Help Me Keep My Home While I Recover From the Life Sepsis Left Behind

I survived sepsis in 2016. Little did I know, it would take almost a decade to grasp the aftermath it left behind.

In 2016, I was on the brink of death.

I developed sepsis, and my doctors informed my family that I had roughly a 50/50 chance of survival. Yet, against all odds, I did survive.

At that moment, surviving felt like the conclusion of a horrific nightmare.

But it wasn't.

In the years that followed, I found myself transformed. My memory faltered. My thought processes were altered. My emotions felt foreign. Daily tasks that once flowed with ease became incredibly taxing. I grappled with anxiety, depression, panic attacks, and cognitive issues that seemed incomprehensible.

I continued to persist.

I changed jobs.

I took medical leaves when the weight became too heavy.

I endeavored to convince myself that I merely needed to work harder.

I trusted the doctors when they said it was simply "depression" or "anxiety."

Last September—almost ten years after my brush with death—I finally discovered the existence of Post-Sepsis Syndrome.

For the first time, everything began to fall into place.

Since then, I have been diagnosed with Major Depressive Disorder with anxious distress, PTSD, Panic Disorder, ADHD, agoraphobia, persistent brain fog, memory impairment, and cognitive struggles. While none of these diagnoses define my identity, collectively, they have made maintaining steady employment an overwhelming challenge.

Despite this, I refused to give up.

I clung to my work as long as possible.

I worked in Human Resources because I found genuine fulfillment in aiding individuals to solve their problems during difficult times. In retrospect, it pains me to realize that while I was guiding others through some of their most challenging moments, I was utterly unable to comprehend the turmoil unraveling in my own life.

In the past eighteen months, my life has disintegrated at an alarming rate.

My marriage has ended.

I have become estranged from my family.

People I once trusted betrayed me.

I lost my job while on medical leave.

I have spent months applying for assistance, navigating the maze of paperwork, appeals, and phone calls.

Currently, I am enduring the lengthy SSDI process while simultaneously trying to survive day to day.

I was denied Medicaid and SNAP benefits due to minor eligibility issues, despite years of documented medical history. These decisions do not alter the reality of my health; they have only intensified the struggles of this difficult period.

Before initiating this fundraising campaign, I sold nearly everything I owned that held any real value.

I parted with my possessions because I wanted to overcome my challenges independently before seeking help from others.

Eventually, there was nothing left to sell.

I now find myself approximately ten months behind on my mortgage.

Foreclosure proceedings have commenced.

My Homeowners Association has scheduled my property for auction.

Furthermore, my water, phone, internet, and other essential services are all either at risk of being suspended or have already been cut off, as I lack the funds to maintain them while I await disability support.

This marks the first time in my life that I have requested assistance from strangers.

It is a challenging admission to make.

If you have ever wondered why someone waits until their situation becomes this dire before asking for help, this is the explanation.

It is pride.

It is hope.

It is the belief that tomorrow may somehow bring a turnaround.

But eventually, the days run out.

Where Your Donation Goes

Every dollar raised will be directed toward stabilizing my circumstances as I await my disability benefits.

Mortgage arrears: $45,000

HOA lien and attorney fees: $5,700

Trash service balance: $900

Utilities, food, and basic necessities: Approximately $1,100

Total goal: $52,700

If we don't reach the entire goal, every contribution made will still be significant.

Maintaining utility connections is crucial.

Purchasing groceries is essential.

Paying down liens is needed.

Mitigating financial damage holds value.

No donation is too small to have a genuine impact.

Why I'm Sharing All of This

Because I want to ensure no one believes I am concealing any part of my journey.

I understand this is a substantial amount to request.

I acknowledge that individuals have every right to ask questions before contributing.

That is why I will be posting regular updates regarding the use of funds and the progress being made. Transparency is incredibly important to me.

I do not expect anyone to resolve all my issues.

I am simply seeking help to navigate this most challenging chapter of my life.

Looking Ahead

If my disability is approved, my goal is straightforward.

Remain in my home.

Continue my treatment.

Regain my stability.

And eventually leverage everything I have learned to assist other sepsis survivors in avoiding years of uncertainty in understanding their own experiences.

If sharing my story helps even one person obtain answers more swiftly than I did, then some good will have emerged from this struggle.

If You Can't Donate

Please consider sharing this campaign.

Sometimes, a single share reaches the individual who can make a monumental difference.

Whether you choose to donate, share, or simply take the time to read my story—

Thank you.

Your kindness means more to me than I can express in words.