Edit 3/30: We’re going to primarily put all the focus on helping Ryker right now. With the help we have received he has been able to complete one of the tests. He still needs a blood draw, and then once we get his results we will need to order him all the supplements he needs. This will hopefully help him digest food better, eliminate a lot of the air in his stomach, and help him not be in so much pain. 

The tests are step one, but it’s still quite a lengthy journey to get the pain to subside. 

Thank you for any donations, sharing of this page, and support that is being sent his way. He’s a really sweet boy and he deserves to be able to play like every almost 9 year old should without tears everyday. So thank you for helping us help him! 

Coming up on nine months ago, something as simple as walking began to hurt. At first I assumed it would pass with time, but the pain slowly grew worse instead of better. Since then, I’ve been on a long and exhausting journey trying to find answers and healing.

Over the past several months I’ve seen multiple doctors, undergone X-rays, two MRIs, and a nerve test. I’ve worn a boot, a foot cast, primarily used a wheelchair, a scooter, a brace etc… The general conclusion has been that my foot and ankle are extremely inflamed and irritated, yet no clear structural injury has been found. While that might sound like good news, it has also meant there hasn’t been a clear solution to fix the problem. The pain is still very real and continues to affect daily life in ways I never expected.

For the last eight months I have been living with constant discomfort that can feel sore, burning, or stabbing pain. I can have a red/purple swollen foot. Walking long distances is incredibly difficult, nearly impossible, and I’m often limited to only a couple hundred steps a day. I haven’t been able to drive, and even something as simple as walking through a grocery store or even just around the house can be overwhelming. Living with chronic pain has changed so much about everyday life, and to be honest it has been difficult emotionally as well.

The hardest part is how much this impacts the roles that matter most to me. Being a mom, a wife, and a supportive, present person for the people I love is something I deeply value. When your body is in pain all the time, it becomes much harder to show up in the ways you want to. Some days simply getting through normal activities takes all the energy I have.

I am committed to continuing the search for healing. While some testing has been done already, there are still important avenues we are hoping to explore. Donations will help cover additional medical care including possible evaluations with a neurologist, testing for neuropathy, continued gut health and hormone testing, chiropractic care, and potentially working with a physical therapist who specializes in chronic pain. It may also include further imaging, such as an updated MRI, if recommended by specialists.

At the same time, our family is also trying to find answers for our 8½-year-old son, Ryker. For the past three years he has struggled with recurring stomach pain. He’s given up dairy, eggs and gluten to no avail. After searching for help, we finally found a doctor willing to run comprehensive gut health testing along with a food sensitivity and allergy panel. He often tells us he just wants his tummy to stop hurting and to feel better, and as parents that is incredibly hard to hear. If anyone feels led to support his testing and treatment as well, we would be deeply grateful.

Right now Steven is the only one able to drive our family while I focus on healing and homeschooling our kids. Being a one-income household during a time of ongoing medical care has created financial strain after so long that we simply cannot manage alone. Asking for help is not easy for me, but I am starting to accept and realize that sometimes healing requires community, and that’s okay.

Any support—whether through a donation, sharing this page, or simply sending encouragement—means more than we can express. Our hope is to continue pursuing answers so that both Ryker and I can live our day-to-day lives without fear and constant pain, no one should have to live that way. Especially a happy go lucky little dude who just wants to play.

You are appreciated and Thank you for taking the time to read our story and for being part of our path toward healing.

Love you more!