Hello my name is Lindsey, I am Fundraising for my best friend, my sister Mary(Marianne Cole). She is one of the strongest people I know and now you will too. She has a smile that lights up a room and she is known for making everyone feel welcome and part of the crowd. She is a loyal friend, an amazing daughter, the best auntie our niece could ask for and a sister that is always there for not only myself, but for her older sister and her younger brother.

For the past 8 years her health has been slowly deteriorating and everything came to a halt in 2021. She was unable to hold down food and after a year of vigorous testing all that was found was stricturing (narrowing) in her small intestines. In September of 2022 she went through surgery to reroute her intestines to help her eat solids again.This unfortunately was a failure, but during this surgery her lung was damaged and the rerouting produced a surgical hernia. This left her in the hospital for 4 months to recover from these. She was released back at square one, unable to eat and hold down any foods. She at this time lost a tremendous amount of weight.

She continued to go through numerous tests, in and out of hospital for the next 2 years. She was told she had a paralyzed stomach (Gastroparisis) and they assumed she had SMA syndrome.

In June 2024 Mary had to go back into surgery for a permanent Feeding tube. This was a G tube with a J extension to help with bringing nutrients through to her intestines and she was able to vent. This was to help with her nausea. Unfortunately this did not work and then due to extensive vomiting her J extension curled in her stomach. Doctors refused to change the tube as this was not working. She was left with a tube, curled in her stomach while she went through more testing. She has been in and out for over 20 more procedures and then the doctors decided to Just separate the Tubes creating a second port. This again did not help. She was then told her case is extremely rare and they do not know why her Strictures keep forming.

She has now been referred to a GI specialist that specializes in complex cases, as she has not been getting the proper nutrition and nutrients to survive on her own.

Every donation, No matter what size, will make a difference and will go towards medical expenses, Travel expenses for her and her caregiver/family member that will go to help her, and any accommodations.

Mary has shown she will not give up and I refuse to give up on her. The strength she has is more than anyone I have met. She has new light in her since finding out that she has been accepted and being able to have a fresh set of eyes that can help figure out and fix her.

If you cannot donate we just ask you share her story. Your support means everything!

Thank you for taking the time and standing beside Mary and reassuring her that she isn’t alone.