Help Alexandra Find A Cure
Donation protected
Hello everyone. My name is Alexandra. I am 29 years old and from New Jersey. I am creating this GoFundMe for myself and in hopes of supporting my little family, who has always supported me.
A little backstory on what I have been facing for the past thirteen years: When I was sixteen years old, my life changed forever. My father passed away after his long battle with scleroderma. The trauma must have triggered something in me, and that's when my health started declining. I suffer from severe skin complications. I have been to countless doctors and specialists, through insurance and lots out of pocket. I have tried lots of medications and lots of lifestyle changes with my diet. Many misdiagnoses. Nothing seems to help.
The pain I feel is definitely higher than a 10. My condition has been on and off throughout the years. This current flare has been the longest one ever, lasting 6 months straight, and is the worst it has ever been. My rash typically appears on my face and on my hands. It is currently spreading to my arms and legs. If you have never experienced this, I hope you never have to. It's hard to understand, but I'll try my best to explain my struggles to you.
My skin goes through cycles. Sometimes it feels like my body is walking through a blazing fire, but no extinguisher can put it out. Sometimes it feels like I am getting stung by a million bees, but all I can do is stand there. Sometimes my wounds ooze for hours, and I have to carry on as I drip. Sometimes it feels like I am wrapped in saran while I have honey slathered all over my body and hair. I am uncomfortable daily, and I feel suffocated in my own body. I just want to breathe again. I want the pain to go away. It may seem like I have it all together, but behind closed doors, I face challenges daily. I dread taking a shower because the water feels like acid on my skin. There have been times when my husband has had to blend my food or chop it up really small for me because my mouth cannot open wide enough. Combing my hair is a nightmare because my hands will start to crack and bleed. You get the idea.
Aside from the intense physical pain, this has also impacted me mentally and emotionally. I hate to say it, but yes, there are some days I would much rather not be here. I cannot imagine living the rest of my life like this. This has been a long fight, and unfortunately, I am at the point where I need to ask for help.
While I am very grateful to have learned how to "live a healthier life," this has financially robbed us. From buying medications, supplements, non-toxic products, eating a healthy diet, medical bandagings, visiting specialists. It all adds up, and we are barely making ends meet.
I have been avoiding this for a while because nobody wants to feel like a beggar. We all want to feel like we have it together and can do it on our own. I know there are other people who certainly have worse circumstances, and that breaks my heart. I wish I could take everyone's pain away.
I am a wife and a mother to the sweetest 9-month-old baby boy. We all try our best, but the mom guilt is real. It's depressing that I do not feel good enough for them. I so desperately want to find the root cause of this terrible disease and be the best version of myself for them. They are my reason to keep going.
My husband has been my only support. He has been juggling it all on his own shoulders, and I can tell the weight is getting heavy. He has been working jobs here and there to get us by. He has been working on our house to try and get it into better condition for our health. He does the majority of the cooking and cleaning. He does all the errands. He does so with a humble heart, and I am so grateful that he really meant "through sickness and health."
If you have made it this far, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to care and understand.
Now for the financial aspect of this:
The money graciously donated will be used for an array of purposes. I have done extensive research over my countless years and many nights awake crying in pain. I don't want to jinx myself by sounding too optimistic in my goals for healing, but I want to know that I have at least tried everything possible.
As much as I wish I could immediately put the money towards my health, first and foremost, the most important thing the money would go to would be to make sure our mortgage will be taken care of for at least the next few months. Having that security will be a big sigh of relief. Next, the money would be used to help cover expenses such as utilities and food.
Finally, if I am blessed enough to raise a decent amount, then I will be able to dive into focusing on tools to hopefully heal. I have seen many people share their testimony online of them curing their mysterious skin rashes. I know it's possible. I have faith. I need to believe in this.
A few things I would target if I had the means:
• Our basement has exposed dirt and a high water table that causes the dirt to become saturated, thus causing mold. I would want our basement to be properly sealed and for our home to be thoroughly remediated for hidden mold in our HVAC and possibly behind some walls. My husband, Gavin, has been working so hard chipping away at the projects on his own. This will be the most costly one.
• Next, our water is really hard, and my skin could benefit from a whole-house water softener. We also recently found out that our water is a bit contaminated. Being able to purchase a filtration system for drinking and cooking would be really helpful.
Once our home is secured as a safe zone, I would like to address other possible contributing triggers such as:
• Decaying root canals removed and replaced with implants from a biological dentist.
• My deviated septum. I have had the septoplasty surgery on it before, but it failed. I would like to try again because I know the importance of proper breathing.
I'd like to mention that we are quite frugal and make the most of the resources available to us. I realize that not everyone may grasp the significance of my GoFundMe, and that's perfectly fine. If you've made it this far, I sincerely appreciate your presence and support.
With all that said, if you have the means to donate, that would be greatly appreciated beyond what words can express. Whether it's $5 or $500, your contribution will help. If you do not have the financial ability to help, I completely understand and am asking from my heart if you could be so kind to at least share my GoFundMe link with your friends and your family. The more people this reaches, the more chances I have at hopefully finding relief from this terrible pain I am constantly in.
Please help me have a chance at a better quality of life. Please help me take the burden off my husband's shoulders. Please help me be able to be healthy for my baby boy. Please.
Condensing 13 years into one post is challenging, but if you have any questions about my condition and how your donation could assist, please feel free to reach out. I am transparent and willing to provide more detail. Although I'm aiming high with my goal, I harbor no expectations of achieving it entirely. However, reaching it would enable us to fulfill everything I am praying for.
Furthermore, if you find yourself facing challenges of your own while reading this, please accept my heartfelt embrace. As the saying goes, it takes a village. I hope that someday I'll be able to pay it forward and offer support to others in need.
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Love, Alexandra
A little backstory on what I have been facing for the past thirteen years: When I was sixteen years old, my life changed forever. My father passed away after his long battle with scleroderma. The trauma must have triggered something in me, and that's when my health started declining. I suffer from severe skin complications. I have been to countless doctors and specialists, through insurance and lots out of pocket. I have tried lots of medications and lots of lifestyle changes with my diet. Many misdiagnoses. Nothing seems to help.
The pain I feel is definitely higher than a 10. My condition has been on and off throughout the years. This current flare has been the longest one ever, lasting 6 months straight, and is the worst it has ever been. My rash typically appears on my face and on my hands. It is currently spreading to my arms and legs. If you have never experienced this, I hope you never have to. It's hard to understand, but I'll try my best to explain my struggles to you.
My skin goes through cycles. Sometimes it feels like my body is walking through a blazing fire, but no extinguisher can put it out. Sometimes it feels like I am getting stung by a million bees, but all I can do is stand there. Sometimes my wounds ooze for hours, and I have to carry on as I drip. Sometimes it feels like I am wrapped in saran while I have honey slathered all over my body and hair. I am uncomfortable daily, and I feel suffocated in my own body. I just want to breathe again. I want the pain to go away. It may seem like I have it all together, but behind closed doors, I face challenges daily. I dread taking a shower because the water feels like acid on my skin. There have been times when my husband has had to blend my food or chop it up really small for me because my mouth cannot open wide enough. Combing my hair is a nightmare because my hands will start to crack and bleed. You get the idea.
Aside from the intense physical pain, this has also impacted me mentally and emotionally. I hate to say it, but yes, there are some days I would much rather not be here. I cannot imagine living the rest of my life like this. This has been a long fight, and unfortunately, I am at the point where I need to ask for help.
While I am very grateful to have learned how to "live a healthier life," this has financially robbed us. From buying medications, supplements, non-toxic products, eating a healthy diet, medical bandagings, visiting specialists. It all adds up, and we are barely making ends meet.
I have been avoiding this for a while because nobody wants to feel like a beggar. We all want to feel like we have it together and can do it on our own. I know there are other people who certainly have worse circumstances, and that breaks my heart. I wish I could take everyone's pain away.
I am a wife and a mother to the sweetest 9-month-old baby boy. We all try our best, but the mom guilt is real. It's depressing that I do not feel good enough for them. I so desperately want to find the root cause of this terrible disease and be the best version of myself for them. They are my reason to keep going.
My husband has been my only support. He has been juggling it all on his own shoulders, and I can tell the weight is getting heavy. He has been working jobs here and there to get us by. He has been working on our house to try and get it into better condition for our health. He does the majority of the cooking and cleaning. He does all the errands. He does so with a humble heart, and I am so grateful that he really meant "through sickness and health."
If you have made it this far, I want to thank you so much for taking the time to care and understand.
Now for the financial aspect of this:
The money graciously donated will be used for an array of purposes. I have done extensive research over my countless years and many nights awake crying in pain. I don't want to jinx myself by sounding too optimistic in my goals for healing, but I want to know that I have at least tried everything possible.
As much as I wish I could immediately put the money towards my health, first and foremost, the most important thing the money would go to would be to make sure our mortgage will be taken care of for at least the next few months. Having that security will be a big sigh of relief. Next, the money would be used to help cover expenses such as utilities and food.
Finally, if I am blessed enough to raise a decent amount, then I will be able to dive into focusing on tools to hopefully heal. I have seen many people share their testimony online of them curing their mysterious skin rashes. I know it's possible. I have faith. I need to believe in this.
A few things I would target if I had the means:
• Our basement has exposed dirt and a high water table that causes the dirt to become saturated, thus causing mold. I would want our basement to be properly sealed and for our home to be thoroughly remediated for hidden mold in our HVAC and possibly behind some walls. My husband, Gavin, has been working so hard chipping away at the projects on his own. This will be the most costly one.
• Next, our water is really hard, and my skin could benefit from a whole-house water softener. We also recently found out that our water is a bit contaminated. Being able to purchase a filtration system for drinking and cooking would be really helpful.
Once our home is secured as a safe zone, I would like to address other possible contributing triggers such as:
• Decaying root canals removed and replaced with implants from a biological dentist.
• My deviated septum. I have had the septoplasty surgery on it before, but it failed. I would like to try again because I know the importance of proper breathing.
I'd like to mention that we are quite frugal and make the most of the resources available to us. I realize that not everyone may grasp the significance of my GoFundMe, and that's perfectly fine. If you've made it this far, I sincerely appreciate your presence and support.
With all that said, if you have the means to donate, that would be greatly appreciated beyond what words can express. Whether it's $5 or $500, your contribution will help. If you do not have the financial ability to help, I completely understand and am asking from my heart if you could be so kind to at least share my GoFundMe link with your friends and your family. The more people this reaches, the more chances I have at hopefully finding relief from this terrible pain I am constantly in.
Please help me have a chance at a better quality of life. Please help me take the burden off my husband's shoulders. Please help me be able to be healthy for my baby boy. Please.
Condensing 13 years into one post is challenging, but if you have any questions about my condition and how your donation could assist, please feel free to reach out. I am transparent and willing to provide more detail. Although I'm aiming high with my goal, I harbor no expectations of achieving it entirely. However, reaching it would enable us to fulfill everything I am praying for.
Furthermore, if you find yourself facing challenges of your own while reading this, please accept my heartfelt embrace. As the saying goes, it takes a village. I hope that someday I'll be able to pay it forward and offer support to others in need.
"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me."
Once again, thank you, thank you, thank you!
Love, Alexandra
Organizer
Alexandra McNall
Organizer
Boonton, NJ