Hey my name is MacKenzie, I am 46 years old and I am a high school teacher in Saint Lucie County, FL. I am reaching out for help as I am currently in the middle of an unexpected medical emergency. 

I had a pain on my right side for months; with my history of kidney stones I just thought it was a kidney stone hanging out in my kidney but not blocking anything, so I ignored it. On Wednesday, January 31st, 2024, I finally decided to go to the ER to have it checked out. Turns out I have a giant retroperitoneal mass that also goes around my spine and many vital organs. I was in the hospital January 31st to February 7th where I had multiple blood tests, two CT scans, and an MRI. We do not know yet whether it is cancer or not. (**Edit: we have since found out it IS cancer. Please see updates) Because the mass is so complex, I was referred out to Moffitt Cancer Center in Tampa where I had another CT scan, and a biopsy scheduled for March 1, 2024. 

 

I am reaching out for help because I have no idea how long this process will take, or how long I will be out of work. I am out of sick time so some amazing coworkers have donated some of their PTO; I will receive pay until February 23, 2024. I still have bills to pay and I have no idea when I will be able to return to work. I am currently in the process of applying for long-term disability, however that will not cover all my expenses. As I am sure you are probably aware, it is difficult for single, unmarried teachers to live any way other than paycheck to paycheck. So an unexpected emergency like this can be detrimental to one’s living conditions. 

If you have made it this far in reading my post, THANK YOU AND I GREATLY APPRECIATE YOU! Any and all help will be greatly appreciated, whether it’s money donated or a page share, it all helps. Thank you for taking the time to read this. I love you! 

MacKenzie