Hi Frances!
I'm sorry that things are going so bad for you. That's not fair but sometimes life gets very unfair. I know. I've been there a few times myself. The first thing you do is pray and pray hard! Tell God that it is an emergency and you just don't know how you are going to handle this mess you are in! I remember you stated that you weren't raised in a church setting but you don't have to be. The main reason churches started up was there was no paper invented yet and everything had to be communicated by word of mouth and what better way than in a group in a church? All God asks is that you ask for his help. In the Bible it says "Ask and it will be given to you." Also in the Bible it states, "He knows of all your needs." So, just pray and have faith.

The next thing you might want to do is address your financial problems such as you stated about calling the creditors and establishing a plan. By the way, include them in your prayers too. God is very good with money problems. Also did you know that Pawn Shops will often buy items in good condition outright from you? You don't have to pawn them. My husband and I are down sizing and we take stuff to a pawn shop. They buy the items and at a very good price. That way you don't have to have a garage sale or advertise it and have strangers coming to your home. At the Pawn Shop that we go to, they said they see a lot of people doing this for that reason that they don't want strangers coming to their home.

Then address your food situation. Food has become very expensive lately. (Do you really have to feed Carolyn?) Save coupons and shop sales. You probably already do this. Even go to a food bank if you have to. I did for many years and it really helped a lot.

For your peace of mind, perhaps you should stay away from your sister and her husband until things settle down in your own life.

I wish you the best with everything especially the MRI's! I will also remember you in my prayers.
PML