Hello, my name is Shiho. Seven years ago, my health changed suddenly. One day, I experienced intense lower-body swelling that felt like an allergic reaction. From that moment on, the swelling never went away. Over time, I began developing many other symptoms: joint pain, whole-body aches, headaches, severe allergic reactions, difficulty breathing, blurry vision, vertigo, digestive pain, skin rashes, and extreme brain fog. These symptoms became worse and worse as the years passed.

I visited many specialists and went through countless tests, but no one could tell me what was wrong. Because my symptoms affected my entire body, I needed a doctor who could look at my health as a whole. About four years ago, my condition became so severe that I could no longer commute to work. Around that time, a friend introduced me to a doctor in New York, and I was finally diagnosed with Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS). For the first time, all of my symptoms made sense.

I stayed under his care, but unfortunately my condition continued to get worse. I became unable to take public transportation, and even going outside or being in slightly crowded public places such as grocery stores or trains triggered severe symptoms and made me feel extremely sick. Eating almost anything caused reactions, and I often ended up in the emergency room, where they could only stabilize me before sending me home.

For the past 3–4 years, I have worked from home, but over the last year my brain fog and body pain became so severe that I struggled to sit or stand for long periods. It was becoming harder and harder to keep up with my work responsibilities.

In May, through my family, I was introduced to an autoimmune and complex disease specialist in Tokyo. I traveled there for intensive testing, and for the first time, I received a full and clear answer. I was diagnosed again with MCAS, but also with severe mycotoxin illness. Because of MCAS, my immune system had been weakened for years. Testing showed that my body had become a host for dangerous bacteria and parasites, which severely damaged my digestive system. These infections created toxins that entered my bloodstream and even reached my brain, causing the worsening brain fog, memory issues, and difficulty thinking clearly.

The doctor told me that I needed to start treatment immediately or my condition could lead to serious consequences. My body is currently under attack from infections, and the inflammation is severe.

I am a single mother, and I raised my son on my own. He graduated from college this May, which was one of the happiest moments of my life. Without any family in the U.S., I had to work through every hardship to support us. For years, I pushed through the pain just to survive each day.

Eventually, I became too sick to continue working. I took medical leave and traveled to Tokyo in August to begin treatment.

The most difficult part is that none of the treatment I need is available in New York where I live or covered by insurance. Everything must be paid out of pocket. From August to December, the total cost has already reached about $20,000—and my treatment has only just begun. Before the doctor can even start repairing the damage caused by MCAS, she must eliminate all the bacteria and parasites in my system. This process takes time, and the full treatment is expected to take about a year/ a year & half. I am hoping to raise $40,000 to cover these medical expenses.

I want to get better so I can return to work, support myself again, and live a normal life with my son. I want to be there to support him as he enters into adulthood. I am deeply grateful that I finally found a doctor who can treat and stabilize my condition, but I cannot continue the treatment without financial help.

My son and I are incredibly thankful for all the people who have supported us throughout our lives. We have been through many hardships, and it is difficult for me to ask for help—but I truly need it now so I can recover, regain my health, and rebuild our life.