My family needs your help. My son needs your help. I need your help.

My son has Pulmonary Hypertension (PH), more specifically, Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension (PAH); a disease with no apparent cure and a limited life expectancy.

It is a serious condition where there is high blood pressure and narrowing in the blood vessels between the heart and lungs, making it harder for blood to flow and causing the heart to work harder.

It started 9 years ago with what we believe was a blood clot formed in his legs during an extended and cramped car ride in the back seat, with no stops, to his sister's (my daughter's) unexpected funeral. Shortly after that fateful day, his symptoms slowly started taking their toll, until one day it landed him in the ER with a pulmonary embolism; blood clots to the lungs.

After a life-saving surgery, a Pulmonary Thromboendarterectomy, his doctor added some years to his life, but said his lungs were like that of an old man. This surgery was extremely invasive. It involved using cardiopulmonary bypass, deep hypothermia, and periods of circulatory arrest to clear the lung clots. Essentially, they dropped his body temp to 40 degrees and repeatedly stopped his heart, killing him over and over. My poor child survived this and had resulting night terrors for months afterward of being chased and killed. The surgery may have extended his life, which at the time was 8 years without the surgery, but his quality of life now is still not great. The fatigue alone makes everyday tasks extremely challenging. PAH has robbed my son of his young and vibrant life.

My son, Ellison, is an amazing young man. He is kind-hearted, smart, and talented, and anyone that knows him can tell you what an exceptional man he is. He was in the prime of his life as a talented chef and caretaker of his grandparents. He is now barely able to take care of himself or take a walk in the park with the niece he adores.

Without treatments and more medical intervention, I may outlive my son and I cannot bury another child. My son has so much to live for. He is young, 41, has dreams, not to mention his family including his girlfriend to whom Ellison is her whole world, his brother and his new wife, and his sister's children, who adore him beyond words. His nieces have not only lost their mother, but need and love their uncle more than ever. I am tormented by my son's suffering and discomfort. I only want him to feel better and to be able to enjoy his life.

While there is presently no cure for pulmonary hypertension, the fatigue and other symptoms can be managed through medications, oxygen therapy, pulmonary rehabilitation programs, a potential lung transplant, all of which cost a lot of money.

The Mayo Clinic has thankfully accepted Ellison as a new patient. Hopefully now we will get some answers on his prognosis, treatments, life expectancy, and increased quality of life.

Please forgive me for asking for 15K. I have already spent that and more. He just met his new team of pulmonary experts this week. His health insurance alone each month is outrageous. Not to mention travel and hotel expenses. If a lung transplant is required, I'm sure our expenses will become beyond our ability to afford.

Please, if you have money you would like to donate to a good and life-changing cause, this would be it. Those of you who know me well, know I have a hard time asking for help and take pride in working hard to take care of my family. I just need some help.

Please help us. Our family story may be tragic and sad, but we have endured and not given up hope and continue to fight for health and happiness.

Please donate what you can.

Any donation is appreciated.

Thank you so very much.