Unsuspected Health Scare

I have never asked for help for anything a day in my life, and I hate having to do so now, but I'm truly at a loss and could really use some support. I do not have family or anybody in my life that can help support me through this.

After about 15 months of being literally constantly sick from exposure to sick children, my immunity was floored, and without even realizing something was very wrong, I went to bed on a thursday night, and 40 hours later, by 2pm on that Saturday, I was in my local ER because I felt something was very wrong! I got there to find out I was at 104 fever, had double bacterial pneumonia, my upper lobe in my right lung was fully concentrated with it, and my body was in full septic shock.

I was tested for luekemia, amongst dozens & dozens of other things, because my white cell count was more than double what it should have been, even with the pneumonia & sepsis. My white count was nearly 48,000 and the doctors were stunned that I was lucid, let alone alive. They told me that if I had waited just another 8-12 hours to bring myself in, my organs likely wouldve damaged beyond repair and would have failed, killing me.

The human body carries levels of something called "procalcitonin," which indicate infection in one's bloodstream. A healthy human who has no blood infection or sepsis, maintains at a .1 or maybe .2 level of procalcitonin, max. My procalcitonin tested at a 44. I was Extremely sick!

My right kidney was in full accute failure by the time I'd hit my local ER, and my left was not far behind. My liver and spleen sustained some mild accute sepsis damage and were inflammed, and my local ER decided to admit me into the hospital, given the nature of my case & instability.

However, just as they made this decision, my blood began to thin because my clotting factors started failing, my blood pressure suddenly plummeted to 43/21, and they immediately decided they could not admit me locally, as I needed ICU admission and care, because they just werent certain what exactly was going on with me.

Because my blood pressure and heart rate were dropping so rapidly, they had to install and stitch into me, a main line IV through my jugular vein, which has a long line that feeds right down directly to your heart, so they could administer Epinephrine to keep my heart pumping and keep my pressure from plummeting so low my heart would stop.

I spent 10 hours in my local ER, to then be Ambulance emergency transported to Meriters ICU, to then be Ambulance transferred again 24 hours later to St. Marys Pulmonary IMCU floor, where I spent almost 4 more days working with a hospitalist, pulmonologist, hematologist and even addressed briefly with oncology to rule out anything under that awful possibility.

After almost 6 days in several hospitals, 2 Ambulance transports and uncountable tests, IVs, blood draws, meds and imaging, I was finally released home.

Since being home, I've had two additional ER visits, as well as 3 primary care clinic appointments, an Echocardiogram with Cardiology and an Abdominal Ultrasound to address complications I've had since....one being anemia that won't seem to go away and they cant figure out why or where the blood loss is, and due to elevated liver function, thats now finally seemingly back to normal value. The two additional ER visits and seeing my pulmonologist for follow up were for a post hospital complication I experienced, diagnosed as Erythema Nodosum. (Severe, painful edema and swelling, accompanied by painful lesions on the skin with low grade fever & elevated heart rate. My resting rate was getting up to 120-170) This is apparently a secondary immuno-relative complication to severe infections.

I am only now, 2.5 months later, seemingly starting to level back out in my health. But unfortunately, taking on a job that I loved and always wanted as a career path, was a slow, unsuspected lead to my demise there. As much as I loved it, the constant exposure to the ill children with no policies enforced to protect others, literally almost killed me. Needless to say, I was unable to return. Nor did I want to after such a terrifying scare!

To add insult to injury, this childcare employer at the time did not offer health insurance, so I had a high deductible, not great health plan through marketplace.

So far, I have received close to $40,000 in medical bills from this whole ordeal, and I am still awaiting the bills for the 2nd Ambulance transfer, the ICU stay at Meriter, and 3 of my 4 total ER visits. So when all is said and done, I guesstimate my total medical bill expense will fall between $60,000-$90,000.

Again, I am never one to ask for help from anyone. I work full time, always have, pay my bills, use no kind of assistance whatsoever in any form. It hurts my pride to do so, but the stress of the physical aspect of this event, all I've been going through, plus the financial stress, is proving to be too much for me.

I am beyond grateful for what my health plan has covered thus far, but so far, of the bills I have received (not including the ones I'm still pending, mentioned above), I am already responsible for $6,400 out of my pocket, and more, new bills come every week in my mail.

This has been one of the scariest things I've ever faced in life, and I wouldn't even be able to adequately begin to know how to express my gratitude and thankfulness to anyone who can find it in their heart to help me ease the stress of this, even a little. Every bit helps, and want to thank you for even taking the time to read through my story. May you be blessed in good health and happiness. And to those who can find the ability to help by donation.... I will NEVER forget how you've helped me and I cannot express enough the love I have for such a kindness by another. Please know you will have forever touched my heart, and helped a person through one of their roughest times!

You are all Amazing.

Thank you!

(Photos included are CT scan of my lungs, particularly the right upper lobe where the pneumonia was very condensed. And then a few pics of the Edema and Erythema Nodosum complications.)