Alexis's Neuro Lyme Fund
Donation protected
My name is Alexis Perez. I am a thirty three year old house call veterinary technician. I assist a house call vet in seeing appointments and providing treatment for sick animals. In addition, I offer petsitting/ hospice care/medication administration for pets in need in the comfort of their homes. I also walk dogs. My life has been devoted to helping animals in need. I have also just been diagnosed with Neurological Lyme Disease.
After struggling with a multitude of terrifying symptoms over the last five years that came on after nearly passing away from bacterial spinal meningitis (cognitive impairment, visual disturbances, brain fog, memory loss, flu like symptoms, chills, fevers, insomnia, and severely debilitating anxiety just to name a few things) my life suddenly started to revolve around doctors appointments and feeling like I was just surviving horrible moment after moment. I saw every doctor within my insurance network that I could get to listen to me- General practitioners, neurologists, endocrinologists, and rheumatologists. I had a plethora of bloodwork done, MRI's, EEG's, and even a very excruciating spinal tap. Things got so bad that on two separate occasions, I had to go on temporary disability from work. After having doctor after doctor tell me my symptoms were "all in my head," when my bloodwork and tests yielded little results despite my persisting symptoms, I finally saved up the money to see an LLMD/infectious disease specialist outside of my insurance. I begged my insurance to provide me with a second opinion and was denied.
I was tested for lyme, had a comprehensive viral panel (which my insurance refused to do) and for the presence of co-infections. Based on my results and clinical presentation of symtoms, I finally got a diagnosis. Neurological Lyme with mycoplasma and a multitude of viral activity with antibodies so high they stopped counting.
What I thought should have been a relief, to finally have a name for what had been plaguing me for so long, ended up meaning long term, intensive, sometimes painful, (die off reactions, drug/herb side effects) scary and an extremely costly treatment plan.
The CDC does not recognize that Chronic Lyme is a real disease and insurance will not cover treatment. Up until this point, I have been paying out of pocket for continued care- appointments, lab work, medicine, herbs and supplements etc. I have maxed out my credit cards. I do not come from money. Having to ask my family and friends for help has been very difficult for me to do. I have pride and feel guilt for having to ask for help at this point in my life when I need it most. It took me putting myself into terrible debt and hitting a financial brick wall before having the courage to reach out on a fundraising site. At this point, I cannot afford to be proud and am willing and grateful for any help I can get for continued care. I am terrified of this illness and have a long road ahead of me.
Before I got sick, I was studying Italian, learning to play the accordion, I enjoyed hiking, biking, running & dancing. I was extremely outgoing and social. I love/d art, design, and is/was interested in fashion. In retrospect, I was happy. I feel like this illness has nearly stripped me of everything that made me feel vital and part of this world. I never knew things could be this way. I would give anything and everything I own to have my health back.
I feel like I am going out on a limb asking strangers for help with my health crisis but I honestly don't know what else to do. Anything and everything helps. I am profoundly grateful for every bit of assistance I am able to get . I just want to feel better. Thank you to anyone and everyone who is willing to help!
After struggling with a multitude of terrifying symptoms over the last five years that came on after nearly passing away from bacterial spinal meningitis (cognitive impairment, visual disturbances, brain fog, memory loss, flu like symptoms, chills, fevers, insomnia, and severely debilitating anxiety just to name a few things) my life suddenly started to revolve around doctors appointments and feeling like I was just surviving horrible moment after moment. I saw every doctor within my insurance network that I could get to listen to me- General practitioners, neurologists, endocrinologists, and rheumatologists. I had a plethora of bloodwork done, MRI's, EEG's, and even a very excruciating spinal tap. Things got so bad that on two separate occasions, I had to go on temporary disability from work. After having doctor after doctor tell me my symptoms were "all in my head," when my bloodwork and tests yielded little results despite my persisting symptoms, I finally saved up the money to see an LLMD/infectious disease specialist outside of my insurance. I begged my insurance to provide me with a second opinion and was denied.
I was tested for lyme, had a comprehensive viral panel (which my insurance refused to do) and for the presence of co-infections. Based on my results and clinical presentation of symtoms, I finally got a diagnosis. Neurological Lyme with mycoplasma and a multitude of viral activity with antibodies so high they stopped counting.
What I thought should have been a relief, to finally have a name for what had been plaguing me for so long, ended up meaning long term, intensive, sometimes painful, (die off reactions, drug/herb side effects) scary and an extremely costly treatment plan.
The CDC does not recognize that Chronic Lyme is a real disease and insurance will not cover treatment. Up until this point, I have been paying out of pocket for continued care- appointments, lab work, medicine, herbs and supplements etc. I have maxed out my credit cards. I do not come from money. Having to ask my family and friends for help has been very difficult for me to do. I have pride and feel guilt for having to ask for help at this point in my life when I need it most. It took me putting myself into terrible debt and hitting a financial brick wall before having the courage to reach out on a fundraising site. At this point, I cannot afford to be proud and am willing and grateful for any help I can get for continued care. I am terrified of this illness and have a long road ahead of me.
Before I got sick, I was studying Italian, learning to play the accordion, I enjoyed hiking, biking, running & dancing. I was extremely outgoing and social. I love/d art, design, and is/was interested in fashion. In retrospect, I was happy. I feel like this illness has nearly stripped me of everything that made me feel vital and part of this world. I never knew things could be this way. I would give anything and everything I own to have my health back.
I feel like I am going out on a limb asking strangers for help with my health crisis but I honestly don't know what else to do. Anything and everything helps. I am profoundly grateful for every bit of assistance I am able to get . I just want to feel better. Thank you to anyone and everyone who is willing to help!
Organizer
Alexis Perez
Organizer
Daly City, CA
