Temporary Housing and expense help due to cancer
Donation protected
Hello. My name is Craig Nelson. First, thank you so much for reading, and whether you choose to leave a donation or at least share this page with others, I am appreciative and grateful to you for your consideration. Thank you.
I have avoided doing this as long as possible and it really is humbling to have to put aside my pride and breakdown to the point of having to ask for help. But, that is where I am at this current time in my life. I am going to take a complex chain of events that has found me at this point in my life, and try to present as concisely as possible.
Q- Why are you asking for help?
A- I have found myself in need of funds to continue to provide temporary housing until I can start to receive housing help when disability pay starts.
Q- So why can’t you pay your own way right now?
A- Simply put, my ongoing cancer, which side effects are becoming more severe, as well as loss in June of a unique job due to company restructuring. That job had allowed me the freedom to try and continue to work, despite the cancer.
Q- What cancer are you dealing with? How does it affect you?
A- On July 1, 2013 I was diagnosed an incurable and rare cancer called multiple myeloma. It is a blood plasma cancer that causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow and reduce the ability to have the body produce, among other things, antibodies. But the cancerous cells still produce antibodies, but those antibodies are worthless, and end up accumulating in the blood causing problems for vital organs, especially kidneys, while at the same time crowding out the “good” antibiotic carrying cells. The cancer also causes a good amount of bone pain as well as fatigue like I never thought could be possible.
I have been on chemotherapy for 5.5 years straight and that will continue until I’m gone. I have concerns over what damage the chemotherapy has done over such a long period of time.
Also, a huge concern with the cancer, plus the chemotherapy, is my immune system. Put the two together and I am at high risk for contracting viruses and that usually results in hospital admissions. So I try very hard to control my exposure to groups of people and items that many people come in contact with.
I also struggle with chronic depression that I finally sought help for in 2010. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, but I am very proud to say I have worked hard, between professionals and medicine, plus my own desire to not let depression beat me, to live reasonably will with it. But I’d be lying if I said that the cancer doesn’t test me on a regular basis.
Q- So what did you do after your job and apartment were lost simultaneously?
A- Relatively new to my area, and not knowing many people, I went to a hotel with the hope of finding a situation where I might be able to stay with a friend. I also have two guinea pigs, Biscotti and Baxter, that would have to come with me. They are my kids and frankly they are absolutely essential with dealing with my depression and give me a meaning for my life.
So, finding an apartment wasn’t much of an option as the only financial option I had was using credit card, and landlords don’t accept those. However, when on disability, I will be able to get financial help with rent.
With that in mind, I tried to look into trying to use the limited options I had for possible help from others, noting that due to treatment and insurance, I have to stay in this area. I was able to get some assistance, but ultimately needed to return to the hotel. I have coordinated a good rate with the hotel manager and it works for now. Biscotti and Baxter have room and I have a small refrigerator and a microwave.
My monthly bills have been mostly taken care of by unemployment and some of the small savings I had. So I had to cover housing.
But now I find my credit card is at its limit and I need the help to continue to stay where I am until disability comes through and also bridge any gap in bills after unemployment runs out. My current option if I get no financial help is to put Biscotti and Baxter into foster care and live in my car. I simply can’t lose them, even for a temporary amount of time.
Q- Why can’t you get another job?
A- Simply put, my current conditions with cancer. In addition, on a daily basis I struggle with the simple things. What many do withought a second thought, I struggle with. A lot. And things have become a bit worse in the last few months. I have incredible fatigue all day, everyday. It’s unbelievable. Just walking up a flight of stairs without having to stop to catch my breath is now routine. Frankly it sucks, but it’s the hand I’ve been dealt, and I do my best.
Q- I’d like to help with a donation, but am unable at this time. Is there anything else I can do to help?
A-Yes, please consider sharing this page with anyone and everyone that you know that you feel might be able to help by donating or sharing. Also, please consider donating blood. I have had roughly 14 pints of blood over the last 5 years via transfusions. You can help me by helping keep the blood supply available for those in need. No matter where you live.
In closing- Please note that all donations will only be used for necessary living expenses, both now and in future. Whether you were able to make a donation or just able to share my page, I am so very grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
-Craig
I have avoided doing this as long as possible and it really is humbling to have to put aside my pride and breakdown to the point of having to ask for help. But, that is where I am at this current time in my life. I am going to take a complex chain of events that has found me at this point in my life, and try to present as concisely as possible.
Q- Why are you asking for help?
A- I have found myself in need of funds to continue to provide temporary housing until I can start to receive housing help when disability pay starts.
Q- So why can’t you pay your own way right now?
A- Simply put, my ongoing cancer, which side effects are becoming more severe, as well as loss in June of a unique job due to company restructuring. That job had allowed me the freedom to try and continue to work, despite the cancer.
Q- What cancer are you dealing with? How does it affect you?
A- On July 1, 2013 I was diagnosed an incurable and rare cancer called multiple myeloma. It is a blood plasma cancer that causes cancer cells to accumulate in the bone marrow and reduce the ability to have the body produce, among other things, antibodies. But the cancerous cells still produce antibodies, but those antibodies are worthless, and end up accumulating in the blood causing problems for vital organs, especially kidneys, while at the same time crowding out the “good” antibiotic carrying cells. The cancer also causes a good amount of bone pain as well as fatigue like I never thought could be possible.
I have been on chemotherapy for 5.5 years straight and that will continue until I’m gone. I have concerns over what damage the chemotherapy has done over such a long period of time.
Also, a huge concern with the cancer, plus the chemotherapy, is my immune system. Put the two together and I am at high risk for contracting viruses and that usually results in hospital admissions. So I try very hard to control my exposure to groups of people and items that many people come in contact with.
I also struggle with chronic depression that I finally sought help for in 2010. I was diagnosed with major depressive disorder, but I am very proud to say I have worked hard, between professionals and medicine, plus my own desire to not let depression beat me, to live reasonably will with it. But I’d be lying if I said that the cancer doesn’t test me on a regular basis.
Q- So what did you do after your job and apartment were lost simultaneously?
A- Relatively new to my area, and not knowing many people, I went to a hotel with the hope of finding a situation where I might be able to stay with a friend. I also have two guinea pigs, Biscotti and Baxter, that would have to come with me. They are my kids and frankly they are absolutely essential with dealing with my depression and give me a meaning for my life.
So, finding an apartment wasn’t much of an option as the only financial option I had was using credit card, and landlords don’t accept those. However, when on disability, I will be able to get financial help with rent.
With that in mind, I tried to look into trying to use the limited options I had for possible help from others, noting that due to treatment and insurance, I have to stay in this area. I was able to get some assistance, but ultimately needed to return to the hotel. I have coordinated a good rate with the hotel manager and it works for now. Biscotti and Baxter have room and I have a small refrigerator and a microwave.
My monthly bills have been mostly taken care of by unemployment and some of the small savings I had. So I had to cover housing.
But now I find my credit card is at its limit and I need the help to continue to stay where I am until disability comes through and also bridge any gap in bills after unemployment runs out. My current option if I get no financial help is to put Biscotti and Baxter into foster care and live in my car. I simply can’t lose them, even for a temporary amount of time.
Q- Why can’t you get another job?
A- Simply put, my current conditions with cancer. In addition, on a daily basis I struggle with the simple things. What many do withought a second thought, I struggle with. A lot. And things have become a bit worse in the last few months. I have incredible fatigue all day, everyday. It’s unbelievable. Just walking up a flight of stairs without having to stop to catch my breath is now routine. Frankly it sucks, but it’s the hand I’ve been dealt, and I do my best.
Q- I’d like to help with a donation, but am unable at this time. Is there anything else I can do to help?
A-Yes, please consider sharing this page with anyone and everyone that you know that you feel might be able to help by donating or sharing. Also, please consider donating blood. I have had roughly 14 pints of blood over the last 5 years via transfusions. You can help me by helping keep the blood supply available for those in need. No matter where you live.
In closing- Please note that all donations will only be used for necessary living expenses, both now and in future. Whether you were able to make a donation or just able to share my page, I am so very grateful. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
-Craig
Organizer
Craig Nelson
Organizer
Altoona, PA
