Last week I posted a diary outlining my situation, and I would ask anyone who needs to know more to check that diary out. I would repeat the info here, but honestly, I’m really not well tonight, so I hope to keep this short.
The previous amount still outstanding was at $460, but there were a few new donations over the last couple of days, leaving the current outstanding amount at $385. That amount did not take into account that two of my wound clinic appt’s would be cancelled this week (one by them on Monday, and the other by me on Wednesday due to the snow). Because of this, I’ve had to purchase more of the wound care supplies than expected, which has taken a huge chunk out of the funds already raised.
Even though some of you have contributed to those supplies, and I very much appreciate having enough Advil, aspirin, acetaminophen and self-sticking bandages… they are only part of the supplies I use. (**PS — I’m good on the acetaminophen and self-sticking bandages for a while, but will likely need more Advil by next week).
One huge expense is the triple antibiotic CREAM (not the greasy, vaseline-like ointment kind). I can’t find it online (not at Amazon or anywhere else yet — they all only carry the ointment), and in the drug store you can only get a 1oz tube for approximately $5. One tube only covers two of the 5x9 size padded bandages I use on my leg… but it takes 3-4 of them to cover the entire area… so every bandage change is costing at least $7.50-$10 JUST for the cream alone. Those huge padded bandages cost a bundle too, but at least you get 12 to a box, so the cost is split over 3 dressing changes instead of one.
These are the things I still have to pay cash for on a regular basis. Usually I only have to supply about 1/3 of these items because Medicaid covers it (up to a limit, which is not enough)… but due to having no clinic appt’s this week, I’ve had to do more of the dressing changes myself, so I’ve incurred extra costs.
On top of this, I also learned that I miscalculated when I estimated the probable cost of some of the items that I need. Specifically, when my leg was feeling better the other day (Tuesday), I went to check out the bra section at KMart to see if they had what I needed and get an idea of pricing. As mentioned in the prior diary, it’s been more than 4-5 years since I bought a new bra. Either my memory of the cost was far lower than the actuality back then, or the prices have pretty much doubled.
Either way, I had hoped to be able to get at least 3 bras for less than $50… but based on the prices I found at KMart (and Walmart won’t be much different, their prices are pretty similar), it’s likely that just one bra will cost between $25-$30… so my original estimate was way off.
Because of this, I’m changing the amount needed slightly, to reflect the cost of replacing at least 3 bras at current prices. So, instead of $385, I’m going to take the outstanding total back to between $450-$500. This increase is to cover the excess wound treatment items, the larger than expected cost for the bras, and the estimated costs of the few other clothing items I need to replace (due to being worn beyond wearability) — most of which I will get at a second-hand shop.
Now for the potentially really bad news:
It’s highly possible I could be going back in the hospital again — perhaps as soon as tomorrow (although I’m hoping not). I went to the ER earlier today because my leg was incredibly painful (far worse than it’s been for a long time) beginning last night and continuing through this morning. They said it is showing signs of renewed infection, but were willing to let me go home (with an Rx for more antibiotics) because I have the wound clinic tomorrow. However, they warned me that the wound clinic may decide to have me admitted if they feel there’s any risk of me becoming septic again.
I already have the young woman who boarded the cats for me the last time on alert, just in case. However, that means incurring daily boarding fees once more, with the extra charge because I still haven’t been able to get them to the vet for their shots, so she has to keep them isolated at her house instead of at the boarding facility. This is the main reason I’m hoping not to be admitted (or at least not until Monday, as they don’t do much on weekends anyway, so I’d be paying boarding fees just to lay in that bed instead of my own).
All this means that I may very well need more help before the month is out, just to cover the boarding fees for the cats if I have to be admitted again. This is why it’s especially urgent that the current amount needed is raised right away. Worst case, I can use some of that to help pay for boarding if necessary, and put off buying the clothing items to next month.
Hopefully I won’t need to be admitted at all, and the cats can stay home with me. But just in case this all goes south again, I’d like to at least have the current goal reached, for peace of mind if nothing else.
Please help if you can, either by donation or by spreading the word so hopefully others can help as well. Thank you all, so much!!
My Paypal is: MOELOE1126 at AOL dot COM
Amazon Wishlist (For now, only Advil is needed… I’m good on everything else for about 2 weeks, possibly longer if I end up in the hospital).