THE FIGHTER FIGHTING FOR HER LIFE!

My name is Ashlee Gambino, I’m 32 years old, I’m a wife, mother and a retired professional fighter. Recently I’ve had an intensely tragic string of events happen to my family and myself.. That’s why I’m asking for your help..

*Trigger warning*

In late November of last year we unexpectedly and immediately lost our 3 (almost 4) year old daughter to acute leukemia cancer.. One week after her funeral I was diagnosed with a rare heart and lung disease called severe idiopathic pulmonary arterial hypertension. This causes progressive heart failure; a deteriorating condition for which there is no cure. My condition is so severe and fragile that I was given hope of reaching another 5 years.. At the time of diagnosis, I was 20 weeks pregnant with a beautiful healthy baby girl. Due to the severity of my condition, I was forced to terminate my pregnancy to save my life and prevent the suffering of my child. At such a late stage of this

untreated condition, I wouldn’t have made it much longer.. When it was found, the pressures in my lungs were 5X what they should have been and as a result, the right side of my heart is now twice the size it should be...

We lost our two daughters and were informed I have a severe terminal illness within two months. This has completely devastated us mentally, physically, and financially. We had to sell our car, move into a small apartment, and put a pause on my husband’s career.

I now have to live with a machine attached to my hip that’s continuously pumping medication into a tube that goes up my shirt, into my chest and directly into my heart. This medicine is not a cure but a treatment. The treatment is brutal and sometimes I’m in bed for days. I have to mix my medication and switch out the pump every other day, this process takes about 45 minutes; along with other various routines. I have to change the dressing for my tube 1-2 times a week, this process takes about 25 mins. I have to keep up with my symptoms and continuously check in with my Drs. as well as take pills 3 times a day.

The lifestyle is not easy to maintenance or maintain. I’m constantly in pain. I’m always sore and fatigued.. I cannot walk for very long, I cannot submerge myself in water, and I cannot lift anything even slightly heavy.. I have to take precautions about everything I do and everywhere I go. Needless to say, I cannot physically work or take care of my children full-time. My husband has to stay home with me a lot because I randomly have to take long naps or sometimes I will fall in and out for days. He recently tried a 9-5 but it did not work out for us at all! Thankfully he does make money with his online work but unfortunately it’s never enough to fully provide after everything that’s happened..

I’m starting this GoFundMe because we have been struggling hard emotionally and financially ever since all this began and we desperately need a break. I’m hoping to raise funds for a car so I can go to work as an Uber driver. This is pretty much the only type of work I can handle part-time. . The funds will also go towards a headstone for my daughter which we still haven’t been able to get her.. I need to pay for doctor appointments with the specialists that diagnosed me until I can figure something else out. There are only a few specialists in the country, none of which are in Nevada... I’m also hoping to raise enough to get us into a better apartment with a few months of rent to relax and finally mourn/prepare. We have not had time to mourn or even comprehend what’s happened yet. We need a better apartment and neighborhood for our kids and my health. This is also for my very expensive medicine.. insurance covers most but not all. .

I truly appreciate you taking the time to read this. If you cannot donate, please share our story! As a fighter, it’s hard for me to ask for help but I’m thankful I still can. ❤️

-Ashlee