Hi, I'm the mother of Isaiah Dixon Thornton. My son, who is 28, has been in and out of the hospital this year a total of 16 times, some stays being as long as 6 weeks.

My son was diagnosed 3 years ago with SMA Syndrome (Superior Mesenteric Artery Syndrome). Superior mesenteric artery syndrome is a gastro-vascular disorder in which the third and final portion of the duodenum is compressed between the abdominal aorta and the overlying superior mesenteric artery.  He had the necessary surgery to correct the problem BUT now the pain is back.  

It has been debilitating for my son. He has been in the hospital this year more than he has been at home. The excruciating pain he endures when he has a flare-up is unmatched. He loses consciousness, vomits, has convulsions, and experiences a pain that he describes as somebody taking a sharp knife and stabbing him over and over in his stomach.

He is now most recently diagnosed with MALS Syndrome. Median arcuate ligament syndrome (MALS) is a rare condition that occurs when the median arcuate ligament (MAL) compresses the celiac artery in the abdomen. This compression can cause chronic abdominal pain, especially after eating or exercising.

He has lost a total of 57 lbs. since January of this year.

I'm begging for help. He needs to have a revision surgery to correct the original one.  

He also needs a pain pump which insurance has denied.

I'm losing my son a little every day and it is breaking my heart. I can't lose him; he is all that I have. When he tells me, "Mama, I feel like I'm slowly dying," my heart stops. Those are words no mother or parent ever wants to hear.

If you would be willing to help us get to where we need to be, I can't thank you enough.

And if you can't donate, PLEASE share this across your social media platforms.