The Benoit Family

Logan has been struggling with Ulcerative Colitis since he was about 10-11 years old. Just this year he decided to stay with me permanently to finish out his senior year and go to college to be a welder. About a month ago Logan started getting sick. We thought he had Covid and it was negative. He was still not getting any better. So I took him to Children's Hospital to get checked out. Of course they ran another Covid test. You can never be too careful. The doctors ran a bunch of bloods tests, x-rays, imaging, scans, etc. Thankfully nothing points to cancer. The doctors did confirm hyperthyroidism. He also has autoimmune hepatitis. He also has a really bad flare up from his colitis. He had a liver biopsy done as well because it is inflamed.

It has been almost a month and the doctors wanted to make sure they had the right diagnosis to give him the right medications. In the mean time I have been driving back and forth to the hospital. I took time off of work to be with Logan during the day and home at night to take care of his siblings. I am almost out of leave and have asked my work for donated leave. I am a veteran and a single mom with one income trying to make ends meet. Logan lost a lot of weight so I had to buy him new clothes. Parking every day costs money thankfully for now a social worker was able to provide some free parking vouchers. I am able to get meal vouchers so that I can eat for free but I also have food sensitivities so I am having to buy extra food to bring to the hospital. Logan has been eating a ton more being that he is on steroids and he needs to gain weight. According to county I am not eligible for food support and emergency funds being I am just over the income guidelines. Logan is getting medical assistance so the medical is not a problem. I normally work from home so saving money on gas is a plus but since Logan is in the hospital I am spending more money on gas. I am too tired when I get home to even cook for my other kids and they do know how to cook for themselves but they are still learning how to cook. I have been spending more money on food. I have tried locating food shelves that do deliver. I had an emergency fund but now that is gone trying to keep up with bills and taking care of my family needs. Once Logan gets home he going to need space and certain foods to help him heal his colon and liver. I want to get back to saving for my emergency fund etc.