Life-Saving Treatment Needed
Donation protected
"I—I didn't think I was going to make it." The words, spoken so slowly and matter-of-factly, reverberated through my brain. She's only twenty-six. How can we be having this conversation? How can this be happening to her??? What in the world can I say to comfort her when my heart is breaking?
Sparkly-eyed. Vivacious. Opinionated. Intelligent. Social. Laughing. Sports-loving. Adventurous. Outdoorsy. Talented. Competitive. Driven. These are the words that used to describe my sister Kari. But now, most of them are just distant reminders of who she used to be, before her true self got trapped inside a body riddled with disease and her vibrant blue eyes became dull and glazed. Now, her new "normal" is hoping she can get out of bed in the morning. It's hoping she can actually eat at least one meal during the day without becoming violently ill. It's hoping that she doesn't have a seizure. It's hoping that she has enough strength to walk. It's hoping that she can actually talk and communicate with others. It's hoping that today isn't her last day on this earth. I wish I were being melodramatic. I wish I were exaggerating for the sake of effect. But I'm not. This is only the briefest of glimpses into the reality that has been my beloved sister's life for ten years due to the debilitating effects of Lyme Disease.
She has suffered in silence for a long time because she doesn't like to worry others with her problems. I usually don't talk about it either and pretend life is fine because it's so painful to discuss. But now that her mortality is confronting us all with every piece of food she cannot eat, with every medicine she takes that completely decimates her system, and with every excruciating pain she constantly suffers, there is little recourse but to raise a desperate plea for others to help her survive.
Kari and my mother, Beth, who also has an extremely serious case of Lyme, have been praying and searching for years trying to find answers and help, to little avail. They have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars going to clinics, specialists, etc. I will never forget being with my mother in a clinic, truly believing she was going to die in front of me. I will also never forget the first time I saw my sister have a seizure that lasted over half an hour, or how helpless we felt after hearing multiple doctors' responses that she was making it all up and it was all in her head. Having two family members with such a severe form of this life-altering illness has greatly changed my perspective on what truly matters in life. Now, even the best doctors my family has found after years of searching have no answers left. At this time, after countless hours of research, there is one viable option remaining, which is what has led me to create this page.
There is a facility located in Kansas that specializes in treating patients with severe/life-threatening Lyme and other diseases. It is the only facility we have found that has the technology needed to fully ascertain the depth and scope of their illnesses and the capability of providing the care and treatment they so desperately need. It is imperative Kari and my mom go to this treatment center if there is to be any hope of them improving. They have submitted their applications and been accepted, as their cases are both extremely serious. They are scheduled to arrive at the clinic in mid-February. Treatment usually lasts for two consecutive weeks, but their situation is so dire the doctor wants them both to have three-week treatments. All payments are completely out-of-pocket and due upon arrival; no insurance plan covers anything. The treatment alone is $30,000 for the three weeks (this covers both of them). There will be other expenses as well (e.g., travel, hotel, etc.). Additionally, immediate family members will have to take turns taking time off work in order to assist them, as they cannot make the trip alone.
No parent should ever have to say this is likely their child's last chance for survival, but both of my parents have made this comment to me. Kari has been housebound for a long time, leaving the homestead only twice in the last six months. Travel is very risky for her; the fact that she is willing to take this long trek to receive this treatment shows she knows how important it truly is. While I have focused more on Kari's situation because of the imminent need for treatment, my mom also definitely needs to get help at this facility as well.
Please prayerfully consider donating to this cause. We greatly appreciate any and all support. I would love to be able to just give them the money myself, but unfortunately that is not possible at this point. Certainly our most pressing concern is being able to pay for the upcoming treatments, but as Lyme treatments/medications are rarely covered by mainstream insurance companies (which has led to astronomical amounts of money being paid out-of-pocket over the years), funds to support any part of their continued journey to health are vitally important. Thank you immeasurably for anything you can do to help our family during this challenging time.
Sparkly-eyed. Vivacious. Opinionated. Intelligent. Social. Laughing. Sports-loving. Adventurous. Outdoorsy. Talented. Competitive. Driven. These are the words that used to describe my sister Kari. But now, most of them are just distant reminders of who she used to be, before her true self got trapped inside a body riddled with disease and her vibrant blue eyes became dull and glazed. Now, her new "normal" is hoping she can get out of bed in the morning. It's hoping she can actually eat at least one meal during the day without becoming violently ill. It's hoping that she doesn't have a seizure. It's hoping that she has enough strength to walk. It's hoping that she can actually talk and communicate with others. It's hoping that today isn't her last day on this earth. I wish I were being melodramatic. I wish I were exaggerating for the sake of effect. But I'm not. This is only the briefest of glimpses into the reality that has been my beloved sister's life for ten years due to the debilitating effects of Lyme Disease.
She has suffered in silence for a long time because she doesn't like to worry others with her problems. I usually don't talk about it either and pretend life is fine because it's so painful to discuss. But now that her mortality is confronting us all with every piece of food she cannot eat, with every medicine she takes that completely decimates her system, and with every excruciating pain she constantly suffers, there is little recourse but to raise a desperate plea for others to help her survive.
Kari and my mother, Beth, who also has an extremely serious case of Lyme, have been praying and searching for years trying to find answers and help, to little avail. They have spent thousands upon thousands of dollars going to clinics, specialists, etc. I will never forget being with my mother in a clinic, truly believing she was going to die in front of me. I will also never forget the first time I saw my sister have a seizure that lasted over half an hour, or how helpless we felt after hearing multiple doctors' responses that she was making it all up and it was all in her head. Having two family members with such a severe form of this life-altering illness has greatly changed my perspective on what truly matters in life. Now, even the best doctors my family has found after years of searching have no answers left. At this time, after countless hours of research, there is one viable option remaining, which is what has led me to create this page.
There is a facility located in Kansas that specializes in treating patients with severe/life-threatening Lyme and other diseases. It is the only facility we have found that has the technology needed to fully ascertain the depth and scope of their illnesses and the capability of providing the care and treatment they so desperately need. It is imperative Kari and my mom go to this treatment center if there is to be any hope of them improving. They have submitted their applications and been accepted, as their cases are both extremely serious. They are scheduled to arrive at the clinic in mid-February. Treatment usually lasts for two consecutive weeks, but their situation is so dire the doctor wants them both to have three-week treatments. All payments are completely out-of-pocket and due upon arrival; no insurance plan covers anything. The treatment alone is $30,000 for the three weeks (this covers both of them). There will be other expenses as well (e.g., travel, hotel, etc.). Additionally, immediate family members will have to take turns taking time off work in order to assist them, as they cannot make the trip alone.
No parent should ever have to say this is likely their child's last chance for survival, but both of my parents have made this comment to me. Kari has been housebound for a long time, leaving the homestead only twice in the last six months. Travel is very risky for her; the fact that she is willing to take this long trek to receive this treatment shows she knows how important it truly is. While I have focused more on Kari's situation because of the imminent need for treatment, my mom also definitely needs to get help at this facility as well.
Please prayerfully consider donating to this cause. We greatly appreciate any and all support. I would love to be able to just give them the money myself, but unfortunately that is not possible at this point. Certainly our most pressing concern is being able to pay for the upcoming treatments, but as Lyme treatments/medications are rarely covered by mainstream insurance companies (which has led to astronomical amounts of money being paid out-of-pocket over the years), funds to support any part of their continued journey to health are vitally important. Thank you immeasurably for anything you can do to help our family during this challenging time.
Organizer
Allison Schlecht
Organizer
Bellevue, NE
