After working as a subcontractor for 16 years at the same company, I was told, with no notice, that my hours would be significantly reduced, cutting my income by $1,800 a month and would start the next day. I can’t quit until I have something else. I used all our available money, including our savings, to ensure that we could cover all of our bills and stay afloat for a couple of months. However, things have become increasingly difficult. Rising health insurance premiums, combined with the lack of funds, have pushed us dangerously close to being unable to pay rent or cover necessities. On top of that, I am facing serious health challenges. I was scheduled to have surgery for metastatic renal cell carcinoma (RCC) that I had to cancel. I can’t afford to pay the $2500 deductible. Just three years ago, I had my kidney removed due to a 12-centimeter tumor, and now I have a tumor on my adrenal gland. The financial strain has made it impossible to afford to take the time off for surgery or to cover the medical expenses associated with it. To make matters even harder, my husband is retired after suffering two strokes, which limits his ability to contribute financially. He does bring home social security, but it is from retiring early. It is not much. This past holiday season, we didn’t celebrate Christmas due to our situation and decided to return all of the gifts we purchased for us and our son, and I now feel like I’m barely holding on, as if I’m hanging onto the edge of a cliff by my fingertips.
Who am I in this world to decide the perfect time to ask for help, especially when it comes to money? We have no family here, and we have only been in this new state for six months, struggling just to keep our heads above water. I have spent my entire life working, and now I cannot even afford the groceries we need to make it through the week. It is never an easy choice to ask someone for financial help. Reaching out in moments like this feels so vulnerable, and it is hard to figure out the right time to seek support when the need feels so pressing and overwhelming. I just am trying to keep faith. paypal.me/aprilhamilton1664