My Fight for My Life — Please Help Me

For the past five years, my body has been slowly failing me. After years of misdiagnoses, dismissed symptoms, and endless suffering, I was finally diagnosed with several rare and devastating vascular compression syndromes, including Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome (SMAS), Nutcracker Syndrome, Median Arcuate Ligament Syndrome (MALS), Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome, POTS, and more.

These conditions have trapped me in constant pain and robbed me of my life. My blood flow to my digestive organs is severely restricted, and part of my duodenum is blocked, leaving me unable to properly eat, digest, or nourish my body. Every single day is filled with unbearable pain, nausea, and vomiting. Food and stomach acid back up into my stomach, causing relentless suffering .

Despite undergoing over 30 surgeries in the United States, nothing has worked. I have exhausted every surgeon/doctor available to me here . There is only one surgeon in the world who can help me — Dr. Alvear.

Right now, I am completely bedridden. I cannot walk far, I cannot shower myself, I cannot care for my own children and this breaks my heart. I can no longer be the mother or wife I once was. Even with needing a feeding tube placed, doctors in the U.S. are unwilling to do so or even manage my care, leaving my body barely surviving instead of truly living. I live off of blue Powerade, propel, and banana milkshakes.

He will perform an exploratory surgery first, followed by the corrective surgery I desperately need. This is my only hope after my previous SMAS surgery failed.

How Funds Will Be Used?

The funds including surgery, hospital stay, post-operative care, travel, rent a car and four to six weeks of recovery housing and care once I get home. None of this is covered by insurance. My husband is still employed but right now he is unable to work because he is my full-time caregiver. We are doing everything we can, but we cannot do this alone. We need help from you guys!

Your donations will go directly toward:

• Surgical fees for the Procedure

• Up to two weeks of acute hospital care, along with OR, laboratory, medications

• Four weeks of outpatient rehabilitation and follow-up treatment

• Specialist appointments and diagnostic testing

• Hotel Stay/ Rent a Car

• Post-operative care once we return home

If you can donate, no matter how small, you are helping save my life. If you cannot, please share my story that alone means everything to me.

Before I got sick, I was a healthy, active mom and wife. I worked out every day, played with my kids, lifted weights, volunteered, and lived fully. I was strong, joyful, and present. Now, I am fighting just to stay alive from my bed, watching my life slip away from me.

My husband has given up everything to care for me, and my children are watching their mom suffer day in and day out. That pain is something no family should have to endure.

From the bottom of my heart, thank you for reading my story, believing in me, and helping me fight this journey.

With love and gratitude,

Brooke Holsapple