If you’re a follower of mine, you know it’s been a rough year.  I’ve been unemployed for a few years because of anxiety and the depression side of bipolar II and have been supported by my parents and help from friends.  Only this month have I found a medication combination that has allowed me to get (and hopefully keep) a job again.

This year, though, my mom had cancer twice - breast cancer leading to a double mastectomy and then melanoma just a couple weeks ago.  We’re still waiting to hear if she will need chemo after this last surgery.  That’s been expensive.  So has my insurance - even being unemployed, my premiums are nearly $600 a month and my parents pay that.  Mom’s also diabetic and Dad has celiac and glaucoma as well as many benign skin cancers that he frequently has removed.

I’ve had issues with back pain and sciatica this year.  My ENT wants to do a second surgery to correct mistakes from my tonsillectomy last year.  And now I’ve been diagnosed with sleep apnea.

It makes sense.  The last six months, I’ve had trouble staying asleep for more than an hour or so and I’m frequently out of breath when I lie down.  The sleep clinic I went to is giving me a CPAP machine in the hopes it helps me not suffocate at night.

The problem is, my insurance won’t cover anything until my deductible is met - and after that, they will only cover 80%.  My deductible is fairly low - only $850 - but that’s still is a lot, considering all the other medical expenses my family has.  I just started working and can’t afford to pay it myself (I haven’t even gotten my first paycheck yet).  My parents are looking at taking out a mortgage to cover all our medical bills.  

To top it off, even though I’m getting the CPAP this December, insurance won’t bill for it until January, when my full deductible will be due.

The cost of the CPAP I have been given is $975 and I am on the hook for $875.  

I’ve set up a YouCaring site.  All money sent there will go directly to pay for the CPAP.  I also have a PayPal, if you prefer that method.  I would love to surprise my parents with the full amount when the bill comes due in January, but anything is appreciated and everything helps.