My name is Victoria Lorenzo and I am 35 years old, a mother to 2 beautiful babies; Andrea (8) and Victor (4), and a wife to my husband Andrés of 10 years.

I have been having a multiple line of conditions present themselves over the past few years. I have reactive hypoglycemia where my glucose drops out of nowhere and very low to where I can pass out. Most recently, I have had my labs done and Lupus and myositis are the 2 newest conditions I have. Lupus causes my own body to fight against itself, causing pain and inflammation in my joints. I had a gastric bypass surgery in January of 2020, which prohibits me from taking any medications that can help the Lupus, like NSAIDs or steroids. Myositis causes inflammation of my muscles and unexplained bruises all over my body. I was feeling so miserable from the Lupus, so I gave in and drank only 7 doses of steroids to help with the inflammation. On Tuesday, Nov 11th, 2025, I woke up at about 4 am and had what I thought was heartburn. So I took some Tums and lay down for a little while longer. As I was getting my daughter ready for school, I started to have pain in my chest and upper abdomen. I was trying to brush it off but couldn't, so I dialed 911. I thought I was having a heart attack or stroke. Paramedics arrived at 7 am and transferred me to Dodge City Emergency Room. The attending doctor and nurses paid attention and listened to my thoughts, and because of the exceptional service, it was determined that I had a leak between my stomach pouch and intestines. Acid and air were leaking into my abdomen where it should never be, and my health was declining fast. The doctor got me on the transfer list, and we were lifted by air to Wichita, where I was being listed to go into emergency surgery.

All of this happened unexpectedly, and no one is prepared for things like this. I will be hospitalized for about a week and unfortunately do not qualify for any short-term benefits or FMLA at my new job.

I'm reaching out to my family and community at this time to help get us by the next few weeks. I will need to pay my rent, car, phones, and a few other things, but also it will be Thanksgiving.

If you can, please find it in your heart to give anything at all; it would be so greatly appreciated. Also, prayers and positive vibes are welcomed as well.