Your share could raise $30
Before you go, did you know that simply by sharing this campaign, you could help it raise $30? It's an effective way to support the cause.
No thanks- Pin it
- SubscribeUnsubscribe
- Embed
Isabel Axten hasn't added a story.
A little over two years ago, I almost lost my life giving birth to my daughter. Financial recovery was impossible. Just when I get to a point where I can begin rebuilding, I find out that I have systemic scleroderma. Goodbye rebuilding, hello bills.
Scleroderma is a rare disease affecting only about 300,000 people in the united states. It has affected my lungs, GI system, and my skin. I had just finished paying my medical bills from my calcinosis surgery in December when I received the diagnosis. Because of the battery of tests, and it being a new year, I have been hit with $3,000 in medical bills. Luckily I have insurance so it is my deductible and max out of pocket...I know it could be much worse.
I contacted the billing department to make payment arrangements, but the lowest amount I have been able to negotiate is $260.00 per month. It is no where near do-able for me. I have heard that as long as you are making payments, there is not much they can do, but I really just need a financial break here and a chance to get ahead for the sake of my family.
I have two kids and work full time, have student loan debt, car payment, house payment...all of the usual stuff, which I can afford, but have no savings or cushion to due my previous financial heart attack.
In the first five years of this disease, one can expect to experience rapid onset of symptoms. The doctors at Mayo have used my past medical records in an attempt to determine how long I have had scleroderma. They are being conservative because of my lung invovlement documentation and believe I may only be at the two year mark, which basically means I am a sitting duck for the next three years...I will need pulmonary function tests every few months and EKG's every year for the rest of my life and of course additional treatments depending on anything new that might rear its ugly head.
I may be able to work 30 more years, but because the disease is so unpredictable, I might only be able to work 3 more months. I am not going to dwell on something that is beyond my control. I have made it through so much in the past couple years...massive hemmorhage, emergency c-section and hysterectomy, respiratory failure, was in a coma, pneumonia, bowel obstruction, blood clot, double hernia repair surgery and calcinosis removal surgery. I am extremely lucky to still be standing strong.
There are many of us that reach a point in life where we just need help, so here I am, hoping that you can relate and are in a better position than I am at the moment. I will do everything in my power to pay it forward. I will be running my campaign for 60 days. I can't express how much weight would be lifted if I can raise the money to help me pay for this debt. Thanks for reading.
Highlights
See all activity31Activity
Delete media item?
Delete this item from the media gallery? It will also be deleted from any related story update.
Set as ?
The campaign video will appear in social media and email.
The campaign cover picture will appear in social media and email.
The will appear at the top of your campaign page and in social media and email.
Reset ?
It will be removed from the top of your campaign and won't be used as default in social media and email. The will remain in the media gallery.
Embed
Share a link
Delete update
Delete this story update?
Any pictures or videos will remain in the campaign's media gallery.
Report campaign
Report submitted
Thank you. We take reports like yours very seriously. Our goal is to keep the community safe.
Please know that we may contact you for more information, but that we won't notify you personally of our decision. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Thank you. We've already received your previous report. If the campaign remains available within a few days, it's likely that we determined it not to be in violation of our policies.
Tell us about the problem. Please fill in both fields below.
Record a video
Upload a video
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Take a minute or two to record one now. Record a short video message of support. Or upload one from your device. You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Nothing grabs attention for your cause like a personal video. Upload a short video message of support. Upload a short video message of support. Or record one right now.
- Most effective video length: about a minute.
- Maximum length: 5 min.
- You can preview or redo your video before you post it.
Heads up! The existing video will be replaced.
Email your friends
Join our team
Tell people why our cause matters to you. Your personal message will encourage others to help. Easy, effective, optional.
Say it in video
Short personal videos by supporters like you are incredibly powerful. Record one right now and you'll help us raise more money. Easy, optional, effective.
Add a personal goal
Set a personal fundraising goal. You'll encourage more contributions if you do. And rest easy. There's no obligation to achieve your goal or bad consequences if you don't. Easy, optional, effective.
We have a video!
Video thumbnail
We'd love to show you our campaign video. Want to take a look?
, you're already on the team.