Ashley Mersbergen has been dealing with intestinal issues for many years. The summer of 2022 Ashley had her first severe intestinal attack and ended up in the hospital. It was after a CT scan that they finally found an intestinal malrotation and she was referred to a Sioux Falls G.I. specialist. At this time, it was also discovered that her superior mesenteric vein (SMV) had a blockage at some point in her life and rerouted itself back to her liver on its own. But it did so with the malrotaion and being intertwined with her corkscrew of intestines. This is something Ashley was born with and miraculously has lived relatively pain free. They were unable to help her in Sioux Falls so they referred her to the Mayo Clinic. Ashley, along with her mom, began traveling back-and-forth to the Mayo Clinic for various intestinal and vascular tests. Many friends and loved ones assisted with things at home while Ashley was away. After two years, and many trips and tests, Mayo was unwilling to do anything for her due to the extreme risk of damaging her SMV. During this process, Ashley researched and found Dr. Kareem from the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio. If you research Dr Kareem his speciality and treatment is nothing less than miraculous. After a few weeks of the Cleveland team reviewing her medical records Dr. Kareem called Ashley and said “Your lucky to be alive and you need surgery ASAP.” Ashley will be going with her mother to the Cleveland clinic on July 4th. She will begin with a couple days of tests on her heart, a doctor consultation, and finally surgery to reconstruct her intestinal system. The surgery will entail a 7-8 hour surgery and a minimum of a two week stay in the hospital and one week next to the hospital. She will have a long road to recovery. The Mersbergen family and Ashley‘s mom have shared the burden in this long journey to finally have a diagnosis and hope. At this time, Ashley is uncertain what the course of action will be and will not find out until she’s at the Cleveland clinic in July. One option might be a complete reconstruction of her digestive system or an intestinal transplant. If a transplant is the route a new plan will need to be made with the doctor and his team. Either option will require extensive medical care and a few trips to the Cleveland clinic. During the course of the last month, Ashley has had to close her daycare. She truly enjoys and loves and cherishes all the children that have been a part of her and her family’s life over the last few years. Even though this was not an easy decision, Ashley has had to focus on her health and her family as they travel down this path. Ashley and her family have stayed strong in their faith and his protection and the miracles he has performed on her during this journey. She has been a great friend to many and loved by her family. If you’re able to help support her and her family financially through this journey with the medical bills, travel, and her extended stay in Cleveland, the Mersbergen family would be eternally grateful. But most importantly, please keep Ashley and her family in your prayers as they venture down this path.