So.
It was February, 2012; a Thursday morning. I woke up feeling a bit stiff, thinking I must have slept wrong on my right shoulder for it to be aching so badly, but I figured as the day wore on the kinks would work themselves out and I would be fine. Except they didn't.
A week later, and I was in an Emergency Room, with 5 doctors looking at me, completely clueless.
My right arm was useless; my fingers curled into a claw-like pose. My skin was icy to the touch and a bit blue, and the pain... Let's just say it felt like the bones in my arm were breaking while someone was running a lighter up and down my arm.
Over the next year I would be shuffled from doctor to doctor; specialist to specialist. I would go from a happy, healthy, independent wife and mother of two, a college student and photographer - to a pain-riddled, bed-ridden, wheelchair-bound shell of my former self. The number of medications I'm on are mind-boggling. I can't even remember how many physicians I've seen. I can't remember much of anything anymore.
I've been tentatively diagnosed with a severe form of Fibromyalgia - but to be honest, I'm not at all certain that the doctors currently treating me have any more of a clue as to what's wrong than those first ER physicians. One doctor was even so bold as to tell me that I am basically a science experiment at this point. Yay me.
But on the bright side, if they DO figure it out and it's something new, maybe they'll name it after me. Then again, maybe I don't want whatever this is named after me; I don't want to be associated with this kind of misery for eternity! Lol.
You may be asking yourself, "Okay, so why are you campaigning for money over the internet?"
Do you remember when I said I had been shuffled from doctor to doctor? Do you know WHY? Because I have no insurance. I can't afford it. My husband works himself to the bone - six, sometimes seven days a week - just to put food on the table and pay the bills. I lost my job in 2010 when I had a seizure at work (I have a sneaking suspicion that is when all this truly started); trying to get insurance with seizures is outrageously expensive.
We figured as long as the kids were covered, we would be okay. I never expected to get so sick.
AND, to add some fuel to the fire - I've just been told that I have cervical cancer. I've been sick "down there" for a while, but my doc has been in observation mode because of the no insurance thing. Until now.
We have passed the point of 6 month exams and biopsies and cryo - now it's been recommended that I have a full or partial hysterectomy.
I'm 32 years old.
Hysterectomy?! Are kidding me? Cancer? Why, on top of everything else? How is this possible? Beats me, but it is what it is.
Naturally I'm terrified. Especially since I have been told that the hospital will not even schedule this surgery until I have $16,000.00 - UP FRONT.
Yes, you read that correctly; I said "up front".
The total cost for the entire operation is estimated at around $25,000.00; with a down payment of $16,000.00 - after which, they will work with us on a payment plan.
Yeah, cause I know TONS of people who have an extra sixteen grand just lying around...
I don't qualify for any kind of state assistance because my husband makes too MUCH money -Really?!?
I can't afford insurance because we don't make ENOUGH money...
I believe that my faith in God and my love for my children and husband are what have pulled me through the pain and despair and fear for so long now...and I'm not ready to quit fighting yet.
We decided to turn to fundraising. Something will come through, a miracle will happen - I know it.
Bake sales, yard sales, dinner plates, t-shirts, raffles, donations, the grace of God - we will get this done. I'll beat this because the number 1 thing on my bucket list is to watch my beautiful little girls grow up.
The poem below will be used on the t-shirts we will have made, along with a specially made design by my oldest daughter, Haylee.
Our campaign is called, "Help Our Mommy" (my girls named it, and I like it, so it stays ).

Our Mommy's fighting Fibro;
Our Mommy's fighting cancer
We will not let our Mommy die;
We won't take "No" for an answer.
Our Mommy loves us dearly;
We love our Mommy, too
We need our Mommy here with us,
That's why we came to you
Help us earn the money
For the bills we have to pay;
Help us help our Mommy
To stay with us another day.

So, will you help their mommy?

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