I'm terrible at these things, both because I never thought I would have to do one of these, but more so that I am writing this about the love of my life. Here it goes.

Everything in our lives was great. We weren't rich or well off, but we were healthy. Then suddenly, Kaiti got sick with Influenza A, and that suddenly developed into pneumonia. Overnight, she was in the ER and Life-Flighted to OHSU in the middle of the night and on a ventilator.

She has been fighting for her breath and to heal, making great strides, but every step forward seems like there is a step back, and sometimes two steps back. She had plenty of PTO, sick time, etc., to cover the last two weeks of being out of work, and has enough for the next two, but then she is out of paid time.

I have also used up my sick and PTO I had trying to be by her side during this and have had to return to work, only getting to see her when I am off work or on weekends.

It is looking like Kaiti will not be returning to work for some time due to recovery and most likely rehab to get back up and running once she is free of the ICU.

Because of this, the scary medical bills we will have when this is all done, as well as the limited pay we will hopefully get from FMLA, I am having to ask for help.

Like many, we are a two-income household that lives from paycheck to paycheck and are excited when we have $50 left in the bank the day before we get paid.

Any money received would help us pay off the medical bills as well as make sure bills are paid while Kaiti is not working, ensuring that she can focus on healing and not our financial situation when she needs to.