Hello everyone! My friends wanted to write a GoFundMe update for me, but I thought it would be better if I did it myself in my own words. 2025 was a really rough year, I was supposed to have surgery for my rare life-threatening illness, Superior Mesentary Artery Syndrome on Oct. 29th, 2025. In July, I traveled to my specialist in Pittsburgh, to have a Picc line put in because I wasn't healthy enough for surgery. My weight dropped to 77 lbs and I was extremely malnourished and not well enough or up to it enough to have a rough surgery. About a month after I got a Picc line, it got infected and got into my bloodstream. I became septic and almost died. I needed emergency back surgery because the infection got into my spine and almost paralyzed me. My mom died Oct. 5th and I couldn't even go to her funeral because I was in the hospital. I will never forgive myself for that! The infection also did damage to my heart. I'm now reliant on cardiac meds, which I have to take 3 times a day. I still have the infection and am on antibiotics through my Picc line. My surgery for my life threatening illness is off the table - at least for now. I'm trying to keep a positive attitude and sense of humor. I have an 11 year old daughter who needs me and a 20 year old son. I need a back surgery ASAP, but my body is not strong enough, so l wear a back brace and am very limited on what I can do. I'm hoping this year will be much better than last year - I was in the hospital as much as I was home, although I started out 2026 in the hospital for 5 days. My neurosurgeon said my spine is crumbling and I need surgery as soon as l'm healthy enough. I have to rely on home care aides to help me with daily activities and the guilt is weighing heavy like an anvil on my shoulders, because I can't be the mom I use to. I'm on permanent disability, which doesn't leave me any money after paying for things my insurance doesn't cover and l've totally ruined my credit due to my medical bills. To date, l've raised $1,740 from great friends and generous strangers. I am extremely grateful to everyone who has donated financially, mentally and spiritually. I truly appreciate the prayers, words of support, money and just knowing that people care. I've used the money to travel back and forth to Pittsburgh, (no doctors in Chicago knew how to treat my rare illness - less than 0.13% of the population has been diagnosed with it) to pay for hotels and for vitamins, protein drinks and other expenses my insurance doesn't cover. I'm turning 56 in a few days and I'm already celebrating because I didn't think I'd live this long. I don't take life for granted, every moment with my daughter and son is a gift. I never thought l'd be strong enough to handle multiple life - threatening illnesses, but thanks to God and wonderful supportive friends and strangers supporting me financially, mentally and spiritually, I'm much stronger than I ever knew. I plan on winning my health battles and I'm already adjusting to my new "normal life". I'm a strong believer in karma and "Paying it forward". I have big plans for fundraising for suicide, mental health and addiction awareness and doing anything I can to help. Also raising more awareness for my disease and people like me. I've been more active on social media trying to help others. So thank you to everyone who's donated their supportive words, prayers and money, my family and I truly appreciate it.

Love, Lori & Family❤️