I'm Karen Hogan, a 52-year-old wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, niece, and friend. I am blessed to have so many surrounding me with love and support.

Some of you know I've been struggling with health issues most of my adult life from a flu shot I had a bad reaction to, and developed numerous autoimmune diseases. 3+ years ago, we moved to Florida, and shortly after, I went for a quick visit in VA and got COVID for the first (and only) time. Some of the symptoms never went away, some got slowly worse over time, and some new ones developed. I had a strong food aversion the moment COVID hit, and it's never gone away. Since then, I've lost around 100 lbs (yes, I had it to lose), become malnourished, anemic, weak, and unable to function on a daily basis. Quality of life is gone. After many doctor appointments, ER visits, nearly passing out on many occasions, and numerous diagnostic tests, the doctor has confirmed I have gastroparesis. Gastroparesis is 'slow stomach emptying,' which means my stomach is not working properly anymore. What that looks like for me on a daily basis: some days sips of broth or a protein drink is all I can get in, on a good day I can get in the equivalent of a small child’s meal. Some days I can’t get out of bed because I’m too weak and/or dizzy every time I stand up. Some days I just stay in bed and cry, because I can’t do anything else. The GI doctor explained this is most commonly a result of damage to the vagal/vagus nerve system. That nerve system is your parasympathetic system; it's your rest and digest, it's supposed to be the balance from the sympathetic system that is your fight or flight. But with mine not working properly, I'm always in fight or flight. The test also showed I have non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and my pancreas is atrophying (uncommon for my age). My entire digestive system is shutting down, top to bottom, my esophagus is stiffening, my stomach is nauseas 24/7, I have pain in my abdomen, I can’t eat fiber so… there is that. I’ve lost so much hair even in my nose, I need to keep tissues near by all the time. The constant, sometimes debilitating, anxiety that comes with always being in fight or flight is exhausting and embarrassing. My GI doctor said my treatment options are Botox to the stomach every few months or a gastric stimulator, both invasive, and neither a good idea with my genetic clotting disorder. Medication is not an option; only two are approved, and one isn't covered by insurance, and the other he said is a short-term option (max 1 month) and can cause a movement disorder that may become permanent. 

Our house was flooded in Helene last September with over 3 feet of surge that tore our front door from the frame; we lost almost everything we owned. Insurance will cover rebuilding the structure only, no contents. I'm unable to work full-time and have had to adjust my part-time work schedule to focus more on my health. Financially, we are tight. I need to regain health and strength to work to get a paycheck, and to help with the rebuild of our house. I'm useless right now. I've had multiple referrals to a local FM doctor that has had great success with cases like mine. I’ve had a consultation appointment, she was able to tell me symptoms I didn’t tell her I had, even uncommon ones. She knows exactly what I’m dealing with and is confident she can help. She also said she’s 100% sure I’m also experiencing POTS. Unfortunately, treatment is not covered by my insurance (we are looking into better insurance, but have to wait for open enrollment near the end of the year). This is my best option, restoration of quality of life, of my health, to not slowly die of starvation.