Dear Friends, Family, and Kind Strangers,

My name is Ashley, and for the past five years, I’ve been on a grueling journey battling Thoracic Outlet Syndrome (TOS)—a condition that compresses my arteries, nerves and blood vessels in my neck and shoulder, turning everyday life into a constant fight for survival. What started as a desperate surgery to fix it ended up nearly ending me. Today, I’m reaching out through GoFundMe because I need your help to raise $16,000 for a non-invasive stem cell treatment that could finally give me relief without risking another surgery. This isn’t just about healing my body—it’s about reclaiming my future with my two incredible children, whom I love more than anything.

Let me take you back to that fateful day in 2020. I underwent a right subclavian rib resection to remove the extra rib causing my TOS symptoms. But during the procedure, I had a severe allergic reaction to the general anesthesia. I flatlined—I died on the operating table. The surgical team revived me, but the damage was done. They couldn’t remove the entire rib, and the complications left me partially paralyzed on my right side for seven agonizing months. I couldn’t hold my head up, brush my teeth, or even assist my then-young children without excruciating pain shooting through my arm and chest. My husband at the time refused to believe my condition was real, dismissing it as “all in my head.” With two little ones depending on me, I felt utterly alone, trapped in a body that had betrayed me.

Those months blurred into a nightmare. Allergic to nearly all pain medications, I had no relief from the throbbing agony or the involuntary muscle spasms that seized my throat, making it hard to swallow or breathe. I taught myself biofeedback therapy—hours of focused breathing exercises in front of a mirror—to regain control and prevent choking episodes. It was terrifying, but it was my lifeline. Slowly, with sheer willpower, I relearned how to breathe, one shaky inhale at a time.

The fallout was devastating. I lost my career as a certified Inpatient pharmacy technician , a career I loved that gave me purpose and financial stability. My marriage crumbled under the strain, leading to a brutal divorce where I had to sell my share of our family home just to survive. Homeless in spirit if not always in body, I poured everything into my kids—their laughter became my anchor, their tiny hands my reason to keep fighting.

Recognizing that my muscles were deteriorating further in the cold Northern California climate (where even small movements felt impossible), I collaborated with the brilliant Dr. Misty Humphries at UC Davis to create a customized physical therapy plan. It focused on gentle strengthening and nerve gliding to combat the atrophy. But I knew I needed more—a warmer environment where I could move without freezing up. So, I made the leap: I packed up my life and moved across the country to Florida. The Gulf of Mexico became my sanctuary. Swimming was the only exercise I could tolerate—no jarring impacts, just the soothing buoyancy supporting my weakened limbs. For a full year, I swam daily, rain or shine, rebuilding strength inch by inch. Miraculously, my right side recovered enough that I could finally taper off the few medications I could take—the ones that fogged my brain, stole my focus, and made me question if life was worth the pain. For the first time in years, I felt like me again: clear-headed, hopeful, alive.

But TOS doesn’t play fair. I’m a bilateral patient, meaning it affects both sides. Now, my left side is screaming in pain—nerves firing like live wires, limiting my mobility and threatening the progress I’ve clawed back. Another surgery? The thought terrifies me. With my anesthesia allergy and inability to take pain meds, recovery could be even worse than before. That’s why I’m turning to regenerative medicine: a cutting-edge stem cell treatment with Konnect Relief. This non-invasive option uses my own stem cells to repair damaged tissue, reduce inflammation, and potentially halt the progression without the risks of the OR. Experts believe it could preserve the function I have left on my left side, giving me a shot at a pain-free life. The total cost is $16,000—covering the procedure, follow-up therapies, and travel if needed—and insurance won’t touch it.

Why now? Because of my two beautiful children. They’re 12 and 18 now, full of wonder and dreams, and every day I fight harder so I can be there for their milestones—the graduations, the celebrations and someday, their own families. I want to chase them on the beach, not watch from a wheelchair. I want to build sandcastles with steady hands, not ones that tremble from spasms. They’ve seen me at my lowest, but they’ve also witnessed my resilience. Your support could turn that resilience into real recovery.

Every dollar counts toward this goal:

• $16,000 total: Stem cell injections, pre/post-care PT, and any diagnostics.

• Even small donations add up—$25 covers a therapy session, $100 helps with travel.

If you can’t donate, sharing this campaign means the world—it could reach someone who can. From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story, for believing in miracles born from community, and for helping me write a new chapter. Let’s make this possible together.

With gratitude and hope,


Ashley

[P.S. I’ll post updates here as we go—swim progress pics, therapy wins, and treatment day! Feel free to message me with questions.

Goal: $16,000 | Raised: $1,000 | 0 donors