This is my last-ditch effort of what feels like a pointless attempt, but here we go. Hello, my name is Douglas Linderberry, and boy, do I have a major problem or a steady stream of bad luck.
In April of this year, I woke up one morning with what felt like a stiff knee. I proceeded to continue on and not pay much attention to it. I went to work and pushed through the pain. While delivering a couch, I got down from the back of the truck only to have my knee give out on me. The pain continued for a week. I ended up going to the emergency room at Wilson Hospital. I was told it was rheumatoid arthritis and sent home, but the more I used my leg, the worse the pain got. I ended up going back to the hospital due to my knee giving out while I was walking down our stairs and getting referred to UHS Orthopedics in Vestal. I was seen, and she said it would take some time to figure out what the actual problem is. I am now stuck wearing a knee brace 24/7. I was placed on light duty and referred to physical therapy to see if it helps. As of today’s date, there has been no change in my knee—still painful and still not sure what is wrong. I am now very limited on what I can and can’t do. I can’t run without it giving out, I can’t stand for long periods of time, and I can’t go for long walks.
In May of this year, I was at work on light duty doing collection runs when I had a sudden onset of chest pain that felt like my chest was going to explode. I was having nausea, jaw pain, and arm pain. I was brought back to the store by my coworker, and my boss called 911. I was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with Supraventricular Tachycardia, known as SVT for short, which is a faster than normal heart rate beginning above the heart’s two lower chambers. Supraventricular tachycardia is a rapid heartbeat that develops when the normal electrical impulses of the heart are disrupted. There may be symptoms like heart palpitations, or there may be no symptoms at all. When I was brought in, my heart was at 270 bpm when it should have only been between 60-100 bpm. I was immediately referred to a cardiologist with UHS and brought in as soon as an appointment opened up. From there, I was put on a tighter work restriction, which led to me being placed on a non-paid leave of absence. My most recent stress test was a disaster. I ended up having another SVT and was advised that something with my heart is not right. I now have to have more testing done, including wearing a monitor and a bunch of X-rays of my heart, as I most likely have a blockage. The cardiologist is afraid it could be heart disease or heart failure, as I’ve already had 3 heart attacks, and heart issues run in my family on both sides, which puts me at a higher risk. I was advised to limit physically demanding activities, which really sucks for me as I’m not the type to like to sit around. I like constantly being on the go, and now I can’t do that.
When I was placed on leave, I was originally told I was approved for short-term disability. Then, after three weeks, I was told I was not approved due to not paying into it, even though I elected and had it withdrawn from my check. So now I’m on non-paid leave. Originally, I was hoping to be cleared after my stress test to return to work, but like always, nothing ever goes the way I’d like it to go.
At the time of this post, we are falling behind on bills due to being limited to one income every two weeks. We don’t get assistance of any type—no cash assistance, no food stamps. So with two growing pre-teen children, food shopping can be pretty expensive. With the cost of food every two weeks sometimes almost $300.00, it’s super tight. On average, by the time we pay what bills we can, get food and stuff for the house and animals, we have nothing left. And now today, Sunday, June 8th, our car is now having a major misfire, making our car undrivable. My plan/hope for this is to raise enough money to get our light bill, car payment caught up, stock up on food, and get our car fixed.
For those of you who made it this far, if you have any doubt about anything in this fundraiser, I’d be 100% willing to talk to you and show you all the letters and doctor’s stuff.
PS: If you can’t donate, we understand as times are tough for a lot of people. So all we ask is if you can’t donate, share it and get the word out.
Thank you in advance, The Linderberry/Hyde family