Hi everyone, my name is Kristi and I'm reaching out to the community for help. In the summer of 2023, I suffered a brain hemorrhage due to at-the-time undiagnosed brain tumors. Since that time, I've continued to work to the best of my ability because I truly loved my job as a nurse at the Center for Refugees, however, unfortunately my health has declined steadily and I am now unable to work.

The type of tumors I have are called cavernomas. They are not cancerous, but they chronically bleed causing hemorrhages in the brain which cause damage each time they bleed. I'd estimate I've had around 3 or 4 "major" brain hemorrhages and countless "micro-bleeds." My largest and most frequently problematic tumor is on my brain stem. It is inoperable. The symptoms I get during a bleed are things like difficulty speaking, understanding speech, dizziness, trouble swallowing, numbness/tingling along one side of my body -- basically, they are stroke symptoms as a brain hemorrhage is a type of stroke. Because of my condition I also have chronic and lasting extreme fatigue, migraines, and very poor memory. These things severely impacted my ability to work safely and regularly.

I'd been cutting down my hours at work more and more until recently, a few months ago, I was let go due to my office no longer being able to accommodate my seriously decreased work hours. I shouldn't have been working at all anymore, but I just didn't want to face that reality and leave the job and friends I loved behind. I was already struggling terribly financially due to only being able to work 10 hours per week, and I was afraid of what would happen if I couldn't work at all anymore. I have a son to support at home as well, and the thought was too much to bear so I just continued working until I couldn't anymore.

Unfortunately, that time has finally come. I've been struggling so much financially and while I am working on applying for all types of benefits and assistance, the process is neither easy nor quick, and my bills are piling up and becoming delinquent. My cell phone is currently turned of and only works on wifi, which will also be turned off soon if it can't get paid. This means I can't make any calls. My car insurance was cancelled and my car is in danger of being repossessed any day now. My son has needs that I haven't been able to fulfill, and it breaks my heart.

I am asking for any support you can give, whether a donation or a share, to help make life actually survivable while I try to figure out my future.

Thank you for your time and support!