My name is Bridget, and I am currently facing the hardest battle of my life. Many of you know I moved my mom, Diane, to California to oversee her treatment at the University of California, Irvine for Stage 4 bile duct cancer. What many of you may not know is that I have been fighting a severe health collapse of my own. Multiple bouts of COVID and pneumonia caused my Still's disease to spiral out of control, requiring four surgeries in the last year that have exhausted my emergency savings. After my mom’s move, I am now dipping into my retirement funds to pay for continued medical care, treatments, and assistance as I transition to long-term disability. I am asking for help so I can continue to care for my mom while managing my own disabilities.

My Mom’s Fight

My mother is battling Stage 4 cholangiocarcinoma (bile duct cancer). It is a rare, aggressive cancer that behaves very similarly to pancreatic cancer. The treatment is difficult, and the prognosis requires constant vigilance. I am her primary caregiver, managing her appointments, treatment, and daily needs. Being able to move her here was a blessing, but it has required every ounce of energy I have.

My Own Health Crisis

While caring for Mom, my own body has been shutting down. I have been on medical leave for the past year, during which I’ve undergone four surgeries. I have been diagnosed with a "perfect storm" of conditions:

Adult Onset Still’s Disease:

A rare systemic autoinflammatory disease that causes high fevers, fatigue, joint pain, swollen joints, and inflammation of the heart, liver, and lungs.

Primary Immunodeficiency:

A congenital condition which leaves me vulnerable to infections and unable to fight off infections.

Vestibular Schwannoma:

A tumor on the nerve connecting the inner ear to the brain, which affects my balance and hearing.

Hemiplegic Migraine:

I have a rare type of migraine with aura that causes temporary, one-sided weakness or paralysis alongside other neurological symptoms, such as speech and vision problems.

Advanced GERD:

I have GERD that requires surgery and has caused esophagitis, esophageal ulcers, laryngitis, persistent cough, and worsened my asthma.

Due to these conditions and other health issues, I am transitioning to long-term disability. While this provides some protection, it is a significant drop in income at the exact moment our expenses have skyrocketed.

Why We Need Help Now

I have always prided myself on being independent and prepared. I had an emergency fund and significant savings, but the last year of double-medical crises has wiped them out. I have now started withdrawing from my retirement savings to help with expenses, risking my future to survive the present.

The physical toll is also undeniable. I physically cannot keep up with the household tasks required to keep a sterile, safe environment for my mom and me, or to maintain our current pace.

How Your Donation Helps

I am raising funds to cover the gap between my disability payments and our medical reality. Specifically, these funds will go toward:

Essential Home Support:

Hiring help for cleaning, laundry, and organizing. Due to my immune deficiency and my mom’s cancer, a clean home isn't a luxury—it's a medical necessity that I physically can no longer maintain alone.

Service Dog Care:

Hiring a dog walker for my service dog, Libby. She is my lifeline, but my balance issues and fatigue currently make it dangerous for me to give her the exercise she needs.

Medical & Living Expenses:

Covering co-pays (most of our medications are IV infusions or injections), specialized dietary needs, Lyft Silver, etc., so I can stop draining my IRA.

Thank You

It is incredibly difficult to admit that I can no longer do this alone. Any amount you can give helps me continue to ensure my mom gets the care she deserves without sacrificing my own health to provide it.

Thank you for being our village.