nights in the middle of April, and 7 nights in the middle of May. I have diverticulitis in my sigmoid section of my large intestine. Diverticulitis is hereditary; my father had it in 1999. I've had some more serious attacks from it with abscesses and microperforations that lead to infections. On top of that, I have atrial fibrillation. The doctors did great, and I was glad to be in our local hospital. All of the people around me were very helpful and definitely made a difference in recovery time.

Finally, the time has come for surgery this Friday, June 5th, at 8 a.m. It is a relatively short procedure, 1.5 to 3 hours if all goes as planned. Then another 5 to 7 days of hospital stay till my body can move from an ice chips/liquid diet to a low residue, low fiber diet. And I can tolerate foods and use the bathroom. After stomach surgeries, it takes some time for your intestines to start working correctly, and they won't release me till that point. Recovery after leaving the hospital is 6 weeks before I can get back to light work duty. The biggest reason being, I will have multiple laparoscopic incisions on my abdomen and one longer one to remove the sigmoid section. The muscles must heal well to help avoid any hernia. I've also been out of work during each attack for 3 weeks. And now presurgery, I've been out of work since May 6th, at the beginning of my last attack.

On top of all that, I have atrial fibrillation and have to go have ablation surgery at the end of August. This was actually planned for after my first attack as my heart rate was very hard to control in the hospital. And for my age and health, it is the best option for me.

As can be imagined, it's been very expensive. I do have insurance through work and also hold short and long-term insurance. The first attack in February blew through the little bit of savings I had from my first 7-night stay. I had to pay my deductible and max out of pocket. Luckily, I had that. So, I'm covered from debilitating medical bills, thankfully.

I have now gotten to the point, as short-term disability only pays about 60 percent of your pay. I work in commission-based pay with a daily rate on top of it. It's a great job and I wouldn't give it up. Unfortunately, short-term disability bases the payout by how many weeks of the year you've been at work and then divides that by the amount of money you've made to figure out the rate to calculate the 60 percent payout. I've missed 9 weeks due to attacks for the first 5 months of this year. So, the pay is based on basically 14 weeks. And I'll be out 6 more from Friday.

Needless to say, there won't be much there. I calculate it will cover my mortgage and my vehicle payment. As it is, I'm selling my scrap metals I've been collecting and a few items to help meet some bills. Every doctor's appointment I go to, I have a copay and medication to purchase. It's the other bills getting me in a bind as I keep adding to my only credit card.

I have my dog, like my brother, and he's top priority to keep fed. Of course, like everyone, the other bills keep coming: electric, water, and insurance. Food and household supplies are expensive. My vehicle is needed to get to appointments and all the normal life things we do as people. Gas is more expensive than ever, along with tires, oil changes, and vehicle insurance. I won't be able to mow my lawn, so I'll have to hire someone to do that while I'm down for 6 weeks till I've been cleared for normal duty.

I have never been someone to ask for help. I have had help when things become tight, but I typically do loans or borrow and repay immediately. My bills have always come first and paid before there is any extra. Cost of living is up, so like the majority, there is not really any extra these days. I decided to try the GoFundMe program because I've run short on options and need help.

To all my family, friends, and acquaintances, if there is anything you can spare or do to help me, I would be forever in your debt and grateful. I have had to take anxiety medication for this last month, not just for the upcoming surgery (I've had several major surgeries in the past and this is just bringing back those memories), but the stress of the looming bills and the debt that has accumulated. I have worked hard to get where I am, and it only takes a blink of the eye to put it all at risk from unforeseen medical issues.

That's where I'm at right now. Not many people know about my situation because I've always been a pretty private person. I don't post to social media, and if we haven't talked on the phone or you haven't seen my sister, then most likely it's unknown. We all handle life in different ways.

Thank you, if you've taken the time to read my story. Warm wishes and prayers even help me. I know I'm not the best at communicating and keeping up with people on Facebook or in person, but that doesn't mean that all the people that have been in my life are forgotten. I've met and made many friendships and value everyone I know.

Thank you for any help, prayers, or well wishes you send my way.