I never imagined I would be in a position where I had to ask for help like this, but we are drowning in medical debt and I don’t know what else to do.

My daughter, Savannah, is deaf and epileptic. She has cochlear implants, which have become a critical part of our current medical emergency.

Recently, Savannah was denied both SSI and Medicaid. Although they acknowledged her disabilities, they stated they were not severe enough to prevent her from working “a less demanding job.” We are appealing the decision and we will keep fighting, but the process can take over a year while the medical bills continue piling up now.

In February, Savannah developed what initially appeared to be a routine ear infection. After 3.5 months of failed treatments, I pushed for doctors to look deeper. A CT scan revealed the infection had spread into her mastoid bone. Within two hours of the scan results, she was admitted to the hospital to begin IV antibiotics.

Cultures have now shown four different fungi growing in her ear, with her cochlear implant acting as a host for the infection. Right now, doctors are trying to prevent the infection from spreading into her brain while also trying to save the implant.

The hospital placed a PICC line, and Savannah was released to home health care. She is currently on continuous IV antibiotics running 24/7, in addition to oral antifungal medications. Our hope is that this aggressive treatment will stop the spread of infection and save her cochlear implant. If successful, she will still require oral antibiotics for an additional six months after the PICC line is removed.

If treatment fails, Savannah will need surgery to remove the infected tissue and bone, along with removal of the cochlear implant itself. She would then undergo another six months of antibiotics before doctors could even consider reimplanting a new cochlear device once the infection is fully cleared.

Since Wayne passed away eight years ago, I have carried the medical expenses for Savannah and my other daughter, who also suffers from severe epilepsy, on my own. I have done everything I can, but it has become overwhelming.

We do have insurance through the marketplace, but our out-of-pocket maximum is $19,500. I am responsible for 35% of all pharmacy costs, which are currently nearing $3,000 every four days — and that does not include hospital stays, specialist appointments, or home health care expenses.

Anything helps, truly. If you are unable to give financially, please consider sharing this and praying for Savannah. We are praying every day that this treatment works so she can avoid another surgery and keep her cochlear implant.

Thank you for reading, for sharing, for praying, and for standing with us during this incredibly difficult time.