Main fundraiser photo

Lyme Fight

My Journey...

Hi, my name is Amanda and I have been battling Chronic Lyme Disease and three co-infections for over 22 years. I only recently was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme disease in November of 2013. It has been a major battle dealing with all the different aspects of this disease and the burdens it causes.

The physical pain that comes with Chronic Lyme can be unbearable and most often leaves me bed written. With the help of pain management I am able to still enjoy some activity once in awhile. The symptoms of Lyme mimics many major diseases like MS, ALS, Lou Gehrig's, Alzheimer's and Lupus.

I can't stress enough that this is an INVISIBLE ILLNESS and even though I look perfectly normal on the outside, I promise you I am not on the inside. With that being said the emotional burden that Lyme brings is probably worse than the physical. People tend to not believe you that your sick and turn their backs on you because they think your faking or over exaggerating. Doctors turn you away because of the political drama associated with Lyme or because they to believe your a mental case. I can tell you they are wrong, Chronic Lyme exists and millions suffer with this disease and are like me physically, emotionally and financially drained.

The impact of insurance companies not paying for long term care puts an enormous burden on my family and many families like mine. I am a selfless person and to start this page and ask for help has been one of the hardest things I have ever done. I am all about helping others and giving all I can, so this is a big change for me.

My current situation is not good. My health overall is declining daily. My IV treatment was stopped abruptly in January 2015 due to my husband's new health insurance company denying ALL my treatment for Lyme Disease. I have done everything in my power to have this overturned but to no avail. My only option now is to pay for treatment out of pocket and to travel to see a Lyme Literate doctor out of state. Treatment for Lyme is extremely experimental and expensive so insurance companies don't want to pay. IV treatments costs about $45/day and nursing care costs around $800-$1200/mth if they only come once a week. Supply costs can run up to $2000/mth. Specialist visits run from $150-$350 once a month. My pharmacy bill runs from $1300-$3100/mth and that IS WITH INSURANCE! Travel costs to and from the doctor with cheap accommodations run from $300-$700.

Even though my husband has a job, we can not afford this out of pocket. We have three beautiful children that also need taking care of. My oldest daughter (a senior this year) was diagnosed with beginning stages of Rheumatoid Arthritis this year. It is alot to take in and deal with and this is the only thing I can do to help take the burden off my husband and family.

I am asking for your help, to help me get my life back. I appreciate anything at all you can do or donate to help with this journey. If you want to learn more about Lyme Disease you can go to the following websites to get a better understanding.
www.Lymebranch.org
http://www.ilads.org/
http://aldf.com/
http://lymelightfoundation.org/about-lyme/
https://www.lymedisease.org/

Lyme Disease Survey (Must Read For ALL)
https://www.lymedisease.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/lymedisease.org-patient-survey-20151.pdf


If you can't help me or others like me financially then please get involved by educating, lobbying or bringing awareness to everyone you know!

BRANCH OUT. BITE BACK.

God Bless!

I wanted to add a link to my blog so you can follow my journey there as well. www.mandaswords.weebly.com

My Family <3



Me in the hospital-surgery


Port-a-cath pic



Organizer

Amanda Raccuglia
Organizer
Mandeville, LA

Your easy, powerful, and trusted home for help

  • Easy

    Donate quickly and easily.

  • Powerful

    Send help right to the people and causes you care about.

  • Trusted

    Your donation is protected by the  GoFundMe Giving Guarantee.