Support a Nurse's Fight Against Vasculitis

Hello,

If you are reading this, thank you for your time. It’s one thing we cannot get back. I’m hesitant to share my story but as a nurse who is passionate about being a patient advocate, I’m now the patient and need an advocate. I have a recent diagnosis of one of the most rare and fatal autoimmune diseases out of the 80 autoimmune diseases. It’s called Vasculitis and my fighter cells are mistakenly attacking and inflaming my arteries and vascular system. Almost a year ago, I was also diagnosed with a fractured spine, 3 vertebrae that my spine surgeon called pathological unstable fractures. Meaning the injury alone did not cause the fracture. He ordered an MRI to rule out cancer and told me that I need a full spinal fusion. I have not been able to see my doctors in almost a year and I have not had the MRI, the surgery, the angiogram, colonoscopy, or consistent access to the medications necessary to treat the disease. I’m embarrassed to share this but if you know me well, you know that I don’t have a family support system and I’m recently divorced with no savings for these emergencies. Ethically, I cannot continue my career at this time because I cannot safely give CPR. Losing my nursing role is extremely painful for me, as it made me happy helping others and I promised my grandma Mitzi I would treat every patient like they were her, merely days before her passing. I would appreciate any donation or kind words so much. I’m in this unique vulnerable position where I cry from the help I have had and it’s about joy but also a small part of wishing my own family treated me they way others do. This is deeply personal and I really want to fight what is happening to my body. Since it has been a year of pain and waiting, I am ready to accept help from my true family, my friends. Thank you for reading about my situation and I’m happy to explain more detail about the symptoms I’ve experienced and continue to. One of which is losing my hair that I finally appreciated. Ps: I’m not trying to blame the divorce or my family for anything, it’s just part of my story and as hard as this is to share with people, I’m scared. I have seen so much as a nurse and vet tech and this is the first time I’ve been really scared. I’m going to post some pictures of stages in my disease process and doctors orders for tests and my diagnosis, so there is no doubt about how powerful your donation is to me. I’m so grateful. I have lived in Costa Rica since my then spouse and I moved here January 2022 and my doctors information I’ll provide will be in Spanish despite them having education in the states. It is easy to see the words vasculitis and imaging studies for the specific spine area fractured. Please contact me if there are any questions. I’ve never done this before nor did I ever think I would need to.

sincerely,

Jenna Swit