Just trying to stay afloat

Most of you know me, and my story. But since I am hoping this page will be shared over and over in order to help me reach a very important goal let me back up and introduce myself to those of you I have yet to meet. My name is Michelle Murphy and I am trying to raise money to get to the Mayo Clinic in February and to help defray the cost of medical bills acrued both at Mayo and here at home.

About a year ago I was diagnosed with a stomach condition called Gastroparesis. Such a benign name for such an insideous monster. In just a year's time this monster has stolen my job, my savings, my home, my retirement account, my ability to live on my own, my ability to eat like a regular person, has left me with a feeding tube, and has tried to steal my sense of self. I've managed to hold that back from it but it was a close one.

All the research I have done has led me to believe that the Mayo Clinic can help me get a lot of that back. I may never get it all back, but even a little would be great. Any help you feel willing and able to provide to make this trip possible would be an amazing gift to me and to my future. Thank you does not seem like a big enough word to express the gratitude I feel for any help big or small.

With Love and Thanks,
Michelle