¡Help Jax Recover from Medical Crises!

Thank you for visiting my fundraising page. I am in a devastating set of circumstances and am in need of community aid.

It means the world to me that you are taking the time to read about the adversities I’ve faced. Your support would literally help me afford to stay alive.

I'm reaching out to ask for your help in raising funds to cover my medical expenses and bills. Despite facing numerous health crises, I’ve remained determined to create a healthy, sustainable lifestyle for myself. I have done everything I can possibly think of to avoid this, and am now unsure how I'll make it through the next month, let alone year.

Your generosity will make a significant difference in my life, allowing me to focus on my recovery and future goals. All gifts will go towards helping me stay on top of my bills, maintain my medical care, and give me space to figure out income. I intended to launch a content creation business focusing on health equity, however my business partner (and best friend of 16 years) bailed on the launch date and stole $1,000 from me. Friendship over!

I will be making adult content for income because it is basically my only option right now however, my health is poor enough that I won't be able to live off this income for a while. As I have more capacity, I will incorporate the original health equity into mission, but this detour is needed to ensure my survival.

Thank you for supporting me on this journey!

January 18th, 2024

I made a quick trip to the bathroom shortly after finishing work.

*screaming in agony* intense pain and a strange sensation in my abdomen.

I stood up.

A cold, numb sensation started spreading from my lower abdomen, down my legs.

I felt weak, like I was about to collapse, whispering, “please just let me grab my emergency items, please don’t faint, please let me make it to my bed,” over and over.

My abdomen looked like a mountain range, pain was causing me to collapse regularly, my temperature ranged from 95.8-100.8, and I couldn’t use the restroom or eat.

After spending 10 hours at the hospital, I discovered my umbilical hernia had popped open causing subcutaneous fat and small intestine to bulge through my hernia. It was visible, a small green and yellow growing area near my navel. I was barely functional for weeks after this medical emergency.

The week after my Hematologist progressed lab work necessary to clear me for heart surgery. Two weeks after that my Neuro-Oncologist advanced Multiple Sclerosis (MS) diagnostic protocols.

At this point, and for the immediate future, I could not go back to work. I experienced so much malaise I couldn’t take care of my basic needs. I was too exhausted to shower more than every 3 days. I was too exhausted to walk to the kitchen, put food on a plate, and heat it up. I couldn’t stay on top of my meds, which I’ve been taking for years and never fallen off. I couldn’t even get out of bed most days. I was just waiting for MS treatment to start, so I could feel better and return to work.

February, 2024

I started the interactive accommodation process with my employer the TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT. I was told if I can’t return to work when my PTO is out, I’d lose my job.

I put together an accommodation packet and negotiations lasted through the end of February. At this point, I was working part-time. In our interaction, I was told my accommodation request and following alternative ideas were unreasonable.

Some of the things that were called unreasonable were working part-time, how my titration of hours was mapped out, adjusting job responsibilities, and I was told I’m not a good fit for any possible upcoming vacancies by people who never looked at my resume or have any knowledge of my work history (which is extensive). During negotiations, they hired someone for a job I am qualified for.

I was told I need to go back to work, after an unpaid leave, without the accommodations I need and requested by my doctors.

The TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT then contested my unemployment, repeatedly AND tried to force me to resign. I experienced disability discrimination and couldn't pursue legal recourse because the non-profit has less than 50 employees, is not regulated by any government body, and I was a couple month's shy of qualifying for FMLA. The family leave policy at the TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT wasn't made available to me.

I lost income in March. I lost insurance in June and because I was told I'd lose insurance at the end of May I had to fill out assistance applications 3 times, since TEXAS CIVIL RIGHTS PROJECT didn't inform me that weren't cancelling my insurance when they said they would. I ended up losing out on a lot of care I could have received had they accurately communicated when I would lose my insurance.

Now back to the long winded story. I have been sick all of my life, and started experiencing health crises on a rolling basis in 2017. I didn’t realize I was experiencing health crises until 2021-2022, when I nearly lost my life.

2017

I moved to Maui and shortly after my health started to decline significantly. I was nearly fainting multiple times a day on a regular basis, experiencing excruciating pelvic pain, and debilitating malaise that compromised my ability to drive.

I saw numerous professionals who were handling my care poorly. A PCP tried to put me on antidepressants after sharing that I had 8 periods in 10 weeks and was pursuing an endometriosis diagnosis, without any discussion around my mental health. Then the only gyno on the island performed exploratory surgery they did not conduct a biopsy nor provide photos of what she removed from my body. Later I found out there were more gynos on the island. The only GI specialist performed an endoscopy/colonoscopy I called to do a follow up appointment and their office was closed, not only had they moved off the island they did not give me the opportunity to acquire the results or report.

I went through a year and half of these kinds of doctor visits, there seemed to be more problems than answers. More health issues building on each other and less solutions.

October, 2018

I showed all the signs of having experienced a TIA and was told I’d need heart surgery. I immediately moved back to Houston in search of answers.

When I moved, my health was terrible. I was sleeping anywhere from 10-17 hours a night and could barely keep my eyes open during the day. Every day I woke up feeling like I was hit by a truck, and that feeling never went away.

I still hustled my ass off, bartending 6 nights a week, volunteering 2 days a week, studying and being tutored for the GRE, and working hard on my application for graduate school. I got into the only program I applied for and was ecstatic about earning my Masters in Social Work.

Now I realize I was further damaging my body.

November, 2019

An elderly friend of mine was hospitalized and died shortly after. I picked him up from the hospital, cared for him, and got sick as well. A few months later we learned about Covid-19 and I was surprised because I showed all of those symptoms back in November.

June, 2020

I caught a confirmed case of Covid-19 and haven’t been the same since.

When my flares started around 2006, I would suddenly become barely functional for an indefinite amount of time (days, weeks) several times a year, but I planned around it. Over the years, the gaps between flares have shortened and flares lengthened. Once I caught Covid-19, I’ve been sick non-stop with symptoms that constantly oscillate.

However I was determined and resilient to accomplish my goals. I started grad school and was juggling all of those responsibilities with my health worsening.

December, 2020

I had an emergency surgery to remove an endometrioma (blood cyst) that was larger than and attached to my left ovary. The doctor also removed tissue, biopsied it, and confirmed endometriosis (endo). I started exhibiting endo and adenomyosis symptoms when I was about 10 years old and received my diagnosis at 30. This is when I started documenting my medical journey.

I contacted the surgeon 2 months later with concerns about the incision site at my navel. He mansplained belly button folds to me and said to get a second opinion to quell my anxiety.

Shortly after, another doctor removed a foreign object from beneath my navel. I tried contacting the previous surgeon only to discover that my messages/emails would not go through, I was blacklisted.

At this point, I was working an internship in the Texas Legislature and excited about my career trajectory.

October, 2021

I finished the internship, and had to quit a part-time job, with Meals on Wheels, due to my health.

It was the middle of the night. I was in bed, trying to fall asleep, when a lightning bolt of pain started to spread through my lower abdomen. My abdomen was spasming violently and spreading. The previous surgeon didn’t remove all the disease. This is how the health crisis that changed my life began.

I was desperate and terrified. Crying uncontrollably at my PCP’s office repeatedly saying, “I can’t go through this again! I can’t do it! I can’t go through another endo flare!”

Fortunately, it only took 3 months to have my next endo removal surgery, with a hysterectomy. I was confident in this surgeon because they were taught by a leading endo specialist and both were heavily promoted in support/advocacy groups.

I couldn’t care for myself. I couldn’t keep up with personal hygiene, I couldn’t prepare meals, I couldn’t walk, I could barely stand. My whole body was shutting down. All day, every day, I felt like I was dying.

During this timeframe I lost my housing due to my health. I could no longer access my home due to stairs, could no longer afford it, and expected recovery to be rough. I delayed my graduation by a year and moved in with family. I had to move out as soon as I was cleared for normal activity, to get away from the emotional abuse I was experiencing. I moved in with a best friend and could not be more grateful for the wonderful roommates she and her husband were.

March 2022

After my surgery, I started feeling better and was engaging in more activity for a couple months. Then the malaise set back in. At this point, my care team and I thought I had CFS/ME instead of POTS and we made adjustments.

July 2022

I took a short-term job that required traveling throughout Texas for 5 months. I had about $12k of debt from my health crisis when I started the job and paid it off by December. My health was continuing to degrade, causing unexpected severe flares that required randomly taking time off work and working in bed when I could.

February, 2023

I applied for a dream job. Assistant Clerk on the Select Committee on Health Care Reform. I was the top candidate and got the job. I secured free housing with a very kind family in Austin and set up for a friend to use my space to help me out with rent. 

2 weeks into the new job, I ended up in the hospital. I had severe abdominal pain for 5 days and finally couldn’t take it anymore. Turns out my transcending colon was narrowing however, it was clear my endo was flaring again. The previous surgeon did not remove all the disease.

I was devastated and scared. I had to quit the job and immediately address the endo or else things could get worse than they did last time, and I almost died last time. How would I support myself? I just signed a lease. I’m about to finish grad school. What am I going to do?

March, 2023

Just a couple days later, I received a call recruiting me for another dream job. The job would be supporting the president of a civil rights non-profit.. It would be completely remote, with some travel, and flexibility for my health needs. Perfect!

I moved back to Houston, started the new job immediately, delayed graduation again, and reached out to one of the best endo surgeons in the world. I was kicking ass at my job and switched from contracted to a full-time employee right before my excision surgery.

I had to see a different surgeon because the previous one suggested a hysterectomy as a next step; they forgot they had already performed a hysterectomy. They also told me it was unlikely endo and I should try pelvic floor therapy for a few months.

July, 2023

Dr. Vidali was amazing! On our first consult he pointed out things in my MRI that I knew existed, but no one had confirmed before. He is knowledgeable, explains things, answers questions, gives out his mobile number, and really listens. He offered interventions that were never offered to me before, explaining the benefits, and they improved my quality of life dramatically.

This time around recovery felt different. I wasn’t experiencing a resurgence of symptoms like I had in the past. However, I was experiencing symptoms that continued to worsen. From July 2023 onward, I was constantly sick.

I left my apartment because I was positive there was mold and the office wasn’t accommodating me appropriately during the health crisis and recovery. I moved in with a friend and tried to move out in December, but the home wasn’t ready for occupancy.

December 27, 2023

I went to urgent care due to flank pain, bladder pain, and abdominal pain. No answers

December 28, 2023

I went to the ER due to the same symptoms. They said I have a bad UTI. I told them I think something else is going on. I was given bladder antibiotics and sent home.

January 18, 2024

Now we’re back to where the story started.

I have about $25K of debt associated with my health crisis that I cannot seem to get on top of. The week I made a $10K payment, I also had to pay for over $8K of medical expenses. As soon as I pay anything off, I have more bills, services, assistive devices, medication, etc that I need to pay for. And, my cost of living is higher than most because it is so hard for me to care for myself.

I am now at a point where I am almost out of funds. I can't be productive in a way that brings in livable income. I just ran out of my medication because my Neuro's office never sent in paperwork they weren't supposed to have sent in early June so I can continue receiving medication w/o insurance and I'm am quite literally terrified that I won't survive the year.

July 2024 update

I have medication

Impacted by hurricane beryl

Experiencing housing instability due to unsafe environment

I now have a cat which is financially irresponsible AF but psychologically/mentally/emotionally necessary. She’s perfect

Thank you for reading my story. I appreciate the time and effort that you have taken to learn about me and my medical hardship. Your contributions will directly support me in managing my daily living expenses and ensuring I can continue my medical treatments.

I'll be making adult content as a way to bring in income but considering the circumstances of my life, I don't know if I'll actually be able to make enough content to support any of my financial needs.

I am eternally grateful for all of your kindnessand support.

Cashapp: $Gheorgheouss

Venmo: @gheorgheous

*content accounts provided for donations on other platforms to protect my personal information*