Hi, I am a teacher in my mid-30's.  In the past 5 years, I have been in and out of the hospital and while I was able to pay the medical bills at first, I have now been diagnosed with 2 chronic conditions: Crohn's disease and Interstitial Cystitis.  These conditions leave me very tired at the end of the day and in extreme pain.  I do my best to make it to work each day because I can't afford to miss a day (no work=no pay) but this past year I missed 28 days.  The year before I missed 7 weeks due to a hysterectomy and then pretty much the entire spring semester while my doctor's tried to figure out the Crohn's diesase.  I owe so many doctors that I have lost count, but I figure if I could just get my goal, that would be a start.  I have another surgery scheduled in November over my Thanksgiving break (so I won't miss work days).  I am a hard working person and I just hope that there is someone out there that can help me because I don't know what else to do.  Thank you for reading up on me.  Oh - if you were wondering- I teach 7th grade science.  :)