Things haven’t been great for me recently, and h I have not been able to walk in any normal sense since September. Long story short, my knees are really messed up and will not allow me to straighten my legs. I have the worst case of pseudo-gout my Orthopedic surgeon says he’s ever seen. It started with one knee, then the other froze up. Surgery has not fixed it and despite insurance, bills have been adding up.
The entire story and all the details are on the page of course. I REALLY dislike being in a position to have to resort to this, but part of me says I would be foolish not to try. Honestly I’m pulling out all the stops now. I expect nothing, but nothing ventured is nothing gained, so here I am. My last contract ended in December and no one has been able to find anything either work-from home since, and I’ve been applying for every position that comes my way that I can perform in a wheelchair.
What I’m trying to raise would be considered a pittance by some (less than $800 to go as of this posting), but it would make a larger impact in my life than one might imagine. Any money raised will go towards medication and an orthotic brace rental that aren’t covered by insurance, also copays, unpaid medical bills, and whatever is next down the pike.
Thanks for even reading this far. Most people that read this will not donate and I am fine with that. If you even share this with someone who might, I’ll appreciate it the same as a donation. Kind words and thoughts will of course be appreciated as well.
Good luck matey. Alas I’m extremely poor for the next month or so, but keep bumping the thread and as soon as I’m able I’ll donate some $. The US med system never ceases to amaze (and appall) me with so many people ending up penniless because of a relatively simple medical situation. I wish you well.
I really appreciate the thoughts. If you’re tight on money, don’t worry about it, please. A few Dopers have already donated and that’s all i can ask for.
Hah, tight is an understatement, but as soon as I’m back in the black again (blame a holiday to Bali a few weeks ago, and no work ) I’ll be more than happy to help you out. It must really suck feeling so stuck.
And again, without going all stabby and ranty, I thank my lucky stars that I was born in Australia, with a universal health system. Just today I visited my GP (no cost to me) who referred me to a specialist (no cost to me) for treatment for skin cancers. I shudder to think what might have happened had I lived in the US.
Go well dnoorman…hope you are back on your feet sooner rather than later.
I’ve dealt with gout. But only in my big toes. The pain was something that is hard to describe. Couldn’t let a sheet touch them while in bed. Can’t imagine what you are dealing with.
Reading your GoFundMe profile reminded me of something else. Like you I was completely blindsided by gout. And I was also blindsided by non-specific arthritis in my left elbow one morning eight months ago. Like your knee, my elbow was stuck at a 90 degree angle. I woke up with it one morning. Very weird and very scary.
I went to my Dr. for the elbow, and they sent me right to the ER. When asked how much it hurt, I tried to bend it just a little, had some sort of muscle spasm that tried to completely straighten the arm, and nearly fell out of the chair from the pain. The nurse saw that the pain had immediately made me break out in a sweat and nearly pass out and said ‘Oh yeah, so that would be a 10 on the pain scale’.
They drew 8cc’s of fluid out of the elbow joint, but analysis of it was inconclusive. Two days on steroids and I’m fine, if a little worried that it will come back.
You have my sympathy - I have chondrocalcinosis [pseudogout] in both feet, and it is creeping into my ankles … but as one of those infernal Americans, I am also poor. WHile I have TriCare thanks to mrAru slaving away for 20 years in our Navy, we are still out of pocket for a number of things =( Good wishes for you [where are you in the US?]
Ground up glass between the surfaces of your joints is how I would describe it. And not too far from what it really is. [this thread has brought back some unpleasant memories for me].
dnooman - I’ve got it under control. Limit red meat intake. And sadly beer. Also, fish oil and vitamin B supplements seem to help. Also have heard that cranberry and cherry juice helps. There is a lot on line about this, and I’m sure your Doc has recommendations.
I don’t really eat that much red meat luckily, and have been taking fish oil just as a coincidence. I always have cherry juice in the fridge. No beer is gonna suck.
My first introduction to gout was after a long weekend at my brothers house. I was helping him jackhammer a concrete porch. In gratitude, he served steaks every day and of course we had lots of beer.
I’ve found that Aleve (Naproxen) is helpful if I feel a flare up is coming. Luckily they are few and far between.
I’m very pleased to say that the original goal has been met! Thanks again to all those who helped. Every single donation is/was quite valued. One person made a pretty large donation and of course I appreciate that very much!
If anyone is still interested, I updated the final goal to reflect the amount that would net me the initial amount asked for (this makes up for the chunks that GoFundMe and their payment processor take out).
There is no way this would have been possible if not for the Dope. You guys are the best!
I just put you over your new goal so go raise that goal again and keep going. You’re going to get through this but don’t get any further in debt than absolutely necessary. I hope the new brace is everything you are hoping for.
Thank you!! The only reason(s) I raised the goal the last time were because GFM basically told me to, and I though people might want their goals of meeting my goal to not have an asterisk after it due to fees. Even if I got 2K more it would barely take me out of debt, none of the money would be going to me getting an X Box or anything. There are plenty of necessities that can and will be paid for first. Being greedy in any sense is the absolute last thing I want to do here. People are giving me the money they earned in order to help my situation. I don’t consider any of the funds I’ve gotten to be for anything other than things I really need.
Maybe wine money? Seems like beer is not a good thing for me, but the gesture will earn a toast in your favor for sure.
Each donation I get helps me to remember, or cement in my mind what I need to do in return when and if someone else I know (or is a Doper) is in the same situation. This group here sets a really good example for a whole lot of things, generosity included of course.
If anyone at all wants any additional info from me, please feel free to PM me and I will oblige.
So we have the best sandwich shop in the world here in Las Vegas, a chain that started in Maryland called Capriotti’s that now dots our little valley like… um… something that has dots on it; I’m drawing a blank here.
Anyway, they have a jar at the register and when you dump your change or whatever in there as a tip, they ring a bell and shout “Beer money!” and all the other people working shout “Thank you!”
My circle and I have adopted the phrase to mean “a small amount of money that I can afford to lose that will do something nice for someone else.” If someone is short at lunch, “Yo; I’ve got beer money for you” or “here; take my beer money”, etc.
My father had gout. I’ve been thru bouts at least twice, with my feet. It sucks. Take care of yourself.
) I’ll be more than happy to help you out. It must really suck feeling so stuck.
