I never imagined I'd be asking for help like this. For over 20 years, I dedicated my life to caring for others as a registered nurse. I stood beside patients and families during some of the hardest moments of their lives. I couldn't have anticipated I would one day be fighting for my own.

In 2020/2021, I was hospitalized with COVID-19 and diagnosed with multiple blood clots in both lungs—called pulmonary emboli. And although the situation was urgent and possibly life-threatening, I received great care and was able to go home on oxygen and blood thinners, believing I would heal. But I never truly recovered, but rather progressively got worse.

By October 2024, everything catastrophically deteriorated. I was hospitalized again with more blood clots in both lungs. Since then, my life has changed in ways I never thought possible.

Today, I live on oxygen 24/7. I use a CPAP machine every night. I take lifelong blood thinners, among several other medically necessary medications. I’ve lost significant weight trying to improve my health and I'm continuing to work on that. And yet, I still struggle to breathe. Even at rest, my oxygen levels can drop dangerously low without my oxygen. Simple, everyday tasks leave me gasping for air. The feeling of not being able to breathe is not something I would wish on anyone.

My doctors are now evaluating me for a rare and serious condition called CTEPH (chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension), which carries a life expectancy of just 1 to 3 years if untreated. There is a highly specialized surgery that could give me a chance at a normal life—but it is complex, high-risk, and extremely expensive. If it turns out not to be CTEPH, the alternatives may be just as life-threatening, with fewer treatment options.

Because of my condition, I have been unable to work for a few years now. My husband is our only source of income and has been for some time, and despite doing everything we can, we have fallen behind on our mortgage. We are now facing the very real possibility of losing our home.

We have two teenagers still at home. They have already endured so much through my illness, and the thought of them losing the home they love is heartbreaking. I don't even know how we would begin to uproot and try to start over somewhere else when I'm going through so much medically. We live a simple rural life in North Florida—nothing extravagant, just a place we’ve worked hard for and hoped to keep.

Asking for help is very difficult because I have always been the one giving care, not asking for it. But right now, we truly need support and if everyone able, just donated what it costs for a cup of coffee it would make such a difference and those with more resources if you could donate as you see fit we would be so grateful. If not, then sharing this with others can help just as much.

We are asking for help to:

I am still fighting—with everything I have—not just for my health, but for my family and our future.

Thank you for taking the time to read our story, and for any support, prayers, or encouragement you can give.

With gratitude,

The Hostetler Family

(Stacie, Brad, Chloe, and Isaac)