Hello, my name is Hannah. I’m 28 years old and I’ve been sick since I was born. I have been misdiagnosed several times but continue to perplex doctors with my mysterious illness that has yet to be correctly understood.

I was hospitalized for two weeks at just two months old. As a child, I had sudden episodes of debilitating stomach pain that would cause me to double-over and not be able to stand for hours. At the age of 19, I unexplainably lost the ability to extract nutrients from food and almost died from starvation at the age of 20 even though I was eating. At the age of 22, I began a four year chelation journey for mercury poisoning, thinking that was the cure for my lifelong, mysterious illness. It left me with extreme organ weakness and little relief.

Now, I can barely get out of bed. I work 20 hours a week at an extremely low maintenance job and I can hardly hold my body upright for the duration of my four hour shift. My fatigue is debilitating. Some days I can hardly lift my arm to brush my teeth. Sometimes, I can barely walk to the bathroom and sometimes I even struggle to breathe from exhaustion. It’s hard to stand without folding to the ground. I tremble if I stand longer than a few minutes. I get fevers about once a week. My entire list of symptoms is 63 items long so I can’t list them all (for real, I counted).

My whole life, I have confused every doctor I’ve been to. I had blood tests run every three months in high-school to no avail. I had a doctor who in 20 years had only had two cases he couldn’t figure out—mine was one of them. I had a doctor fly several states away to meet with three other doctors to discuss my case with no answers. I currently have an incredible naturopath who has helped me more than anyone, but even now, we’re unsure of my next move and I continue to worsen.

I need someone who can solve the impossible and I’ve found a doctor who has been referred to as the Sherlock Holmes of medical conditions. She’s known for solving cases that have stumped everybody. She’s obviously hard to get into, but I have an opportunity to work with her for at least three months!

I’m asking for help, because if I can’t raise enough funds, Seth and I can’t afford this on our own. The amount I am asking for should cover my meetings with her for three months, my labs, potential DNA testing, and hopefully whatever protocol she recommends for me. The solutions to my deeply rooted health issues could be quite expensive as well, but that’s assuming she’s able to find an answer.

Please consider donating for me to have this chance to finally learn what this disease is and what to do for it. I may never be normal, but I am only 28 years old. I have hopes and dreams of being a mom someday. I want to be more present for my wonderful husband and I don’t want him to have to take care of me as much as he does. I want to have more energy for my sweet nieces and nephews. I mean, heck, I’d love to stand for longer than 15 minutes. If you donate, I will not be able to thank you enough for helping me possibly achieve an answer to a lifelong question. Thank you!!

P.S. If you decide to reach out to me after reading this, as respectfully as I can ask, please do not send me “Have you tried…?” messages. Because yes. Yes I have. There’s not enough space to tell you everything I’ve tried, but I hit the end of my rope like 10 years ago and at this point, I don’t even know how I keep getting up in the mornings. So, if you send anything please only send messages of encouragement to me and my husband. That will help the most. Thank you for your concern and your respect.