Support Recovery from Disability and Medical Costs

Hello Everyone, 

My journey began on December 11th. I went to the emergency room because I couldn’t stop throwing up. I couldn’t keep anything down. After a CT scan, I was diagnosed with a UTI and sent home with antibiotics. At the time, I didn’t know that this was a misdiagnosis. The next day, December 12th, things took a terrifying turn. I fell in my room and couldn’t get back up. I couldn’t even crawl. I stayed with my dad for a few days, hoping the antibiotics would start working, still unaware of the real issue. But my condition didn’t improve — it got worse. On December 17th, I went to a different emergency room. That’s when I was finally admitted to Allegheny Valley Hospital, where I was properly diagnosed: Pancreatitis, a Gastric Lesion, Sepsis, Acute Kidney Injury (AKI), Peripheral Neuropathy, and Macrocytosis. By this point, I had lost almost all control of my body. I couldn’t move. I had to have a catheter inserted because I couldn’t go to the bathroom on my own. At Allegheny Valley, I underwent MRIs, CT scans, and was treated with IV fluids. After a few days, I was transferred to Forbes Hospital on December 21st, and later that same day, to Allegheny General Hospital (AGH), where more extensive testing began. At AGH, I had multiple X-rays, two lumbar punctures, MRIs, and EMGs. I was put on an NPO (nothing by mouth) diet and fed through an NG tube. My heart rate was so high that I had to be placed on oxygen. I couldn’t speak well. I went over two weeks without a bowel movement. My blood was drawn every six hours. I wore foam boots on my feet, rotated every two hours, to prevent foot drop. It was overwhelming and terrifying. But the worst part was feeling trapped in my own body — unable to move, speak, or do anything for myself. On January 7th, I was transferred to West Penn Hospital to begin inpatient rehab. I started physical and occupational therapy — six days a week, three hours a day. In the beginning, progress felt painfully slow. I still needed help eating, moving, changing, even going to the bathroom. But I didn’t give up. Mentally and physically, it was the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I had to relearn everything — things I used to do without even thinking. But with time, effort, and the support of my rehab team, I began to see progress. Eventually, I no longer needed an internal catheter. I was able to eat on my own. I started regaining strength and independence. And on February 14th — Valentine’s Day — I was finally discharged. I’m still recovering, but I’ve come a long way. This experience changed me forever. It tested every part of who I am. But I survived, and I’m proud of how far I’ve come.

I am reaching out to ask for support during a difficult time in my life. Recently, I have been faced with a temporary disability that has left me unable to work.

While I am doing everything I can to recover and regain my independence the loss of income combined with ongoing medical expenses, for prescriptions, physical therapy, and aides for mobility is overwhelming.

I have always prided myself on being self-sufficient, but right now, I need to lean on my community.

My goal is to be able to walk unassisted and to make a full recovery!

Your kindness and support will help me focus fully on healing.

If you are unable to donate, sharing this page with others would mean the world to me. Thank you so much for your compassion, support, and encouragement.