Treeces: Getting Back on Our Feet

   My name is Lisa Treece. I am the mother of two beautiful, intelligent children, Rhea and Dakotah. And wife and partner to Jeremy Treece. Jeremy is a freelance illustrator and comic book artist, and together we create comics and other artistic ventures.  This gofundme campaign is to help our family get back on our feet. 

  Our hope is that this campaign will help our family move into a new home by February 28th, and help us find a decent used vehicle for getting the children to and from school and running errands, but also for helping Lisa (me) get to and from doctor appointments and making sure that I have the availability to accept interviews and possible job offers. 
  Why do we need help? Jeremy's freelance income varies month to month and it had been my income that stablilized us- up until the point I lost my job. Our car had been a wreck from the beginning and is now being torn apart for scrap by a local salvage yard. The community we are living in has issued us an unexpected notice that they will "not be renewing" our lease, which is up as of February 28th; if we are not out by that date, legal action will be taken.
 
  I hope the story of our last few months will better explain.
  Last March, I landed a great job. Decent wage and nice people to work with. A stepping stone on the way to getting back to school, getting a better car, and finally being able to buy our own home. 
  The job came with a stipulation. During November and December, there would be 4-6 weeks with no work. I was okay with that. I wasn't prepared however, for the lay off to become permanent. But at the end of November, just before Thanksgiving, I received a call saying my job had been "dissolved". I can admit, there was a little panic, and more than a few tears. 
  Luckily, as of January 4th, I have been able to receive unemployment. And although it has been helpful, at only half of my previous wage and my allotted weeks coming to an end, we have struggled to keep our heads up.
  From the moment I knew my job was gone, I began considering my other options. What did I need to go back to school? What other jobs could I find that would help us get back on track? I've searched certifications and programs and ways to pay off student debt. I've put in 2-8 job applications a week. I knew we could find a way back to our goals. Then, in the last few weeks, I began to lose hope. 
  It started with a general feeling of malaise. I was more tired, less interested in food, occassionally dizzy, and began to sense "phantom smells". I tried to put it out of my mind, and attribute these things to overall exhaustion. Then, the general pains became localized. My abdomen and chest ached with sharp pains. I had been to the ER for similar reasons before, to no avail. They had no answers for me but were happy to assure me that despite my apparent issues, they could find nothing wrong. So it would be an understatement to say that I was hesitant to return. By the time my symptoms had gotten bad enough to warrant another visit, we had to call an ambulance.
  I was dizzy, shaking, unsteady, and wracked with abdominal pain. I didn't want to call the ambulance, but seeing as our car had quit working just days before, I didn't have a choice.  The ER trip was just as fruitful as it had been in the past. Despite blood work and X-rays, I got no real answers, just the feeling I was being brushed off. I called a cab and got home around 2am. I slept and began trying to implement the suggestions I had been given.

  Very little relief was had. I called to schedule an appointment with my doctor and hoped that it might bring answers. Just a few days later however, I found myself back at the hospital. I had been too dizzy to stand, shaking again, waves of tingling, cold, and numbness were moving through my hands, arms, and up my neck. The ambulance was called, the paramedics agreed that I needed to get seen again. This trip brought more blood work, a CT scan, and an unknown diagnosis- chalked up to "abdominal pain".  I was able to get transport through medicaid to get to my doctor the next day. Tests were done, and when no answer was found, more tests were scheduled. There is the possibility of surgery. And without a vehicle, or access to public transportation, it is all the more maddening. 
  
  The troubles with our car began  right after we bought it at the end of 2014. We replaced the transmission, rebuilt the front end, and the problems kept mounting. We had made plans to get a better car this year. But the evening of January 29th proved to be the end of our car's run.

  I had been on my way back from a peaceful protest in Hamtramck when the car began to shake and sputter on the freeway. It stalled more than once- but I miraculously made it home in one piece. The car was going to sit in our drive way until we could afford to fix it. Then of course, after my second unsuccesful hospital visit via ambulance, we decided to get it looked at, and hoped the repairs were something we could afford.
  The towing fees alone made us cringe. We crossed our fingers in hopes the repairs would be small- and cheap. Luck was not on our side. The next day the mechanic told us that our engine needed to be replaced. The cost of parts and labor could be upwards of $5,000. Jeremy and I knew if we were going to spend that much money, we may as well get a better vehicle. With no better option available, we elected to scrap the car.  As of today (February 8th 2017), the car has been taken by a salvage yard and for our troubles we were given $150. 

  Without a vehicle, with my being in and out of the hopsital, and with the weather so bitter and cold, we had been lax about walking the quarter mile to our mailbox. So, while I was at the doctor on Monday (February 6th), Jeremy went to pick up our gathering mail. Upon arriving home, one letter stood out from the others. 
"Our records indicate that your ... lease agreement ... will expire on 02/28/2017. This is to inform you that your lease will not be renewed and a reminder that you are required to vacate the premises on or before the above mentioned expiration date ..." In no uncertain terms, we we're being told to leave or face legal action and eviction. So again, we are left without much of a choice. 


  Now, with the 28th coming up fast, Jeremy and I have made our situation open and clear to friends and family. We have put out feelers for commission work and future jobs. We continue to try and sell our books, our art, whatever we can- to make the best of our situation.  But the truth is that we still need help. 
  Your kindness can help our family find sure footing once again. And there are not enough gracious words for me to express how thankful I am for any and all help- even taking the time to read our story; to consider us.