<div><strong>Valentina has a condition called Gastroparesis, which has gotten devastatingly worse within the last few months, to the point where it has almost taken over her life completely!</strong> Instead of being in classes, Valentina has been forced to spend her time at the nurse's office, sometimes multiple times a day, vomiting up the contents of her stomach, all because she wanted to eat breakfast or lunch with her peers, just like any other teenager her age would do! Unfortunately, food doesn’t stay down for her the way it does for others, with her bird-like portions making their way back up in what seems like only a matter of minutes. Because of this, she has had a rapid decline in her weight, leading her to have multiple ER visits, GI evaluations, scans, and tests, all to no avail! Medications have not been working for her, so we have been desperately trying other ways to get her nutritional intake, like putting her on a high-protein liquid diet. Despite all of our efforts, she is still extremely underweight, and we are, at this point, very concerned for her health and well-being, as she seems to be wasting away right before our eyes!

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<div>On top of all of this, she also has been suffering from a type of dysautonomia called Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), a condition that we have found out has been actually causing her Gastroparesis! Her episodes of dizzy spells from the POTS have become so extreme that she is medically unable to attend school moving forward, and will soon be forced to leave all of her friends, and the joy that she experiences with her teachers, as well as other faculty members, to live a life of solitude studying online at home, all due to the fact that it is now too much of a fall risk for her to be traversing the hallways and stairs!

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<div>“Approximately 25% of POTS patients are too disabled to work or attend school.”

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<div>Because POTS is usually a secondary dysautonomia, or autonomic dysfunction, it means that her condition is probably being caused by another medical issue. Further testing would be required in order to find this out, as “treatment of the underlying disorder is critical in order to control POTS symptoms,” according to the experts at standinguptopots.org!

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<div>Now the hunt begins to solve the mystery as to the cause of her debilitating, life-altering condition!

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<div>Since Hershey Medical Center does not have an in-house specialist for these types of conditions, they refer all of their patients with what appears to be an autonomic nervous system dysfunction to The Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia’s Acquired Autonomic Dysfunction Program!

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<div>Hopefully, this is where we will get a proper diagnosis and start her on a much-needed treatment plan!

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<div><strong>We are now officially out of resources to pay for everything that she needs to get better, and insurance does not cover all of the specialized neurological care that is required for her to heal!</strong> This is why we have decided to reach out to family, friends, and the community for support!

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<div>What Your Donations Would Be Going For:

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<div>Advanced Neurological Evaluations, Physical Therapy for POTS, Vestibular Therapy, Psychosocial Treatments, Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy, Compression Therapy, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Relaxation Training/Stress Management, Chiropractic Adjustments by a chiropractic neurologist, Holistic Therapies, Extended Recovery Care, Travel and ongoing medical expenses!

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<div>Herbs &amp; Supplements that have been shown to help others to heal from the same types of dysautonomia symptoms that my daughter has:

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<div>Natural Electrolytes, Salt Tablets, Zinc, Magnesium, B1 &amp; B-complex, D3 vitamins, zeolite, Licorice Root, Green/Black Tea &amp; Lion's Mane, &amp; Protein Shakes to help her to gain weight and give her the nutrition that she so desperately needs!

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<div>Products For POTS That May Help To Ease Her Pain &amp; Suffering:

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<div>Vagus Nerve Stimulator, At Home Monitoring Devices, A Weighted Blanket, Compression Socks, Neck Compression, etc…

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<div>A wearable heart rate monitor for on the go so that she knows when she is getting a spike in her heart rate, and, subsequently, a dizzy spell, so that she is able to find a place to sit down before she falls down instead!

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<div>An adjustable bed, as raising your head while you sleep helps with orthostatic stress &amp; gastric motility issues!

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<div>This has been a very long journey already, but we are hoping that with your help, it will have a happy ending very soon!

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<div>Please help us to give Valentina her life back!

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<div><strong>Every dollar matters, so please just give whatever you can! Every dollar is greatly appreciated!</strong>

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<div>“POTS, like all forms of dysautonomia, is characterized by dysfunction of the autonomic nervous system. It affects blood pressure, heart rate, blood vessel and pupil diameter, peristaltic movements of the digestive tract, and body temperature. POTS is characterized by orthostatic intolerance. When standing, a lack of vessel constriction leads to blood pooling in the legs and abdomen. The shortage of blood in the brain upon standing can result in dizziness, light-headedness, and possibly fainting. Other symptoms include tachycardia, chest pain, nausea, gastrointestinal issues, abnormal sweating, and cognitive impairments. Many symptoms are decreased by lying down, and returning blood to the heart and brain.

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<div>A person with POTS uses three times more energy to stand than normal. Even minor movements around the house can be exhausting and increase symptoms. The quality of life for those with POTS is comparable to those with rheumatoid arthritis, end-stage renal disease, congestive heart failure, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Often, POTS can limit mobility and stamina so that even young adults require assistive devices (e.g., wheelchair, shower chair, and handicap placard).” ~Journal of Health Science &amp; Education

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