Support Sarah's Medical Journey and Family

Greetings Dearest Friends & Family,

It has come to that time in our journey where we are asking for help. Being out of work for over a year has put a huge financial strain on us. Though we make ends meet, the medical bills keep piling up. Treatments and medications are expensive and we often are finding alternative ways to help me cope. As you all know we HATE asking for help. Our family mission has always been to help others; Tim and the kids still do :).

Dealing with this illness has been very stressful to all of us. Rachel works full time and helps by taking the others out, spending quality time with them since I can't. Andrew is working two jobs till he goes to college mid August. He is trying to pay for his materials & essentials so we don't have too, but his tools are expensive and it's a huge chunk of change. Jared and Nate have replaced me in volunteering, take photos of their adventures, maintain the house with the chores I can no longer do, and join me for movies and games in the room :). Tim works tirelessly. He often picks up weekend shifts for extra money, and when he's not running the errands I used to do, he is working in and out of the house; poor guy can't catch a break. We still remain positive, even through the stress, that things will be okay. Our faith has kept us strong and united and we are so blessed by all that have prayed, sent cards, visited, and helped where & how they can. We are so greatful for you!

I will showcase this illness and timeline for those that don't know; as well as keep you all updated on the continued Doctor visits and treatments we are trying to manage my symptoms. I am new to this asking for help and funding platform, so bare with me.

It has been over a year that our lives changed, but we are value our new time together (well at least I do, though I think I drive the kids nuts, haha). Though there is no cure, we are finding ways to help. Right now the headach and body aches are excruciating. The last few months I have been bedridden in darkness & quiet. I started back on gabapentin (we had removed it from my regimen), but the tremors and tingling in arms and legs returned, so we started it again. My double vision makes it hard to watch TV, read & write, and I have very limited driving capability. Energy is non existent. It takes everything to go to the bathroom, shower, or even leave the room. Doing so is like my body has ran a mile, and it goes in recovery. I have gained 65lbs due to medication and lack of exercise, which is mentally tough to accept. My body is always in fight or flight mode, so it stores instead of uses. My doctors are amazing and are determined to help ease symptoms as well as find a cure. We research together and have journaled my journey (including previous medical history to create a time line of when symptoms started). Doing this we have found that prior to last May, I had MANY red flags, but we attributed it to other illnesses. Getting Covid FOUR time, even being vaccinated after the first two times, didn't help. We think the last time I had covid (just a few months before I collapsed), put my body into the tail-spin.

We have learned and experienced so much this last year. If you're able to help, even a little, we are greatful. If you can't, we just ask for prayer. We thank you in advance for following my story and helping us get through this time. We aren't sure what the future holds, but we know that together and with you, we will rise above the pain. Xoxo,

Sarah