Just under a year ago my life took a dramatic change. I've gotten sick before, naturally we all have, but real sickness, not me. My health, unbeknownst to me, was the only stable consistent thing in my life. I had at this point of my life, never once spent an overnight in a hospital. This was about to change.

Nov. 25, 2024 after calling in the previous week with what felt like a nasty flu, crossed with the fatigue one only associates with running a marathon, I was finally convinced to go to the ER after my final attempt at work Monday morning was meet at the door by my supervisor insisting that I not come back till I had seen a doctor and cleared for work.

Nov. 1, 2025, and I have yet to receive that clearance to return to work. I did go to Regions Hospital and spent 6 hours in the emergency room to be then moved directly to the 6th floor... The Oncology/Cancer Unit. I was sick. Really sick. I walked into the ER 278 pounds, expecting to be given some antibiotics and a quick beratement and hustled along the way. Instead, I lost 84 pounds, could not use my legs, had such bad spasms I could no longer walk, finding myself in a wheelchair, later a walker. The ER doctor who did my original CT scan told me, get as comfortable as I can, I was going to be here awhile he feared.

I had no idea what I was in store for on this journey, or rather not a journey, this war. I say War because that is what it's like. Full of daily battles completely exhausted, fighting for another day, only to lose the battle yet somehow survive the day. There was no waking up the next morning to gameplan with the doctors, as in war sleep was a commodity that didn't come around. The ER doctor was right, it was going to be awhile, and comfort was something that would consistently evade me. For the next 17 days I had every test seemingly known to man. CT scans, MRI's, blood draws, breathing test, EMG nerve test, lymph node biopsies, bone marrow biopsies, at one point I had 4 IVs in me. Two in each arm. I was unable to do anything for myself. I was so close to death, daily. It sucked. For real the first time in my life; Fear. Then the craziest thing happened... the doctors said if I had could make my appointments, I could go home for it was determined I didn't have cancer but an autoimmune disease. So, home I went, but home I did not stay.

Apon arriving home, or rather my angel of an aunt's home, in which I live in and with, I was hit with the stark reality of my condition physically. I needed a walker, a nurse/caretaker/Angel, pee bottle, a shower chair, a tall toilet seat... wtf.

With 6 days till my first doctor's office visit, I did absolutely nothing. Physically I could do nothing, not possible. The day of the appointment I felt horrible. No energy to do anything. I make it to Dr. Vince Tran my rheumatologist, with substantial help. We have the shortest appointment ever. My blood pressure, while sitting in his office was 33/52 and they take that very serious. The door to the room opened and it was the paramedics with the stretcher ready. Ambulance ride to ICU ER. I have a Blood clot in my kidney. This was something new. Eight more days in the hospital.

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I've had a hell of 11 months. I could write war story after war story of the trials I and those close to me have had to endure but not going too. I believe I was blessed with some of the best doctors. They fought to save my life when it was hanging so close. Here today we've added the amazing doctors at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester Minnesota to try and help figure out what is going on with my body. What we do know is I do not have cancer, which is a blessing. What we know is that I have some sort of Auto Immune disease from the family of igG4? what is this... I cannot give you a direct answer to that. I do know what it has done to my life. I lost my ability to walk, only way was with assistance and a walker. Motor skills all but lost, couldn't write my name, speech became an issue. I have regained my ability to walk; motor skills have come back somewhat but the thought of going to work has yet to only be a distant goal. I have always been a Builder, a Fixer, an Engineer, if you can dream it I can build it, if you can break it, I can fix it, that was my moto. I haven't been able to go to work since November 22, 2024. Financially it has been difficult, mentally even more so. I've always been able to fix everything, this I cannot. I'm an obedient, faithful passenger it seems. I won't be stagnant or lethargic in this fight though. I've had the help when I needed it the most in this journey, but as I get ready to start new treatments guided by the hands of Dr. Kenneth Warrington of the Mayo Clinic, I am reaching out to those who are able to lend a helping hand financially.

I thank you for the time you have given my story. You have already given me something valuable. Fanatically able to help, sweet! No that's ok too. I ask for your good energy and your prayers. Spread some smiles today.

Gratefully,

Chad May