Hi guys, i never in a million years would’ve thought i would need to make a go fund me for myself, but here we are-

After dealing with an already extremely difficult year, i recently became very ill and now have an unknown autoimmune disorder that is causing rapid muscle & connective tissue deterioration, amongst other very scary symptoms including a chronic infection in the lymph nodes in my neck, fluid build up along my spine, in my legs, arms, burning sensations in my chest, and many more, with no diagnoses or cure as of now. I’ve spent the last week in and out of the er, with doctors not having answers or solutions. These next few months for me will include needing to see a number of private specialists including dermatologists, rheumatologists, and anyone else who might be able to find me an answer. This cost will be out of pocket unfortunately, as i will be needing to opt for private specialists instead of public, as we live in Canada and we’re all aware that those referrals take far too long (months if not 1+ years).

Alongside the cost of having to pay for private clinics, i now have to take a number of supplements & medications & do iv infusions at a private clinic that can slow the symptoms and deterioration ever so slightly. The “disease” that I’m dealing with is progressing extremely fast, fast enough to where each morning I wake up i see new signs of connective tissue deterioration all over my body (legs, arms, back, face, etc). My body isn’t able to produce or sustain the HA needed to form the connective tissue right now, which is what gives our body structure, so parts of my body are basically collapsing everyday.

I’ve been keeping up with my regular workouts at home as much as possible, but even with working out, my body can’t build or sustain any amount of muscle at the moment. Which is devastating.

The outlook on this is unknown, we are not sure if this disorder has the capability of affecting my internal organs, which is the scary part.

I’ve been trying to keep as positive as an attitude as i can right now, and keep my faith at the forefront of my mind, but spending hours and days in the er having doctors tell you that they don’t know what is causing this, and sending you home with no answers or solutions, is extremely discouraging.

So, unfortunately i will have to advocate for myself through private clinics, testing, and possibly experimental drugs to see if there is anything that can help, and eventually, if i become healthy enough, will require surgery to repair the damage done to me, likely including surgeries such as fat grafting.

I never thought i would be fighting for my life with an unknown disorder at 20 years old, but life works in a weird way.

Because im unable to work, the cost of all of this will be impossible to afford alone, and as much as my family has been helping with costs already, they will not have the means to come up with enough funds for this long term. The goal for this gofundme will be used towards the cost of private clinics & testing, my iv infusions, supplements & current (antibiotics for the chronic infection in my lymph nodes) and future medications, as well as future surgeries. So far in this past week alone, I’ve had to spend over $400 on numerous supplements & iv infusions that can boost my immune system and reduce my inflammation. We are currently looking for a private dermatology practitioner & rheumatologist, but cannot book an appointment with them until we have enough funds.

Asking for money from people on the internet is a really yucky feeling, and it’s my absolute last resort.

If you are not able to donate, i ask that you please say a prayer for me. That would mean just as much if not more.

I will try to give any updates when im feeling well enough to get online

Thank you for taking the time to read this very long blurb, we really appreciate you

-Cleo