Support Donald's Recovery & Treatment

My name is Donald Curry. I am a Computer Science Major with almost 4 years of education at Florida Polytechnic University in Lakeland, Florida. In February of 2019, a week after my 20th birthday I passed out unexpectedly at work. I went home with a high-fever and immense pain. After going to the emergency room that day, CAT Scans showed that I had a severe abscess, or infection, inhabiting my body. I was recommended care at St.Joseph's Hospital in Tampa and was promptly hospitalized. I will not detail all 4 subsequent hospital visits here, nor the exact details of the pain that persisted throughout that year. In the process of trying to drain and halt the infection 4 times and discharging me, only for it to return stronger a week later and for me to be admitted again I spent months in St.Joseph's Hospital. Throughout the process I did everything I could to further my education remotely- very much similar to the current situation surrounding COVID-19.  After the infection was successfully removed in January, it left a large hole inside of my body that as a result of multiple invasive surgeries formed into a Fistula. This 'Fistula' is a wound that is very difficult for the body to heal- and very much a complication from surgery. It has to be held open with a plastic drain so that it can heal properly, and causes great discomfort every waking hour. In order for the surgical site to heal, I also received a temporary ostomy to aid in keeping the surgical-site clean. This aspect of my recovery specifically has had a negative affect on my mental health, and caused a lot of physical discomfort throughout. I look forward to it being reversed. My physical condition post-surgery has prevented me from working at Sam's Club (in tandem with the threat of COVID-19) or doing any strenuous activity. A combination of support from my family and doing freelance programming work online has helped me reach ends meet throughout this process. I am thankful to God for their love and support as well as the capabilities my education has granted me allowing me to make a little extra money. As of June, multiple check ups throughout my recovery have shown that the Fistula cannot heal naturally and must be closed manually through surgery- adding another prospective procedure besides the reversal of the Ostomy. I was informed last month that before the Ostomy is reversed, Dr. Myers wanted to ensure that I did  not have any form of Irritable Bowel Disease as she suspected it may have been the cause of my initial infection. Her and my Colorectal Surgeon Dr. Mompi required a colonoscopy that was performed on June 30th. This colonoscopy revealed that I did have a form of Irritable Bowel Disease, and that it was the cause of my initial infection as well as complications after discharge. I was diagnosed with Crohn's Disease. I will be meeting with Dr. Myers to schedule the surgeries that will reverse the Ostomy and manually close the Fistula as soon as possible. I do not know if I will be able to continue to perform freelance programming work to supplement my expenses due to the potential of extended hospitalization that is imminent. Dr. Myers estimated the recovery period to be 6 months post-surgery at a minimum. As I am in my 4th year of College, your support will allow me to maintain housing in Lakeland, Florida in order to finish my education at Florida Polytechnic University in the upcoming Fall Semester, return to work at Sam's Club after I recover so that I may support myself financially up until I graduate, and be able to resume the physical activity I have enjoyed throughout my life. I believe I will be admitted for surgery during October. God willing my surgery and subsequent recovery will go well. The blessing of your support will help secure a safe recovery, and allow me to continue my education and career even after the difficult year and a half I have had since my 20th birthday. Thank you so much for your empathy and consideration.