Hi everyone. I'm Shannon, and on 9/16/25, just 2 days after my daughter's 18th birthday, I went to the hospital thinking I was having back and shoulder pain, only to find out that I had a collapsed lung. A chest tube was inserted, and I spent 3 days in the Brawley ICU trying to seal the hole. After 2 failed attempts, I was transported to Desert Regional in Palm Springs on 9/19/25. There, I had a CT scan and was told I needed surgery to fix the hole. On 9/21/25, I had surgery. When the surgeon got inside, he saw part of my lung was very bad and had to remove it and fix the hole. I remained with a chest tube in my chest for an additional 2 more days in Desert Regional and was released on 9/24/25. But I also found out, on top of having a collapsed lung and having a segment removed from my lung, that I also have emphysema. Recovery has been slow and long. I can't lift more than 5 lbs and get very short of breath when walking short distances. It has made me extremely emotional and depressed. Daily chores, like even sweeping or wiping counters, are hard on me.

I have quit smoking, hoping to help. But my reason for this GoFundMe is that I need reliable transportation so I can get to the doctor's appointments, which are a lot more now. I want to live as long as I can, but I really need help with a vehicle.

Some of my appointments are going to be Palm. Springs since that's where my surgeon is and better doctors. and if I can get a hybrid car like a prius it would be so much easier to make it to all these appointments.

I already have to ask for help doing everything else in my daily life, and it's extremely depressing for me. This would give me some freedom without needing a lot of help.

I appreciate everyone