At the beginning of March this year, life finally seemed to be on the up for me and my partner, Abi.

We were both finally working, and everything was going smoothly. Until i woke up one morning, sweating buckets, my abdomen painfully swollen, and i was barely able to walk.

Over the next week i had an exploratory procedure under anasthesia, and was discharged to only be readmitted on the 13th of March, and on the 14th underwent emergency surgery, as my bowel had ruptured, twisted, and caused me to suffer what is called four quadrant peritonitis, a very serious and regularly life threatening condition. I was lucky. My surgeon said another 24hrs and the chances are i would not be writing this right now.

I am now finally home and slowly recovering and coming to terms with what has happened to me, but i am unable / unfit to work until in all likelihood June, perhaps even July. This is putting incredible strain financially on my partner, as i am not elligible for statutory sick pay, and my universal credit status is on hold.

i’ve never liked asking for help with money, but currently I can’t think of any other way. Seeing the strain and emotion on my partners face everytime another bill arrives is crushing me, so i would like to ask any of my friends to help out if they can.