I’m putting my pride aside and finally accepting the fact that I need help. Since Halloween my family has experienced one medical crisis after another. Halloween night I myself went into acute liver failure. Since then I have had surgery on my liver and pancreas to fix the issue, but I’ve been left with a damaged liver because of it. During my initial hospital stay my oldest son, Mason, was in a serious car accident. I left the hospital against medical advice to be with my son at Shock Trauma. Thank God he walked away with minor injuries. His truck is totaled and because of that, I am his transportation to and from work every day. Then in the middle of January my husband, Darrell, was admitted to the hospital with severe bleeding that required two blood transfusions. It was found that he has internal hemorrhoids and he was sent home with medication. One day later Darrell developed cellulitis at his IV site which required an intense antibiotic regimen. Not even a month later he is back in the hospital because he is now hemorrhaging. He’s received 3 bags of blood, one plasma and two iron transfusions. Unfortunately this time his heart, lungs, and lower extremities have been impacted by the sudden loss of blood. Upper Chesapeake is now working in conjunction with GBMC to come up with a surgical solution. We have also not been immune to the onslaught of respiratory infections plaguing our community. We’ve had Flu A, Flu B, and pneumonia all since Christmas. I am the only one working and with my liver being so sick it’s difficult to do. But I do, every day, no matter if I’m on the verge of passing out or not- I go to work. Being self employed doesn’t leave me with any sick or personal time to utilize in a situation like this. Darrell will be out of work for the foreseeable future. It’s taken a lot for me to do this because I know all too well how everyone is struggling. If you could donate I appreciate it but if not- I feel ya! Prayers and good vibes are always welcome. Thank you to everyone who has done anything for us during these last few months. I love you, I really do.

— Mariah