Help the Humphries Family Recover from Toxic Mold

We are the Humphries family; Michael, Christina, Gideon (9), Millie (7), and Belle (3)

November of last year, 2023, we moved into a mountain home (rental) in Colorado. A short while after we moved in, we began to experience some random health issues. After this past winter, our health took a rapid turn for the worse. We now believe it was a combination of the snow melt (home was a flat roof built into a mountain) and the fact that we turned on the fireplace fan. Long story short, we were exposed to high levels of toxic mold as well as a pack rat infestation that left us breathing in pathogens (confirmed food, urine, and feces; full pest control report paid for by us) all winter since the nest was in the ventilation of the fireplace (something we didn't know at the time.)

The mold impacted Christina's cognitive functions (brain), endocrine system, and kidneys mainly. The last day we were at the house, Millie was limping and could barely walk and Christina had welts (her allergic reaction to mold) and all of the kiddos had bloody stools and awful coughs that just recently began to get better.

Christina's mycotoxins test (body test for mold) came back positive for 3 different toxic types of mold. Mycotoxins linked to cancer, infertility, and other terrible things.

We moved out basically overnight, Michael had to do ALL of the move out by himself since (I) Christina had extreme vertigo and fatigue and couldn't even walk into the home. We had to throw away our sectional because it had mold on it and shoes that were outside of the front door also had mold on them.

Where we are now: even though we have been working with doctors, we still have more tests to do. I (Christina) am due to have an MRI to check my brain for a pituitary tumor and to also check for any damage on the brain. To be completely transparent, I (Christina) am trying to be strong but I'm terrified of a tumor as a result of this. (Yes, there are studies that link tumors to mold expose, WILDDD) - The kiddos are still having random issues that need to be tested and treated.

However, since beginning this journey, we have paid out of pocket for all of our medical bills, emergency rehoming (we had to find an air bnb right away), and a lawyer equating to around 25k.

We are trying to space things out to be mindful with our budget and to be honest, we are feeling the weight of all of this. Physically, financially, spiritually, it's a heavy burden. The landlord has since sold the home without proper testing or remediation so we are also feeling heavy-hearted with that also in knowing someone else will be sick.

We had bought a new camper last year before moving in so we are living in that until we can be sure to move into a home free of mold. That's another terrible thing, we are now super sensitive to mold so we have to be verrry cautious.

What we need most: Prayer. Pray for us. Pray for our family and our health. There is power in His Mighty Name and He is holding us. This has been a nightmare. Some of my worst fears coming true; seeing my babies be sick and feeling completely helpless. But we are trusting that He is working all of this together for our good, because we love Him.

What would be amazing: To not have to bear the financial load of this alone. We can't afford to pay the lawyer at this time to pursue the landlord for what is so obviously ours. I have kept photos and evidence but believe it or not, personal injury lawsuits cost a lot of money. I know we shouldn't have to pay for the medical bills and that he should be responsible (he was negligent in properly testing the home and showed no care when we were forced to move out) but here we are.

Whatever the Lord lays on your heart would be so appreciated as we try to move on past this devastation. We would like to move on and that seems like a long road right now. The mold experts recommend that we start totally fresh once we move, that means throwing away any porous items (clothes, beds, beloved stuffed animals, blankets, etc.) so we will be buying all new furniture when we move so that we avoid cross-contamination.

We are SO THANKFUL that we all have each another and we hope that the upcoming tests show healing progress and not more issues. We don't do well with reaching out for help. Asking for help has been a decision I've gone back and forth on for weeks. It's hard asking for help.

But, it's even harder walking through this dark time alone.