Hi everyone, my name is Jennifer Saturria.

I am a single mother to a very amazing 10 year old boy. It has just been him and I since his father passed when he was three years old.

I am diagnosed with a brain malformation, delayed gastric emptying, and chronic anemia.

I have been facing debilitating fatigue, weakness in my arms, hands, and legs that makes it difficult to walk or stand. suffering through digestive issues, motor skill difficulty, low blood counts, chronic migraines, severe anemia, and problems with swallowing! These symptoms have really taken a toll on my ability to work causing me to step down from my employment. Even simple daily tasks are difficult taking days instead of hours to complete.

My chronic illness symptoms started 10 years ago through pregnancy. No one ever talks about how pregnancy completely alters your body’s biology.There’s no warning or precaution on how your body will react and change. For me, my life has never been the same.

Since pregnancy I have been an ongoing battle with severe acid reflux and delayed stomach emptying. These symptoms cause me to not be able to retain my meals through the day. At times the symptoms can spike so severe to where I am not able to digest food at all. If I am lucky to hold meals down for some time I have to remain completely still in resting positions to combat the pain and nauseating turned stomach.

Over the years my symptoms have worsen I have been facing debilitating fatigue, weakness in my arms, hand, and legs that makes it difficult to walk or stand, intense back pain, chronic migraines and problems with swallowing! These symptoms have really taken a toll on my ability to complete work pushing me to step down from my employment. Simple daily tasks take me multiple days instead of hours to complete.

my recent symptom spike let me to be hospitalized. The delayed gastric emptying was so severe I would experience sharp debilitating pain in the back of my head. This pain would occur any time I was sick, nauseated, sneezed, coughed, used the restroom, or made any fast head movements or head pressure. This agonizing pain began causing black outs. These would occur at any moment I could be using the restroom, taking a shower, picking something up, or while driving.

After years of fighting and advocating for my health, I finally have a team of doctors working with me to find my health. Including

my neurologist who completed several MRIs to find the root of debilitating head pain and blackouts.

Though this, it was confirmed that I have brain malformation. This malformation was causing the pain and the black outs.

I am now scheduled to see a neurosurgeon.

This has always been my biggest fears in life. The possibility of not only surgery, but surgery of the head/brain. My malformation was found where all of my motor skills are controlled. the thought of surgery is terrifying but we are in the path to recovery.

I am raising funds to help cover my living expenses for the next few months! Rent, utilities, groceries, child expenses, the wages my mother is losing from taking time off to help me and the unavoidable medical costs that will ensue while I seek answers and treatment!

It feels uncomfortable to ask for help in this way, I know living is a struggle for so many, but I need a steadying hand and am beyond grateful for any support you can provide!!

I'm hopeful that I can get my quality of life back over the next few months due to all of my health complications I have not been able to work since September 2024 . The endless appointments to diagnose and treat undiagnosed blood loss, low iron, chronic stomach illness, gastric delayed emptying, physical therapy, and my brain malformation.

This has been all so much in these last few months to take on alone as a single mother. I am the same person or mom that I use to be. I use to be the fun and outgoing mom for my mini, his friends, and myself. I don’t even recognize myself now.

I’m hopeful that I can get my quality of life back over the next few months

I could use your kindness and support in this especially in the days to come. If you can’t donate that is okay thank you for reading my story. Maybe you know someone who can, that you can share with.

Either way, I appreciate you, hug your family and friends today. You never know what’s going on being the smile.