The Farlow Family

Hi Everyone,

I am 43 years old and have been on a journey to heal and recover my physical and mental health after receiving life altering diagnosis' that significantly impacts my ability to fully function independently. After nine years of symptoms and no answers, I was diagnosed with fibromyalgia in September of 2022. I was finally getting answers, however, I knew there was something deeper going on with me. I continued my pursuit to find answers and in October of 2022, I was diagnosed with a rare disease called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). I had never heard of MCAS so began learning everything I could about it. One of the many symptoms of MCAS is neuroinflammation. For about four to five months before I received the diagnosis of MCAS, I was struggling with focus, memory, organization and task completion. I was also struggling with regulating my emotions. I noticed that my speech was somewhat off, and I was struggling to find certain words and my brain got tired easily. This was devastating to me as I have always been a high performer and life-long learner. After discussing this with the doctor that treats me for MCAS, she felt this more than neuroinflammation and suggested I see a neurologist. I scheduled my appointment and was referred for a brain scan. That week I was told that I had markings on my brain that indicated a TIA in my right temporal lobe. I do not know when this happened, but I knew my brain was not functioning at the capacity it had been. The information was heart breaking, but I was finally starting to get answers. 

Prior to my diagnosis, I was a high school special education teacher, work-based learning coordinator and resource specialist in the charter schools. I was also a high school dance team coach. As my symptoms increased, I left teaching and worked for two private families for four years that were understanding and supportive of the health challenges I was facing. Around the time of my diagnosis', my symptoms were becoming extreme and impacting my performance and ability to function daily. At that time, I left work and became a full-time patient. I needed to take a step back from always helping everyone else and listen to the screams of my body. Unfortunately, being unemployed had significant financial consequences for me. Being a previous resource specialist served me well as I was able to utilize some of the help offered within the community and have a wonderful best friend that helped me navigate it all with the deficits I was experiencing. One thing that I am still struggling to pay and maintain is my home. I had just purchased my first home in May of 2022. I had enough money saved to pay my mortgage for six months and then had to apply for a forbearance and then loan modification. It was not an ideal option, but it was my only option at the time. Due to the forbearance and modification, my mortgage has significantly increased, and I am struggling to keep it. I do animal sitting for work as I continue to heal and attend all of my appointments and do the things needed to get me well again. This unfortunately does not cover all of my bills, particularly my mortgage. I have been in the process of applying for disability to assist me as I walk this journey but that is a lengthy process and could still take up to another six months for me to receive. I am currently two months behind on my mortgage and am asking for financial support to relieve some of the financial burden and fear I have of losing my home. I know God has his hand in this and want to thank you for taking your time to read my story. Thank you!