Hi, my name is Chloe, and I’m trying to help my mom breathe again.

Eight years ago, my mom underwent what was meant to be a routine nose surgery. Instead, it marked the beginning of a long and devastating medical journey that has taken away something most of us never think about: the ability to breathe normally.

Her skin did not heal as expected, and with every attempt to correct the damage, things worsened. Over time, cartilage was removed, scar tissue built up, and her nostrils became increasingly obstructed. Today, one nostril is completely blocked, and the other is only partially open. She is now functionally disabled by her breathing.

Since that initial surgery, my mom has endured 10–12 further operations, each time being told that this one would finally fix the issue. Instead, every surgery made her condition worse.

The accumulated cost of her surgeries over the last 8 years has already exceeded $120,000, and she is expected to require three to four additional reconstructive procedures, each costing approximately $7,000 - $11,000. The financial burden has become overwhelming for our family.

During this already overwhelming medical ordeal, my mom also went through a divorce. Navigating repeated surgeries, recovery, and chronic trauma while losing the stability of her marriage left her with little emotional or financial safety net. The combination has been incredibly isolating and exhausting.

Beyond the physical toll, the emotional impact has been devastating. She lives with constant fear about her breathing, including anxiety that she could stop breathing in her sleep. The trauma of repeated surgeries and uncertainty has left her deeply shaken.

She has also become increasingly isolated socially. Changes to her breathing and appearance have made her feel embarrassed to go outside or engage with others, shrinking her world and limiting her sense of identity. She no longer feels anything close to her best self, which has been heartbreaking for me to watch.

We’re raising funds to help cover the costs of complex reconstructive surgery, ongoing medical care, recovery expenses, and the support she needs to get through this next stage. This work is highly specialized and not fully covered, but it represents her best chance to breathe properly and reclaim her life.

She deserves the chance to breathe, sleep without fear, and socialise as the strong, loving woman that I know her to be.

Any support, whether through donating or sharing, means more than we can express. Thank you for taking the time to read her story and for helping us keep hope alive.