Dear Friends,

On July 6, I ended up in Urgent Care and then the Emergency Room at Christus St Vincent in Santa Fe with 2 very large blood clots (deep vein thrombosis) in both peroneal veins, starting just above the knee and down to my lower my right calf. I have had to return multiple times. For the time being, the monks at The Monastery of the Holy Archangel Michael have agreed to let me stay there while I seek medical treatment in Santa Fe, and I have access to a cabin only an hour north of them.

Only a week before this medical crisis, I had accepted a ranch manager job in Galisteo, NM with housing and a fair wage, but I was terminated immediately upon my diagnosis because I was unable to perform the agreed job due to pain and doctor’s advice for potential of pulmonary embolism.

I’m on blood thinners but the doctors are telling me I am going to be off manual labor for 3-6 months until the clots clear. I am looking for online work and potential substitute teaching where I may not be required to stand. Im also a decent folk musician and people have hired me to play before (where I can sit) and I have always gotten positive feedback, and I’m wide open to other ideas.

In the meantime, I’m sad to say I simply cannot keep up with several expenses:

1. Gas/vehicle repair: with gas approaching $5/gal in Abiquiu and Santa Fe this has become my most urgent need, averaging $500/month now and $3,500 since February, along with vehicle repairs. I’ve been staying in my 97 Nissan pathfinder half-time and have have put 11,000 miles on it in the last 6 months, and several thousand in the last 1 month. It needs: brakes, control arms, automatic window motor, emissions repairs (it won’t pass), wheel bearing, and tune up. I will post a more specific estimate as soon as I have one - I expect no less than $1,500.
2. phone bill $60
3. uncovered medical expenses: So far insurance has been pretty good - I’m seeing a hematologist in September for a bunch of genetic testing which I’m told is not likely to be covered. Amount to be determined.
4. a cheap room in Santa Fe when I go for treatment. (July 24, August 15, and September 3) 50 x 3 = $150
5. August/September housing: $500-$1100

thank you for your consideration. Anything helps. Any extra funds will be donated to the monastery or All Saints of North America in Albuquerque.

God bless you.

Dismas (Conor Gilliland)