Local Family Faces Critical Health Challenge
IDAHO FALLS — A local man, Jasen, finds himself in an unimaginable situation as he fights for his wife’s life while also caring for their unborn child. The family faces the added challenge of relocating to another state on short notice for necessary medical care, prompting them to start a fundraiser for support.
Jasen, an army veteran, and Ambrosia Howell, married for ten years, live in Idaho Falls. Ambrosia was diagnosed with stage 4 bronchiolitis obliterans last year at just 29. This severe condition is life-threatening and causes significant health challenges.
According to the American Lung Association, bronchiolitis obliterans is a rare and progressive lung disease that results in inflammation and irreversible lung damage. Ambrosia’s lungs are severely scarred, complicating her ability to breathe.
“Being on oxygen at my age—it’s not normal. Be prepared for the worst,” said Ambrosia, now 30, who has been dependent on oxygen since 2024.
Health Background
Ambrosia’s battles with health issues began at birth, weighing only 1 pound 11 ounces and born at just 24 weeks. She overcame a collapsed lung, had open-heart surgery the day she was born, and spent her first year in a hospital. She took her first steps at age two, only after being weaned off oxygen.
Despite her hardships, she earned a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice and dedicated four years to working in mental health, including with foster youth. “She has a true passion for helping others,” Jasen shared.
Unfortunately, in 2021, Ambrosia’s health began to decline following repeated hospital visits amid the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to her diagnosis of bronchiolitis obliterans. “It’s been tough. I’ve had to slow my life down considerably, and my inability to work has been hard,” Ambrosia expressed.
Further complications arose when doctors discovered her heart was under stress, resulting in a diagnosis of intermittent ectopic atrial rhythm. She now requires a double lung transplant but needs to lose weight first. Ironically, an unexpected factor—her pregnancy—has made this difficult.
Unexpected Pregnancy
Ambrosia is currently 26 weeks pregnant with their daughter, Aurora, due on September 5. This pregnancy was not planned. Before finding out she was pregnant, she and Jasen sought medical advice regarding the risks associated with her lung condition and potential motherhood.
After an appointment with a maternal-fetal medicine expert, they decided to pause their attempts to conceive after being warned of the risks to Ambrosia’s health. “Of course, once we stopped trying, that’s when we found out,” Jasen remarked.
Doctors had recommended a lung transplant prior to conception and suggested a waiting period of one to two years post-surgery before attempting to conceive. However, finding out about the pregnancy in January was a shock for both. “It was a mixed bag of happiness and fear,” Jasen said.
Consultations in Utah
“Moving forward, I have to be hopeful that I can get through this and that my baby will be safe during delivery,” Ambrosia added. She has been consulting maternal-fetal medicine specialists at the University of Utah Health. Alarmingly, she was advised to consider abortion due to the potential risks to her health.
“I know the risks, but I love our baby. I want to give her a chance,” Ambrosia stated. She emphasized the need for a full medical team present during delivery to support both her and the baby.
Doctors indicated that early delivery may be necessary because of Ambrosia’s breathing difficulties as the pregnancy advances. “As the baby grows, she’ll restrict my lung capacity,” Ambrosia explained.
Expert Opinions
EastIdahoNews.com requested an interview with the doctors at the University of Utah regarding Ambrosia’s care but were denied due to confidentiality as she is a patient. However, experts from UW Medicine provided insights on how lung disease can complicate pregnancies.
Dr. Guang-Shing Cheng explained that bronchiolitis obliterans is uncommon and causes airflow obstruction. “It’s extremely challenging to treat,” she said. While lung transplants can be life-extending, they come with serious risks.
Dr. Alisa Kachikis, a maternal-fetal medicine expert, noted that high-risk pregnancies require careful management and can lead to complications for either the mother or the baby. She added that prior issues with lung function can worsen during pregnancy due to physiological changes.
The Fundraiser
With recent medical appointments in Utah suggesting more frequent visits, Jasen and Ambrosia are looking to move there quickly. This situation has caused significant financial stress, leading them to create a fundraiser similar to GoFundMe to cover travel costs, medical expenses, and unexpected issues, with a goal of $500,000. As of Tuesday morning, they have raised $330.
“These donations allow us to focus on surviving, rather than worrying about where our next meal will come from,” Jasen emphasized. Ambrosia expressed gratitude for any support received. “Even sharing our story helps; I just want the chance to be a mom,” she said.
Adding to their challenges, Ambrosia cannot undergo a lung transplant until after the pregnancy as the required medications are too risky for an unborn child. “We just want a happy ending like everyone else, you know?” she reflected.
Last year, the couple was recipients of a Secret Santa gift, which is a program that supports deserving families during the holidays.
