Hello, my name is Vanessa. In the photos with me are my husband and our son. We enjoy going out and doing things, but that all changed in October 2025, just one day after my birthday. On October 9th, I began to become sick. I thought it was just a stomach bug but landed in the emergency room on October 17th. I became violently nauseous and motion sick. I had no appetite and wasn't able to drink. I laid in bed for days on end and I was losing weight rapidly. Fast forward to now, and I am still struggling. I have had testing and have received my results from a gastric emptying study, and it says I have significant delayed stomach emptying. So, what this means is I have gastroparesis or a paralyzed stomach.

The reason I am starting this GoFundMe is because I have been out of work with no pay since November, and my job does not offer paid time off. So, while my husband, being the amazing man he is, is doing everything in his power to keep us afloat, he does not want me to start this and ask for help. But here I am. The bills do not stop, and I am still battling all the side effects. I am losing so much weight, and I am not getting the nutrition I need. I do not leave my house except for appointments, and what a chore it is. I cannot drive due to being sick as soon as I get in the car. So, this is my story. I really understand it is just after the holidays, but I am being vulnerable and sharing all this to ask for any help.

I would give anything to have my normal everyday life back and get back to work or to even eat a normal meal with my family. I have more tests and specialist appointments coming up, so I am hoping for answers and solutions as we continue to move forward. But for now, we just need help.