I typed a long well thought out reply, but just before posting I realised you probably just need a little magic and a hug. So here they are, feel better soon.
I run the below filter. It has a removable "cartridge" with a about 5cm worth of poly filter pads kind of the same they use for fish tanks. It cleans up nicely, I just zap it with a hose and leave it in the sun to dry for an hour. Are you current fans going to be adequate to do the 55 minimum air exchanges through the filter?