Hi everyone. First, I want to say that I love and thank all of you for your continued support and friendship. I never dreamed I would be in this situation just a few years ago and your ongoing love and support during this challenging time has meant more to me that I could ever express. As many of you know, I have had serious health complications and challenges for about four years.
In the last four years I have had 16 brain surgeries accompanied by several other surgeries. I have experienced headache related symptoms since the age of five but had no idea that those symptoms were caused by a much larger problem. In 2012 I had my first brain surgery to fix the fact that I had a second hearing canal that never developed a protective covering. Although I felt much improvement after the surgery, my headaches were never resolved. I learned to live with the pain and went about living, however these symptoms intensified greatly in my mid to late twenties.
In 2016 I was seen by a specialist in Salt Lake City, Utah who believed that I just needed to learn to live with my headaches and manage them accordingly. At the time I was working at an operating room and the next day at work I consulted with almost every neurosurgeon at my job. I asked for one of the neurosurgeons to check my scans in order to get another opinion. After reviewing my scans, he informed me that I needed surgery, or I would lose my sight. I was diagnosed with Hydrocephalus which runs in my family. My brother Daniel’s case had thankfully been resolved earlier. For me it would be a very different situation and has been a nightmare to live through full of complications I could not have imagined at the time.
After the first 6 surgeries, I would complete the surgery with high hopes of healing and return to work a few weeks later, once it was approved by the surgeon.
After the 7th surgery, I was not so fortunate. I was put on leave and I haven’t been able to return to work since because of the severity of my symptoms. As you can imagine this has been difficult to handle on the physical, mental, and financial aspect. I feel I have lost all sense of self during this tough time.
During the 16 brain surgeries and the countless other medical interventions required over the last four years I have had insurance in one form or another. However, even with insurance I am faced with the cost of the portion that I am supposed to cover, and it is too heavy for me at this time on the minimal disability benefits I receive. If you know me at all, then you know that I am an organized hard worker and have made do with what I have while always thinking ahead to the future. These unpredictable medical expenses have caused me to pull all my savings, investments, and benefits together and I am still falling short. I’m also now faced with the interest and other life expenses that have accumulated since I’ve been unable to work.
I am humbly asking you to please help me with finances while I regain my health. This year alone I am facing a very substantial medical bill from a 28 day stay in the hospital from March, not to mention every other stay. I am hoping my appeals to the financial assistance department at all locations go through but the weight of the numerous and mounting medical bills are drowning me. I desperately need the peace of mind so that I can put my full focus on healing once and for all.
Any funds would be used to pay for upfront medical expenses, my portion of medical bills, medication, and living expenses that I am not able to take care of on my own. The day I am typing this I got another round of scans and while my doctor is trying his best to resolve the medical issue I am facing without additional surgical intervention - we both know that it is very likely that I will be in surgery again in just a few weeks.
I love you all and thank you for even taking time to read this, it has been extremely difficult to ask for help and I appreciate your time in reading this greatly. Thank you for your prayers and for those who have already contributed to my expenses. Thank you for your well wishes support and love. It has saved me in very dark times that I have been facing recently. I have so much to keep fighting for and I am beyond grateful to God for keeping me here. Gracias.
Martha Moreno
If you can help out our listener, Martha!
Photo: Getty Images