Hi, my name is Erin, and I am raising funds for my daughter, Ava (who is only 19), who has recently been diagnosed with gastroparesis — a chronic condition where the stomach muscles don’t function properly. Right now, her stomach is only functioning at about 20%.

Just this past week, Ava’s world turned upside down. She was started on Reglan, the “gold standard” medication for gastroparesis, but suffered a severe anaphylactic reaction that sent her to the hospital by ambulance. The very next day, we rushed back when she developed extreme abdominal pain that was so intense it caused abnormal heart rhythms.

Ava has now been hospitalized for over a week. She’s been on strong IV antibiotics to try to help with her GI motility. The medications were so harsh on her veins that she had to have a midline catheter placed. She has spent the week on a liquid diet, and just today was able to try her first bite of solid food as a trial.

Unfortunately, there’s still no discharge plan in sight. Her care team is working hard to get her pain under control and her stomach moving, even just a little. On top of this, she is being referred to the University of Miami for further diagnostics, including a HIDA scan, because of unexplained elevated liver enzymes. Earlier this year, Ava had her gallbladder removed, but looking back, we now believe her pain was from gastroparesis all along, not expecting a healthy 19-year-old to be facing this diagnosis.

As you can imagine, this has been overwhelming — physically, emotionally, and financially. Ava is currently unable to work, and she will be living with this chronic illness for the rest of her life. She needs help covering her basic living expenses as well as mounting medical bills.

We are asking for any support you can give to help Ava focus on healing without the added stress of financial strain that every young adult is facing in today’s economy. Every donation, no matter the size, makes a difference. If you cannot give, please consider sharing this page so that others may see her story.

From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for your love, prayers, and generosity as we help Ava navigate this new and difficult journey.

With gratitude, Erin & Family