Val's Medical Expenses and Recovery Fundraiser

Hi everyone, Val here. I'm going to just cut to the chase: I am currently very, very, very sick. The last time I was able to get online to update any loved ones on my health properly was four months ago when I created this fundraiser. And, from the bottom of my heart, I mean it when I say that the only reason I can do so now, with some semblance of answers and direction, is because of everyone who has donated so far. When I first reached out for help, I was about a year and a half and ten doctors in, deteriorating rapidly, and being dismissed at every turn. My standing heart rate was routinely reaching 170bpm; I experienced about five hospital-level chest pain flares; I was describing profound (indescribable) fatigue crashes, as well as hypersensitive allergic-like reactions to... literally anything and everything (medications, food, smells, screen time, minerals in water, light, heat, etc.) that were getting significantly worse over time. Despite repeatedly expressing my concerns in detail, even specialists told me, "I'm not worried about your immune system/your heart appears normal/you have no allergies, you're fine" with no further investigation offered. After receiving your support, I was at the end of my rope, but I went for my 11th try. And I finally found a knowledgeable, compassionate doctor and team specializing in complex illnesses who truly listened to me. In barely two months under their care: • The severe neuroimmune disease Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME/CFS) has been confirmed. • After $19,000 worth (50+ vials) of bloodwork - testing not yet fully completed - it has also been determined that I have a compromised immune system and am at very high risk, among other autoantibody flags we can't yet place. • They've found and are trying (my body is currently rejecting ~92% of foods and almost any medications or supplements) to treat me for one of the most severe cases of Mast Cell Activation Syndrome (MCAS) they've seen. • We suspect I have a complex form of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome to treat (Hyperadrenergic POTS), which is likely from an unconfirmed mix of Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome and dysautonomia, but I haven't been well enough to get to the hospital for outpatient testing to confirm. • I have been referred out to a Neurosurgeon for possible surgery for advanced craniocervical instability. • And lastly, in combination with all of this, my doctor is highly confident that my entire body (especially my autonomic nervous system) is seriously being devastated by Long COVlD in some form. Long story short, it has been a lot. And simply put, my family and I cannot afford it. My insurance does not cover the doctor and care team that has gotten me to where I am now; it has all been out-of-pocket. The same goes for nearly all of my medication as it now has to go through a compounding pharmacy. My diet is so restricted and *beyond* expensive, but it is all I can eat as - for the same reason as my meds - MCAS puts me at serious risk of life-threatening anaphylactic episodes if I don't (I was just prescribed an EpiPen). We are so many thousands of dollars out, with so much upcoming uncovered testing to be completed in order to know how to proceed with beginning treatment. It's overwhelming. To say I'm exhausted is the most enormous understatement of my life. I need help. And absolutely anything you can contribute during this time will mean more to me than I could ever, ever begin to express. If you could please consider sharing this fundraiser too, with anyone you can. Thank you so much.