In Support of Molly, Dave & Luka š¾
Hi! Iām Molly, and that ball of floof sharing my pillow is Luka, our emotional support husky/malamute mix. Now I believe that a dog IS necessary, whether you are sick or not. But if you are in the same unfortunate position as I, a snuggle-buddy like Luka is nonnegotiable. Heās an SPCA rescue whose name means ābringer of light,ā and I couldnāt agree more šĀ
In 2024, I was diagnosed with a rare autoimmune disease called GPA Vasculitis with renal involvement. My illness effectively ended my 15-year career in medical billing and coding, so I filed for disability and am still waiting for a response to my hearing back in May. I have been praying for- no, RELYING on- a favorable outcome, as we simply cannot continue to live off only one income.Ā
I depend on Dave, my partner and primary caregiver, for nearly everything, which has been quite the adjustment for a bullheaded, fiercely independent person such as myself! As you know, itās become increasingly difficult to cover even basic living expenses for a majority of the population. But itās particularly challenging for those of us who suffer fromĀ chronic illness, as well as our loved ones- the few who sacrifice so much of their own resources, time and energy to support us in our worst moments.
Until recently, Dave and I both relied on one vehicle which got repossessed a few months ago. This resulted in the biweekly garnishment of roughly 1/3 of each of his paychecks. I donāt know how weāve even managed to keep our home honestly, but God always provides, at least in my experience. The right person or thing - the SOLUTION - will arrive, usually at the 11th hour when youāve reached the end of yourself, just as you begin to relinquish your grasp and unfurl your white flag. Iāve had to endure far too many of these ālessons in trust,ā but as I mentioned before, I can be stubborn šĀ
Being without a car has limited my ability to schedule and show up to critical medical appointments, one of which has taken over 8 months to establish. My condition has deteriorated rapidly while I search for any and every specialist in the state who might accept a new patient with my insurance. I even tried to get a consultation with a provider at a Vasculitis center OUT-of-state, considering that proper treatment is neither accessible nor available in OK. But even IF my insurance approved payment for an initial appointment (which it didnāt), I still wouldnāt be able to get there.Ā
Without a vehicle, Dave canāt stay or even visit with me when Iām in the hospital. IāveĀ encouraged him to findĀ caregiver support groups, so he can connect with others who understand what this is like. I tell him everyday how his presence is cherished and irreplaceable, but I want him to feel supported and understood by others, too. A car would give him the freedom and much-needed respite to regroup and recover (yes, even from ME š¢š)
Finally, our landlord has sold our building and I fear rent increases are around the corner. We canāt afford to move, let alone cover the deposit, first monthās rent and other moving costs.
I am humbly requesting any assistance you might offer to help us navigate this challenging season in our lives. We need secure, reliable transportation to help me get to and from medical appointments, a security deposit/first monthās rent for a new home and any additional funding to offset related moving costs. Also, prayers and good vibes are ALWAYS encouraged and appreciated.Ā
But above all, I want to express my deepest gratitude for the countless blessings I DO have. Not everyone has a safe place to sleep, a roof over their head, enough food, or amazing peopleĀ to share it withā¦People whose love and support keep me pushing hopefully forward out of the shadow and into the light.Ā
GPA Vasculitis has upended my life in every way possible, and I used to believe it was the worst thing that would ever happen to me. But in the last 18 months, Iāve discovered itās also the best. Without the career Iād grown to resent and all the time Iād thrown at it, Iāve had the privilege of working with other patients, as well as leaders of the Vasculitis Foundation, Links2Equity and RDDC (Rare Disease Diversity Coalition). Together we published a paper and companion webinar to advocate for those of us suffering from this debilitating and rare disease, offering avenues for connection, support and self-advocacy (please see our paper here: RDDC Vasculitis Patient Recommendations). I plan to continue my work in patient advocacy, healthcare reform and increasing support for greater access to proper treatment, particularly for those suffering from rare and chronic disease.
I am a firm believer in the power of community, which is also something Iām trying to build through my blog/burgeoning podcast on Substack, called āThe Irreparable Collective.ā It has seen minimal growth due to my health issues, but itās been a great way for me to work through my own thoughts and feelings about my disease. Ultimately, I hope my writing offers people a safe space to rediscover their voice and a new kind of power- one rooted in vulnerability, authenticity and connection. (Hereās a link to my blog, please feel free to share if it speaks to you:
My point is this: Iāve met so many incredible people, brimming with limitless courage and enthusiasm, whoāve shown me how to enjoy life, even in sickness. Theyāve offered me numerous opportunities to be of service and pass on the experience, strength and hope Iāve appreciated, post-diagnosis. My heart is FULL with gratitude, even when pain leaves me bedridden. In this past year, Iāve experienced more moments of pure joy, love, and peace than I EVER have throughout my lifetime. And I can honestly say, I wouldnāt trade it for the world.
ššš©· Molly
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Updates
Keep up to date as needs change.
Jul 12, 2026
So thankful we were able to cover extenuating costs for Vasculitis Symposium!
We are able to attend this weekendās conference through the generos...
Jul 07, 2026
Amazing new opportunity just on the horizon, but we need to move fast.
What happened: I have been blessed beyond measure, chosen as a scho...
May 14, 2026
Today was indeed a good dayā¦š¤š
I logged into my dashboard and was surprised and very humbled to se...
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