An Unusual Christmas Letter in August and a Plea for Help

Dear One, 

You are receiving this letter because you have subscribed to one or more of my newsletters. If this is a duplicate request from us, forgive the repetition please.

Most of you know that I have had a chronic disease for more than half my life. But no one could have planned for this past year, not even me, Little Miss Organized. 

Try these on for plot points: 

Unexplained Abdominal Pain
Sore toe > Hospitalization: IV antibiotics
Might lose right leg > Angio to install an Iliac Stent & keep leg
Two partial amputations needed >Hospitalization: pleural effusions & then amputations
Uncontrolled Abdominal Bleeding > Emergency ICU Hospitalization: Ulcerated interior scar—needed three transfusions—I nearly bled out twice
Unexplained Vaginal Bleeding > Hospitalization: D & C > Hospitalization: Full Hysterectomy
Kidney Failure > Hospitalization: reveals massive silent heart attack & onset of dialysis 

The stealth heart attack was a real shocker, but the kidney failure has been predicted for the last decade or so, and I’d been forewarned that there was nothing to be done about it. It just comes hand in hand with the chronic disease, a sort of bonus, if you will. 

If this were the plot of a soap opera, I might find it believable. As the events of my life for the last year … well, that’s another story, but also a true one. What I’ve been saying is, the invoice for this disease came due this year. All of it, or at least, a whole lot of it. 

Several friends have wondered whether I’d perhaps gone silent and deep. That’s one way to look at it. Truth? These sorts of events definitely keep one busy, but what they do not and have not  allowed for is productive or consistent work, and so I write humbly to ask for your help. 

Ultimately, this story will end with a successful kidney transplant. That’s the next step, and I plan to pursue it ardently once things settle into a routine with dialysis. 

Help has already been forthcoming from some friends who started a Go Fund Me to tide us over this time of unexpected need. If you’re interested in the nitty-gritty of the story, or want to add your contribution there, please feel free. 

Another way you can assist is to put the call out to your social media for support. That’s how funds have been amassed so far, and we are so grateful for each and every gift. If you decide to support us this way, there are a couple paragraphs to describe what people will be supporting at the end of this missive. 

You may make a fully tax-deductible contribution via Sanctuary through Friends & Family with Paypal here. Or you may snail mail checks to 16 Van Gaasbeck Street, Kingston, NY 12401. 

My husband Tony Amato and I both have worked freelance for all the years of our careers. We have no institutions behind us. Essentially, we need to cover an income gap for as many as six  months so that life can stabilize again. It perhaps ought to go without saying that despite my very good insurance, the medical bills are staggering. 

Having sown tirelessly for decades into the many communities and people that welcomed my help, I am confident that the sanctuary I offered others will now be returned to me a hundredfold. Thanking you in advance for reading this, and for any prayer you offer or contribution you make. 

Yours most sincerely, 

 Susan 

Dr. Susan Corso

A group of us launched a fundraiser for Susan and Tony, longtime friends who have always given back to our community for many decades. As clergy, counselor, and consultant, Susan has facilitated spiritual growth for many folks for many years. Tony has nurtured and sponsored young gay and trans writers for more than thirty years.

Susan recently faced a major health crisis- kidney failure and emergency dialysis - and Tony has stepped up as her primary caregiver, but their mounting medical and living expenses are overwhelming.

If you’re able, please consider donating or sharing to help them cover urgent costs and ensure Susan gets the care she needs. Every bit of support makes a real difference. 

https://gofund.me/dec41c2cf