Wildly unexpected medical expenses

Hi, my name is Amy and I am currently dealing with a rather large amount of unexpected medical expences for not only myself, but also my cat Vincent. People who know me know I have had back issues for many years, and these have mostly been kept in check with exercise, Advil, and chiropractic. Occasionally I'd have a flare up, but nothing I couldn't work thru on my own. Until Oct 5th. That Friday I woke with major lower back pain and it proceeded to get worse thru out the day with the pain radiating down my leg and my lower back. I was able to get in to see my chiropractor and an adjustment was made and while it enabled me to sort of walk again, it didn't alleviate the pain all that much. The next morning, Saturday, it somehow got worse and kept worsening until I finally gave in and went to the ER. I was quite literally trying not to scream at that point. My lower right leg had gone completely numb with no response when tested. There I was given a shot for pain which helped but then was sent home. Back the next day to the chiro where they said "You need an MRI." I was able to get one on the following Monday morning and it was found out that I have, among other things, a bulging disc, a ruptured disc, and a majorly impinged nerve which is causing the numb rt leg and the weakness that goes with. At this point I spoke with my GP and she gave me two scripts for pain meds and said you need to see a pain clinic. I was able to make that appointment for the 24th of Oct. and was trying to just wait it out until then. As many of you know, I work as a housekeeper, and with a numb leg not only is driving difficult but just sitting in a car for 30+ minutes results in pain. Had I even been able to get to houses going up and down stairs, vacuuming and mopping all would have been difficult and painful. So, while I was waiting to see the pain dr, I was and still am unfortunately out of work. On the morning of the 14th of October while sitting at the table having coffee, I suddenly had sudden massive chest pain. To the point I nearly collapsed. I called 911, got the emt's to come out and proceed to go to the hospital. En route to the ER I was given more pain meds. And this is where I found out that apparently I am highly sensitive to opioids. I had been given tramadol by my regular Dr and due to how it was making me feel on just 1/3 of the proscribed dose, I had reduced the amount again that morning. In the ambulance I was given fentanyl for pain and that was when I began having issues with heart rate and breathing. While in the Er I had a CT scans, chest x-ray and enzyme checks for heart issues and nothing was found. 8 hours later, as near as the Dr could tell it was a gallstone attack. Given that my gallbladder had been previously removed, that wasn't even conclusive it was just his speculation. I was finally cleared of all meds in my system could breath and respond clearly, and was able to go home. Fast forward to the 24th, I go to the pain clinic =, and it is decided that my best option will be a steroid shot. I am currently scheduled to have that the 14th of Nov. Hopefully that will work and fix the still numb leg and pain. If not, then the next option is surgery. Truthfully, I am trying to not even think about that. That covers me. As for my cat, Vinnie, I noticed he was acting out of sorts and not urinating well on Friday the 27th. I got him into the vet and it turns out he had a bladder full of stones. He had surgery on Monday the 30th to remove all the stones from his bladder and flush it out. He's home now and being watched to make sure he makes a good recovery.

This has been a month of all tricks and absolutely zero treats I'm afraid. I have applied for Medicaid, but do not qualify. I am trying to get into the ACA healthcare system when open enrollment happens on Nov 1st. If I am able to do that, I think it will help some with medical bills going forward, but unfortunately will not cover these previous ones. I am also looking into financial aid for the pain management via the hospital. Again, should I get qualified, that should help with bills going forward. The amount I am asking seems a lot but in truth that is literally just the medical expences I have had and does not include anything further, or includes house bills like utilities, food or even the vet bills. Any monies I receive, be it all or just a few, will be going solely towards paying off those expenses so that I am not completely inundated and have some chance to stay above water while I hopefully can get treated, heal and can either get back to work or figure out my next move. Any extra will go towards my cat's vet bill. I'll include a list of the amounts below that I am currently responsible for as well as upcoming that I am aware of. Thank you all for reading this, I genuinely hate that it's even come to asking, but I can't go any further at this point. Please feel free to share, and again, thank you for any help you care to give. No amount is too small, and all will be gratefully appreciated.

Chiro visit: 75.00

Er 1st: 1,500.00

ER 2nd: 6,500.00

Pain Management Appt 1st: 285.00

Prescriptions 125.00

Current Med Total 8,485.00

Steroid injection (Nov 14th) starting average uninsured cost 2000.00

Expected medical minimum total : 10,485.00

Vinnie

1st visit 700.00

2nd w surgery 980.00

Total: 1,680.00

Total for this month 12,165.00

If you'd rather donate directly to my pay pal, my address is [email redacted] (dot) com

Again, thank you. For reading and donating and sharing.