A few weeks ago, a very close friend of my son was suffering from Covid. She was treated for about a week and then released from the hospital.
 
A few days later, she told my son that she was feeling sick again and that a horrible rash was spreading all across her body. She sent him pictures of her swollen face and the rash the following day. It wasn't a pretty sight.
 
She visited the emergency room on three or four separate days and was told they had no diagnosis except it seemed to be a reaction to the Covid virus. Each time, she was told to go home and rest as if it was the flu.
 
Instead of improving, her symptoms became much worse, and finally, the hospital admitted her. When the doctor could not give her a definite diagnosis, she was released. Her legs were going numb, and the scale of pain was increasing. Rotating from hospital to hospital wasn't alleviating any of the problems. Everyone agreed she had a problem, but no one knew the cure.
 
Finally, she transferred to a much larger hospital in Chicago, where she stayed for several days. Her family was told she had a rare auto-immune disease, which was most likely (but not guaranteed) to be caused by the Covid virus. The suggested treatment was astronomical, and her insurance balked at paying it. She was told they would take it under advisement and give her their decision in three or four weeks.
 
The doctors told her it was possible if the disease continued to escalate, she might not live that long. They also informed her family she would have to pay upfront or be discharged. Of course, she went home again.
 
Every day, my son was in contact with her family, hoping for a miracle. Her mother called and asked him to pray with her for a miracle. At that time, I, too, became emotionally involved with the family and my son's heartbreak.
 
When enough money was gathered for four of the necessary shots, she went back into the hospital to receive them, and then she was discharged again.
 
We were devastated by the photos and all the family information Matt received and had no reason to doubt the situation.
 
Matt was all in for his friend. Hundreds of people posted on his website, offering prayers for her recovery. He'd been posting daily updates that he received so that her followers (she's an up-coming actress) and Matt's (the movie producer) could know what was happening.
 
At the same time, the company editing his current project gave him the trailer. It's called God's Not Here. Of course, being the proud writer/producer that he is, he also released it on his website.
 
Suddenly, things changed. A live video was released (not by Matt) of his friend, screaming horrifically in pain. It was gut-wrenching to watch and horrifying.
 
Matt's first shock was the video. He couldn't believe she'd want people to see her in that state. His second shock was she was the one behind it, but most people who thought it was over-the-top were attacking Matt, accusing him of trying to hype his upcoming movie with her terrible situation.
 
He was confused, and he wanted her to know people thought he did it and were bashing him all over Facebook and on his website. He asked his "good friend" to have her family post that Matt had nothing to do with it, but he got a definite no.
 
That's where the half in-half out began. In the beginning, we were behind every word, supporting her and praying. Now, suddenly Matt was receiving horrible publicity regarding his movie, integrity, and loyalty to his friend.
 
He asked once again when two of his clients interested in his film told him they were going to reconsider because profiting from someone's problems to promote his business wasn't something they wanted to be involved in.
 
Once again, he begged his "good friend" to take the posts down or at least inform the public they were done by her request. When he received the second no, he was devastated. He knew she'd been very ill, but she was taking advantage of him. Her site was skyrocketing, and even a television station wanted to interview her. Matt decided to remove everything that pertained to her from his websites with a note that anyone wishing to continue to follow should go to the following sites. (His friend's IDMB and the website used for her followers.) He never accused or made any statements; he just removed himself from the situation.
 
Matt concluded that his "good friend" found more profit in gaining recognition than preserving their friendship during her illness. HE HAD BEEN SCAMMED.
 
Though she has been in the hospital again for seven days and then released, we have no way of knowing just how ill she was. It's so difficult to doubt a friend or to believe they would use you to better their career, but it had all the characteristics of a scam.
 
Now, one completed and two partial films are collecting dust on a shelf because Matt doesn't want to continue with them, knowing the scam. Of course, a part of him still wants to believe it was a misunderstanding. His heart is shattered, and his mind is spiraling.
 
Yesterday, he decided to move on. He started writing a different script with his old team encouraging him to do it. There is no way he could have ever foreseen that his "sweet friend" would use her illness and his friendship to further her own career, regardless of his expense.
 
I asked for prayers believing she needed them. And, of course, she was ill and did need them. But somewhere, her needs grew into a dark monster. I suppose she still needs our prayers for her illness and for forgiveness for hurting others for her benefit.
 
I decided to write this because I felt all of you had been deceived as well. People we trust and love are often the ones who hurt us the most. I do not wish her harm or failure in her career. Though I hope someday, she will understand the damage she did to her "good friend" and the trust she destroyed.
 
I know I am his mom, but I also know the kind of man he is and will always be. His faith is strong, and he believes he will overcome this, but I wonder how long it takes for his heart to mend.