My name is Tamika Goodgame, and I was recently diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis after suffering from numbness, fatigue, and poor balance. Unfortunately, this happened right after my whole family was diagnosed with Covid, all except for me. I had to quarantine my family and focus my time on caring for all five of them. My husband and I were out of work and my hours at work decreased. This ordeal has placed a serious financial, mental and physical strain on my family. It would be a tremendous blessing to receive donations for my medical bills.

◦ Before the news of my diagnosis, I was working as a health care professional and I just started my own business (Unlocked Natural Products). Then out of nowhere, I began to feel fatigued and I had no energy. I thought that if I regrouped and got some rest I would be ok, but I remained tired.

◦ One day I noticed my feet became numb and the numbness rose to my waist. I watched closely for a few days and on September 17th I went to the ER because the numbness persisted. The doctors nor myself knew what was happening to me. They sent me home and referred me to a neurologist but before I could get an appointment, which was out as far as January, the symptoms got even worse. I made an appointment with my regular doctor hoping they could get me in with a neurologist sooner. In the meantime, the numbness began to rise above my waist.

◦ When brought to the attention of a family friend that’s a nurse, She advised me to go back to the ER on September 23rd. They ran a test on me for Guillain-Barré which is a very serious condition that could take my life if we didn’t act fast. Right away they began lab work, CAT scans, MRIs, Spinal taps, etc. They admitted me into the hospital. I began plasma treatment to stop the spread of Guillain-Barre Syndrome. While going through treatment, doctors found some spots on my brain and a few lesions on my spine. Which raised concerns for Multiple sclerosis or Neuromyelitis Optica. Once again they advised me to see a neurologist to start more testing for these disorders in particular.

◦ I’m keeping my faith and pushing through physical therapy treatment to gain my strength back. I’m trying not to worry about my bills and how I’m going to feed my family but it’s impossible to make ends meet. Anything you can do financially to help would be a blessing.