Help Tracy Fight Lyme Disease

Dear family and friends,

As some of you know, my wife and best friend Tracy has been very ill.  For the past year, she has chased treatment for a series of symptoms, with a series of specialists, to pinpoint and dispel what was attacking her body.  In the time that has passed since her first symptoms, what was once a treatable condition has now become a medical crisis.  In increments, we have finally discovered her diagnosis to be late stage neurological Lyme Disease. 

The nature of Lyme Disease is such that it affects each person differently, with an abundance of possible symptoms showing face to produce a personal cocktail of illness; some days alluding, and other days attacking with unmerciful, and inexplicable will.  For this reason, there are many of you friends in looser contact, who did not know Tracy has been sick.  For, like a lot of social posts, the days you saw us in person or on media sites were “the good days.”

While early detection of Lyme can be treated with common antibiotics, the politics in the medical community surrounding  targeted diagnosis lead too often to doctors ”referring out” when it shows face.  Unfortunately, this is exactly what happened to Tracy even after positive tests for Lyme in the beginning.  After the year to navigate through several ER visits, and 10 specialists (Rheumatologist, Ear, Nose, and Throat, Endocrinologist, Infectious Disease, Pain Management Specialist, Multiple Primary Care Providers, Integrative Therapist, Internist, Oncologist, Hematologist), Tracy was finally able to see a Lyme-literate doctor (LLMD), who was able to offer a real diagnosis, and tell the truth about what the future holds. 

The conclusion is that she indeed suffers from late stage neurological Lyme Disease, meaning the bacteria present have crossed what is known as the blood-brain barrier into her central nervous system , and produced the new symptoms of of Bell’s Palsy, nighttime paralysis, cardiac issues, uncontrollable tremors in her right hand, optic nerve corruption, and memory loss.  These are all in addition to the severe joint and muscle pain, dizziness, extreme weight loss, and brain fog she has suffered throughout the year.  The disease is now attacking her mind and spirit. 

In recent months, Tracy has become too sick to work, drive most days, or care for our 20 month old daughter, Presley, alone.  Keeping a closed door between a baby girl begging to play with her mommy, and her mommy on the other side suffering the agony of her shortcoming, has become unbearable.  To hear my wife say, and believe that Presley and I would be better off without her, has cracked the core of all I am built of. 

Please Help

Aggressive and specialized care is urgent.  With the help of Tracy’s family, we have found Envita Medical Center in Scottsdale, AZ, where we will begin treatment this month for Lyme, and the several co-infections interwoven. 

The lack of awareness and recognition in the general medical community leaves Envita’s, and most other Lyme traetments “un-insurable.”  The financial burden that will ensue will be significant, and due at the time of service.  I’ve simply exhausted all other options, but to ask for your help to build a financial network around seeing Tracy through comprehensive treatment, to regain the tenacious life she once led.   

How Your Donations Will Spend

·      The total treatment protocol will last 8-12 weeks, at an average quoted cost that approaches $80,000. 

·      $3500-$5500 initial appointment and testing to determine a treatment plan specific to her.

·      She will have a PICC-line inserted, and be receiving a series of intravenous treatments for 6-8 hours a day. 

·      Travel and lodging expenses for our family.  Envita is an out-patient facility, so Presley and I will be joining Tracy for the duration to support, transport, and care for her outside of her hospital stay.

 
Thank You

Thank you so much for reading, for your interest, and love.  Please consider donating to Tracy’s treatment.  We would appreciate you sharing her story, and helping spread the awareness of all peoples’ struggle with Lyme Disease.  We will update you on Tracy’s journey to recovery, and be forever grateful for any support you can lend, in whatever form you can offer.  Your prayers, and healing thoughts are powerful, and welcome. 

Love, Jesse, Tracy, and Presley

 
A Letter From Tracy

Today we’ve come to a place that I never saw ourselves coming to. I say us because my loving husband has stuck by my side throughout this grueling journey while watching this disease completely take over my mind, body, and soul.  This is not what he signed up for and it’s heartbreaking.  He meant what he said in his vows, exactly 3 years ago tomorrow.

My doctors unfortunately cannot help this late stage prognosis and recommend immediate and progressive treatment.  So with love and hope in our hearts, we are asking for help.

This disease ruins your body and if you are one of the really unlucky ones, it becomes neurological and begins to ruin your mind.  As soon as I regain strength and ability, I promise to fight for the people that are in my place, and especially the ones that are even less fortunate.

For now, I just want to be able to care for my daughter again, be able to drive again, take my dog for a walks, give the love back that my family deserves.

Absolutely anything you can give will forever be appreciated and if I come out on the other side of this I can promise you that I will give the love back in full. As we head to AZ, please keep us in your thoughts and prayers. You all will certainly be in ours.

Thank you to my parents who have given up everything to see me through.

Love, Tracy



If you would like to learn more about Lyme Disease, or Tracy's treatment, please click the links below:

www.Ilads.org

www.lymedisease.org

www.underourskin.com

https://www.envita.com/webinars/chronic-disease-presentation