Hepatitis C Disabled Woman Seeks Grant Money For Medical Caused Expenses

by Stephanie
(Pollock Pines, CA, USA)

I am a 47-year-old woman. I have 4 wonderful kids, a beautiful 4-year-old granddaughter, a good husband and an awesome life.

I have been working as an alcohol and drug counselor for just over 7-1/2 years. I have been trying to help people get their lives back just as I have gotten mine back.

It is my passion. I love, and live, to help people. I have always been this way. It is very natural to me.

In 2002, I was diagnosed with Hepatitis C. My past had come to bite me in the back. I wasn't scared, or anything because I knew lots of people that also had it and they all seemed to be fine.

In 2003, I got clean and sober and have been clean and sober ever since.

I found out that Hepatitis C can be a very serious condition. Every year I go and get a liver biopsy, and every year there has been no cause for concern, until this year.

Somehow the doctor had missed something and instead of being at Stage 1 where they had always thought I had been, I had advanced to the beginning stages of Stage 3.

Doing what I do for a living didn't help because there is always a lot of stress, and they say that stress is a very bad thing for people with Hepatitis C.

I chose to step away from my job for a little while and follow the doctor's suggestion of getting started on the treatments.

When I left my job, I lost my insurance. Than my husband's job came to a standstill and I couldn't afford insurance.

I am getting sicker and sicker with this stuff. I am scared to death, because I have so much to live for. Right now I am on state disability.

Because of the fact that I continue to get sicker behind this disease I am having trouble concentrating, my body hurts all the time, I can't concentrate on my school work for any length of time, I am so tired all the time, I am weak and shaky all the time, I am sad because I can't find help, and I hate what's happening to me.

My husband of 14 years is scared for us because he just wants me to be able to get the treatments and get better, and is in a constant state of worry.

My kids are worried also. My oldest son even told me he would give me half his liver.

I worked for as long as I could, and will have to go back to work soon because my family is struggling financially without my added income.

I have talked to many insurance companies trying to find something I can afford.

I have talked to Hep C support groups.

I have practically begged distant family members for help.

No one seems to be concerned with helping me except my children and husband, and financially they are just not capable.

I am on state disability but have only gotten one check in two months. I am 2 payments behind on my little Ford Ranger.

PG&E is at $740, hospital bills are in collection, and so much more.

I am looking for any help I can get to be able to get started on the treatments for Hep C, genotype 1.

I need financial help, advice and direction. I need someone to care, and when I am able I will continue on with my quest to help people to change their lives for the better.