Hi everyone. As you may (vaguely) know, I’ve been battling health issues for quite some time now. (About 11 years.)

I’ve been somewhat private about things as I don’t want to be viewed solely for my illnesses. However, it has taken a huge strain on, not only my life, but the life of my parents. I feel that I should be very open when asking for help so I plan to do so. It all started when I turned 18. I met a guy that was very forceful with wanting to date me and I was a very naive, and innocent 18 year old. (I avoided dating with hopes I wouldn’t be harmed but this only backfired, in my opinion.) He was abusive, in every way possible, and sexually assaulted me multiple times a day, for three years. While enduring the toxicity, I became very depressed and other mental health conditions arose. For example, I became suicidal and ended up in the hospital. I stayed a week, as I was suicidal and was on the verge of losing my life. I went back two more times during the remainder of the relationship. (One to change medications in a monitored/safe environment & one for suicidal thoughts again.) I currently have PTSD, OCD, an anxiety disorder, Major depressive disorder, Fibromyalgia, PNES and now, these physical health issues to follow.) I get horrendous ulcers from the Behcets and bruises on my skin from it as well. Also, I’m itching my skin 24/7 and it results in bruises due to this reason, as well.

So, although the relationship was toxic, I loved (or believed I loved) him. He was born in El Salvador (and I’m stating this solely for the purpose of how my immune system was exposed to something while I was out of the country. I love Salvadorans and this doesn’t reflect negatively on the people, or beautiful country.)❤️

So, in order to meet my boyfriend’s Dad (& step siblings) I traveled to El Salvador back in 2017. I had a painful, horrible trip due to the arguing, being in another country for the first time-without his support, and his physically threatening acts during arguments. I felt so alone and had only my phone to call my family to get through the awfulness. I noticed that I was very nauseas, so much so that his family took me to the town to get a pregnancy test done. The result came back quickly. Not pregnant. I was throwing up and itching my skin a lot. The day I got home, my mom counted 64 mosquito bites covering my legs. When I got home, I came back very sick. I got tested for every disease imaginable and nothing came back positive. I noticed that my body/immune system, had changed in every way. I was getting infections at the drop of a hat, I felt so fatigued and couldn’t keep my eyes open. Talking made me tired, I couldn’t exercise like before, I had to start choosing between brushing my teeth & showering (as it took too much energy to do both.) laundry was not do-able without help, (still true to this day, unfortunately & embarrassingly enough), I have to take multiple naps a day and can’t go out for long. My illnesses, including the seizure disorder, are mostly invisible, and I have to rest up for even one, short few hours out. (Ex: on Halloween.) So, I only post when I do something worth while mostly.)

Finally, after all of this time, I have finally been diagnosed with a rare, lifelong Vasculitis called Behcets Disease. I was also diagnosed with a life-altering, incurable condition called Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. I have Fibromyalgia as well. It was triggered from the abuse, I was told. I have a condition called PNES. These are seizures from the trauma I endured and I’m currently in trauma therapy to try and recover. My mom drives me to Morgantown, once a week, to do this. (So, hotel, food and gas adds up each week onto the continue medical bill.)

I also get monthly IVIG infusions for a condition called Hypogammaglobulinemia. I’m unable to fight infections so I get help from blood donors. (I am so thankful for anyone that donates as it’s helping me fight infections whereas I can’t without these infusions.

Before I got sick, I was going to school as well as working full time. I’m completely unable to work and/or go to school. My parents are supporting me in every way. My Dad works full time, as a substitute teacher, to support our family and I can’t help but feel so bad about it. He should be retired but just can’t afford to. So, I’m making this GoFundMe after being told by many people to do so. Anything helps and would be beyond appreciated. I want him to be able to take a break and have some of the financial burden off of his back. My dog is also struggling due to lack of medical care. Anything at all helps. Thanks for listening and supporting.

Gratefully,

Lily