My story begins in October 2016. I woke up and had a detached retina. Surgery went well, I thought everything was fine. Went back to work, (many of my jobs are 1099). Within 10 days, both retinas detached. I was considered legally blind and couldn’t drive, so therefore no work, either. From 10/16 until 5/18, my life was a merry-go-roiund of eye surgeries.
Finally, I was able to see again in my left eye, my right eye remains blurred.
All of these eye surgeries, while I was unable to work depleted my savings account.
I began working, building a little nest egg, started working for a W2 company, had insurance and life was good. In the spring of 2021, I began experiencing severe uterine pain and large amounts of blood and blood clots. This was concerning to my gynecologist, because I had an ablation the year before. My h¹ysterectomy was supposed to be simple, easy laproscopy. In and out. But I was cut open alon⁰g my c-secti⁰on line to remove a previously unnoticed 6″ mass on an ovary. It was cut out, but my ⁰healing time, deductible and living expenses devoured my meager savings and I had to start using credit cards.
- The healing began, I was back at work at a W2 company with fairly good insurance. The pain slowly came back, causing me to start missing work again. I went to a specialist, who discovered a mass on my pancreas which was 5.6 cm and had attached itself to my spleen. More tests to see if I could handle the surgery, completed at Rush Hospital in Chicago. An oncologist discussed his plan of action with me. On May 27th, 2025 I had approximately 80% of my pancreas removed and all of my spleen. I came home with a drain in my abdomen. I cannot be released at least until the drain is eventually clean.
So far, I haven’t worked since January of 25. I’ve cashed in 2 IRA’S, all of my rebuilt savings, and am now living on credit cards. I’m paying for my own insurance, which is over 500 per month, and takes up nearly a third of my unemployment. (My unemployment is coming to an end).
I need some help. I am usually the one giving a helping hand. I bake casseroles for those in need. I pick up trash on the side of the road. I donate to the special Olympics and to animal rescues. This time it’s me. A penny can make a difference. A dollar, two dollars, 20! I know most everyone is saving every bit of money they can in these uncertain times. But if you could find it in your heart, I’d be forever grateful!
Thank you dear friends and family,
Jeannie
