Writer In Health Crisis Needs Financial Assistance
THE SHORT VERSION
WHO I AM: Hi there. My name is Eric Webb. I’m a chronically ill, nerdy writer living in Los Angeles, CA.
WHAT I NEED: Financial assistance to get into a new apartment by the end of the month, so I can avoid homelessness and remain in LA so I can access health care while I am being treated for serious illnesses. My health insurance is tied to California, so staying with family out-of-state is not feasible at this time.
WHY I NEED IT: I have a chronic disease called Cushing’s Syndrome, am unable to work, and living off SSI. I recently had a major flare-up in combination with a life-threatening cellulitis infection which has limited my mobility and ability to care for myself. I need help so I can get my partner out to LA to help care for me while he continues to look for employment after just graduating from college last month.
HOW MUCH: $7,000 (See full breakdown below.)
WHEN I NEED IT: ASAP. I have to be out of my current apartment by January 28. Currently, I can barely manage simple activities like showering, laundry, and shopping, so the sooner I can get assistance the better.
THE LONG VERSION
SOME BACKGROUND: Unfortunately, just six months after moving to LA in 2014 to take a dream job working for one of my creative heroes, Clive Barker, I developed a chronic health condition called Cushing's Syndrome. It's an endocrinological condition where your body makes too much cortisol resulting in a variety of issues ranging from chronic pain and fatigue, inflammation/weight gain, edema, a compromised immune system, exacerbated allergies/asthma, and low testosterone.
It took two years just to diagnose the condition, during which my symptoms got worse and I was eventually too sick to work thanks to coughing fits that would cause me to briefly lose consciousness. My condition deteriorated precipitously in spring 2017 when a life-threatening cellulitis infection coupled with a severe Cushing's flare-up, that saw me put on 30 lbs. of water weight in just a few weeks, landed me in the hospital for a month (3 hellish weeks of which were actually spent in a poorly-run nursing home) on Vancomycin, an IV antibiotic followed by several months of recovery at home.
After a two and a half year battle with the Social Security Administration (and almost dying), I was finally able to get on Disability at the end of 2018 and start working on stabilizing my life and my health. 2020 was supposed to be the year I saw a bunch of new specialists in the hopes of coming up with new treatment options, but then the pandemic happened and most non-essential care got put on hold, not to mention that because I'm already immunocompromised with severe breathing issues, I can't risk going out much. If I get COVID, my prospects are not good.
WHAT’S GOING ON NOW: In October, my roommate got a great job opportunity and left LA and me alone in the apartment just as my health began to decline sharply. I had already endured a kidney stone for six months, which finally passed in early October, just days before I was scheduled for surgery.
Within a few weeks, I had a major Cushing’s flare-up and developed cellulitis, the same life-threatening combo that hospitalized me for a month in March/April, 2017. This time I put on 45 lbs of water weight in just over a month which has put a huge strain on my body, limiting my mobility and ability to care for myself. I’ve been through two courses of the strongest antibiotics I can take in pill form and the infection on my leg has begun to clear up, but the other symptoms have persisted.
I can barely manage to shower, do laundry, or shop for food. Just this past weekend, I collapsed on the stairs while trying to carry groceries up from my parking spot to my apartment and had to get help from a neighbor. On top of all of this, I had to deal with a bed bug infestation in November and December, which required me to do a lot of exhausting physical work prepping the apartment for a heat treatment, which only exacerbated my condition. Even though I could clearly benefit from round-the-clock care, because I’m high-risk for COVID-19, my GP is adamant that I try to stay away from hospitals during the current spike in cases.
I have friends that want to help, but understandably don’t want to endanger me or themselves by breaking quarantine. After three months on my own during this health crisis, which has tested my resolve and impacted my mental health as well as my physical well-being, I have come to a humbling, but undeniable conclusion. I can’t get through this on my own.
On top of all this, I have to move out of my apartment by January 28 and am in a pretty dire situation financially. Leaving the city to stay with family out-of-state isn’t really a viable option, as my health insurance, Medi-Cal, is tied to California and I need to have access to my doctor, specialists, and if necessary, emergency care, to have the best chance at making a full recovery.
WHAT I NEED: My amazing partner, Thomas, who I haven't seen in person since May due to the pandemic, had planned to join me in Los Angeles as soon as he found a job, but I really need him here sooner to help take care of me while I recuperate. He’s wanted to come before now, but he just graduated from UVA a month ago and has understandably been concerned about making the move without first finding employment.
I'm asking for help in raising money to cover the deposit and first two months of rent and bills at a new apartment, so that Thomas can go ahead and make the move out here now and keep looking for work while also helping to care for me.
These estimates are based on current listings for a two bedroom apartment in the LA area. In case anyone is wondering, we’re looking for a two bedroom because we will both likely be working from home for the foreseeable future and need a dedicated office space.
$4,200 Rent ($2100 x 2)
$2,100 Deposit
$400 Bills ($200 x 2)
$150 Movers
$150 U-Haul Rental
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$7,000 TOTAL
If I exceed my goal, any extra money will go to cover additional months rent, bills, and food.
WHAT I HAVE TO WORK WITH: For full transparency, I currently receive $954.72/month from SSI Disability and $204/month from CalFresh for groceries. My mom has generously helped make up the difference so that I’ve been able to cover my share of rent, bills, insurance, etc.
If I’m able to meet my fundraising goal, that would allow me to save up enough to cover a third month of rent/bills, giving us even more time for Thomas to find work. Given his in-demand degree in Computer Science and academic qualifications, this should be enough time for him to find a decent paying job. (If anyone has a lead on a UX/UI design or other software dev positions, feel free to message me. You can also view Thomas's LinkedIn profile here .)
IN CONCLUSION: As much as I hate to ask for help during a time when so many people are struggling, I’m out of options and need some time to heal and for Thomas to find work. I completely understand if you are not in a position to give right now, but even sharing the GoFundMe out on social media would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for taking the time to read this and here’s hoping 2021 is a better year for all of us.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: Feel free to message me with any questions. I’m happy to provide proof of my Disability status, and any other claims. I didn’t want to post pictures of the cellulitis infection here, but you can view images here if you care to see how that recovery process is coming along. Be warned. It's not pretty.
I’m also providing a full list of medications I’m currently taking to treat the Cushing’s as well as other health issues, including side effects from some of the other medications:
1. Allopurinol 300 mg 1/day for uric acid/gout and to prevent kidney stones.
2. Alprazolam 0.5 mg as needed for anxiety.
3. B-Complex Vitamin for deficiencies and compromised immune system.
4. Budesonide-Formoterol 160-4.5 2 puffs as needed for asthma.
5. Caffeine 200mg as needed for chronic fatigue.
6. Fluticasone 50 MCG 2/day for chronic rhinitis.
7. Furosemide 60 mg 1/day diuretic to combat edema/swelling.
8. Ibuprofen 800 mg 2/day for pain and inflammation.
9. Lisinopril 20 mg 2/day for blood pressure.
10. Loperamide HCI 2 mg 2 as needed for digestive issues.
11. Metoprolol 25 mg 2/day for blood pressure.
12. Montelukast 10 mg 1/day for allergies/asthma.
13. Norco 5-325 1/day for pain.
14. Omeprazole 40 v 1/day for GERD/acid reflux.
15. Potassium Chloride 10 MEQ 1/ day for deficiency caused by Furosemide.
16. Prednisone 15 mg 1/day to treat Cushing’s/chronic rhinitis.
17. Tramadol 150 mg 1/day for pain.
18. Vitamin D3 10,000 MCG 1/day for Vitamin D deficiency.
