In August 2024, our lives altered unexpectedly. We were working towards our goal of moving out of state. And we almost succeeded!!

But Travis became ill with what we thought was extreeme vertigo. Then it turned into other things. All day Dizziness, neasea, chest pains, numbness in limbs, vomiting and fainting in the evening. Eventually more things started happening. Tunnel vision, staring off into space, speech issues, random rashes, headaches, no appetite, ringing in ears, restless legs, asthma, exhaustion among other things. The fainting/passing out has been the scariest.

He was diagnosed with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and only has the rash portion of that at the moment. As many know, this is a condition his mom passed away from May 2025.

He was also diagnosed with obstructive and complex sleep apnea. He currently has a machine. It's a love hate relationship.

During that sleep study, they said his brain scans showed that his brain looked like of someone who has done opiates his whole life or has had multiple strokes.

He has been to and being monitored by different types of specialists.

Pulmonary, Cardiologist, Internal medicine, ENT, physical therapy, chiropractic, to name a few.

He currently has appointments coming up for an EEG and ENT scheduled in a few weeks.

He has been passed around from specialist to specialist. Weekly appointments. Days of feeling like absolute garbage. With no official diagnosis. Just constant monitoring and moving onto the next test.

He can no longer work at his job as a diesel mechanic, can no longer drive and can barely shower alone. He has moments of feeling ok, will try to help around the house, then be so sick he can't get out of bed for days. Sitting at both our daughter's Volleyball games this season became difficult, but he powered through them knowing the consequences that came with it.

This last year and few months has been interesting forsure. There are only a select few people in our circle who know what our situation is like.

They have been a blessing

While we hope and pray doctors figure this out soon so he can have his life back, we are now to a point where we need help.

We have used all of our resources financially to support our family this whole time. Things have been REALLY tight, but now there is no more.

I have been applying and interviewing for jobs myself, going through multiple interviews only to be told they are moving forward with someone else. I have also been baking and catering for others as I can, but it's not enough. I need flexibility so I can take care of our home, take Travis to his many appointments, not to mention being here for our kids and their needs.

(Which by the way, our kids have been helpful and understanding as we navigate things.)

We were hoping to avoid having to make a gofundme. I have had many people offer to do this on our behalf. I just felt that this needed to come from us.

We just had to appeal disability because he was denied. Unfortunately that process will still be long. Especially now with the current government shut down.

Being seriously sick and losing his mom has been hard. There has been a lot of emotions and frustration.

We have been together since we were 13. With a year break our senior year of high school because I lived in Tigard. That's a long time. We have 4 amazing kids

He's hard working! He has the biggest heart and personality like his dad Tim. He gets along with anyone he comes into contact with and helps anyone who needs it.

He loves his family and friends. Coworkers.

His jeep and tools are in there too lol

Watching him struggle this past year has been one of the hardest things I've ever had to deal with. Not to mention dealing with my own health. The anxiety I get just to leave him home to run errands is rough some days.

I love him on his best days, I love him on his worst days and I push and encourage him to go to every appointment.

Not having answers after a year has been hard.

He's not giving up and I refuse to give up on him.

Funds from this platform will go to medical bills, house hold bills and other family expenses. I know how hard times are right now. Please know even just a share will be more than appreciated

Thank you always,

The Mitchell Family