TLDR;

Hi, my name is Ericha, and I’m now at the point where I need a bit of help. In June 2024, I was hospitalized after going into respiratory failure. My oxygen levels dropped to just 20%, and I was placed in a coma…twice. After being transferred to UCSF and undergoing extensive testing, I received the news I feared most: I need a bilateral lung transplant.

I’m now on supplemental oxygen full-time and travel regularly to San Francisco for ongoing testing and care. Between my declining health, short-term disability running out, and long-term disability still pending, I’m struggling to cover my rent, living expenses, and travel costs for these critical appointments.

Any contribution, big or small, or even sharing my story can make a huge difference and help me focus on preparing for the transplant ahead. Thank you so much for your kindness and support.

Full Story;

Hi everyone, my name is Ericha, and I’m reaching out for a bit of help during an incredibly challenging chapter of my life. To give you a little more context, my health journey started when I was diagnosed with Mixed Connective Tissue Disease back in 2012 when I was just 17. I managed this condition for a couple of years until 2014 when I was diagnosed with Lupus. I was maintaining my health for quite some time until 2019 when I collapsed and found myself in my first coma on a ventilator. This would be the start of an awful domino effect that brought me here today. After coming out of the coma, I was told by a pulmonologist that my disease developed into Scleroderma, another autoimmune disease where the body builds too much collagen causing hardening and tightening of the skin. This disease decided to focus solely on my lungs, which led to a diagnosis of Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD), which is scarring of the lungs. This, over time, hardens the lungs and makes it difficult to breathe and get oxygen into the blood. This will progress until my lungs can no longer function. There is no reversing what has happened; however, I have been on a medication that slows the progression.

Fast forward to June of 2024, I found myself in the hospital again, this time with respiratory failure. The night I went to the ER, I told them something was wrong. At the time, I didn't know what it was, but I knew something was off. The ER doctor said there's no reason to be here. All of my vitals were "good," and he tried to discharge me. Knowing that I live an hour away from the hospital, I did not feel comfortable leaving. They placed me in the Observatory room in the ER, which is just a glass room where they can monitor you. Not even an hour later, I had two doctors and four nurses run into my room with panic on their faces. They proceeded to tell me I was going into respiratory failure and that they needed to intubate me immediately. They were already injecting me with the medication to put me to sleep, and I quickly sent a message to my best friend asking to spread the news to my close family. One nurse grabbed my phone, and then I was out like a light.

According to the doctor's notes for that day, my oxygen had dropped to 20% right before they turned the ventilator on. I spent three days in a coma before waking up. My lungs were doing better, and they removed the tube out of my throat. I had to relearn how to eat and drink after the damage. It was difficult at first, but I quickly got better at it. That same evening, I had doctors and nurses running to me again. I already knew what was about to happen, and I went back to sleep for another three days. When I came to, nobody noticed I was waking up. I saw my pulmonologist discussing hospice care if this second intubation wasn't a success. They ultimately made the decision to transfer me to UCSF, where they have an Interstitial Lung Disease department with skilled pulmonologists that know my disease well. They strapped me down on a gurney and placed me in the back of an ambulance. Worst three-hour drive I've experienced. Mind you, this whole time I still have a tube down my throat and into my lungs. I couldn't speak.

I proceeded to spend the next week getting tested from CT scans, echocardiographs, many blood draws, x-rays, and even a right heart catheterization. After many tests and restless nights, the doctors told me that I need a lung transplant. I honestly knew it was coming. I just didn't think it would be so soon.

At this moment, I travel to San Francisco for appointments and testing, and I'm now on supplemental oxygen for the unforeseeable future. I’m also navigating the complexities of disability benefits. My short-term disability is running out, and my long-term disability is still pending approval. Since I’m not physically capable of working, I am stuck at a roadblock. I don’t have any outside financial support, and it’s been really tough to cover rent, daily living expenses, and the travel costs of going to San Francisco for my care. As of right now, I am NOT on the transplant waitlist yet. I have completed the majority of the transplant evaluation, so that when the time comes, I will be prepared.

I’m asking for your support to help me through this time. Any contribution, big or small, will make a huge difference and help me focus on getting healthy. Thank you so much for taking the time to read my story and for any help you can offer.

I will be posting updates on all of my social platforms for those that want to stay informed. I am also an open book and would love to answer any questions you have.

with love,

-- Ericha