Billi Lein - Gastroparesis Starving for a Cure

In July of 2017 an unexpected tragedy plummeted into our lives when Billi was diagnosed with the rare chornic illlness, Gastroparesis. This disorder causes one's stomach to be "paralyzed" or move very slowly. Billi was unfortunately diagnosed with severe Gastroparesis, and by December of 2017, she underwent surgery to have a surgical jejunostomy feeding tube placed in order to help her get nutrients and hydration. Within 6 months of her diagnosis she lost her job, ability to finish college, and ability to care for her kids. She cannot work, and SSDI has ruthlessly denied our application. Insurance has also denied many procedures, leaving us grasping for money for procedures that she absolutely needs. Now, since doctors are at a loss of what to do, Billi has been referred to the Cleveland Clinic for care. The team there is great, but the cost of traveling from Wyoming to Cleveland, as well as traveling to Colorado for health care is starting to weigh on our family. Medications and formula cost over $300 a month. Every doctor she sees is in another town, which requires gas and traveling fees. Every new doctor is a new copay and a new fee. She currently has a GI doctor, Bariatric Surgeon, Cardiologist, Pain Doctor, Nutrionist, Infectious Disease Doctor, Physical Therapy, General Practioner, Psychiatrist, Psychologist, and a referral to an endocrinologist. Her last hospital stay in January 2019 was $60,000. She is currently trying to raise money for the Smart Pill, which our insurance denied. This pill will allow doctors to see which regions of her GI tract are the slowest, and it has a camera that records everything in her GI tract for 5 days, including PH values, muscle contractions, and imaging. This pill will be a valuable diagnostic tool to help us find better ways to treat her disorders. There is no cure for gastroparesis or motility disorders. However, there are surgeries and other options that can improve her life so she can go back to school and obtain her dreams and be the mom, worker, and wife she has always hoped to be. Please help us help our family and Billi. This disease has taken so much from her and us. We have two young children (5 yr old son and 3 yr old daughter) who would love to have more time with their mother, and a family that is suffocating under healthcare expenses. We do not like to ask for free handouts, but any amount you can spare would be appreciated so we can keep trying to hold our family and household together.Thank you for your support, whether it be monetary or emotional or both. We appreciate any help provided and hope to pay it forward in return.