I don’t ever ask for help. I’m the person who pushes through, figures it out, and makes things work no matter what it takes. Asking for anything like this is incredibly hard for me, but right now, I truly need help. Over the last several months, my health has taken a drastic turn. I’ve lost over 35 pounds, and I have never felt this sick in my life. I am living with gastroparesis, endometriosis, interstitial cystitis, and chronic migraines — and as of today, I was also diagnosed with adrenal insufficiency. I am exhausted no matter how much sleep I get. I have no appetite, and I vomit almost every time I try to eat. When I do eat, the pain is so intense it can take my breath away and knock me off my feet. Every day is a battle just to function.

After a long fight advocating for myself and trying to get doctors to truly listen, I was accepted into the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota on my first attempt. While I’m grateful, it’s also terrifying to realize how sick I have to be to qualify. I will be seeing many specialists and will be there for at least a full week for my initial round of appointments, with additional appointments already scheduled for April. The costs add up quickly — travel, gas, hotels, and food for my daughter Bella and whoever is able to travel with me. With my health limiting my ability to work and care for everything on my own, the financial strain has become overwhelming.

As much as it pains me to ask, I need help getting through this. Any donation, share, or kind word truly means more than I can put into words. Thank you for taking the time to read my story and for supporting me during one of the hardest chapters of my life.