why would a menstrual cycle be a month long?

[Melissa Y]

I know its not normal for a period to last that long but I don't know why its lasting this long and I don't have insurance right now. I'm making a free clinic appointment but I don't know how much they can do about it or if they can even tell me whats going on because I'm afraid they might not have the proper equipment to examine me. and I'm so worried I can't sleep. I'm worried that I could be pregnant and miscarrying because my period was late and when it finally started I was relieved but then when it didn't stop I was starting to get worried. I started my period on the 17th of November and I had a small break for a few hours about a week or so into my "period" I had cramps at first but then they stopped after the first break in my "period" and I kept bleeding, normal bleeding for me I fill up a medium sized pad in 3 hours on heavy bleeding and light bleeding its like spotting and I had all of the above in this "period" I had another break this morning and then I took a nap and when I woke up my pad was filled. please someone tell me what is going on. and please re-frame from making the "ewww that's disgusting" comments.