Danis Bite
Donation protected
On the 18th Oct 2015 my beautiful vibrant 14yr old daughter found a tick embedded in her back. The only time outside that weekend was to take our dog to the sport fields for a walk. At the time we thought little of it. Not worrying, I threw the tick out.
Next day, Monday Dani was unwell, she came home early from school, unusual as she loved school. Tuesday, she was worse & slept 22 hours. Wednesday, she was having trouble moving her arms & legs & wanted to sleep. By Weds night we really were alarmed, she was gasping for breath, couldn’t walk properly, splitting headache & sleepy. We went to the medical centre. A red mark the size of a 20-cent piece was on her back & the doctor put her on a basic antibiotic for a week as he believed her to have a skin infection at the site of the tick bite.
Friday, we rushed Dani to Hospital. She couldn’t communicate well, felt really nauseous, couldn’t lift her arms or legs & couldn’t walk. The Hospital ran blood tests which came back fine & proceeded to discharge her saying she had a virus. It was unlike any virus we knew. For 4 months we watched our once vibrant daughter deteriorate & searched for answers. A neighbour told us about a TV programme they watched talking about Lyme Disease in Australia. I found it online. These people showed the same symptoms as Dani.
Do you know how hard it is to get a Lyme literate Doctor in Australia? Let alone any professional medical support or information?
Dani has been treated for Borreliosis (Aust Lyme) & co-infections since Feb 2016. Dani’s day consists of consuming huge amounts of antibiotics & supplements. She has severe fatigue, some days she can walk around the house mostly she is in a wheelchair or using a walker. Dani has trouble thinking let alone trying to talk to anybody. The symptoms change & the problem is that you look “fine” on the outside.
Unfortunately, Dani’s body can no longer handle the oral antibiotic regime. Her symptoms have been worsening, she is struggling to function & getting weaker. The fatigue & pain can be so bad that she is in bed most of every day.
It’s heartbreaking to watch helplessly as she deteriorates. She so wants to be a normal 17 yr old & go to school. Dani dreams of the day she can go to the movies with her friends.
As Dani’s mother, I am desperate to ensure she can be healthy again. My worst fear is that this disease progresses to the point she can’t come back from ie. Motor Neuron Disease, MS or Dementia.
The most effective treatments are overseas. We have spent lots of money on Doctor’s visits, testing, medications, supplements, therapies & loss of income due to becoming a fulltime carer. On 26/06/17 Dani started Intravenous (IV) antibiotics three times a week on top of her previous regime.
We took Dani to Cyprus to receive IV Ozone therapy & additional patient-specific support protocols. This has helped clear her mind of the fog she has lived in for 2 years. Enabling us to start some more intensive antibiotic treatments previously her body would not have coped with. This is ongoing and Dani is likely going to need a top-up at an Ozone clinic overseas as unfortunately this is not done here in Australia. We will also have ongoing costs for treatment when she returns. Australian Lyme patients are having great success with this treatment. IV Ozone is gaining recognition as an effective treatment for Lyme around the world.
Currently, this is Dani’s best chance of beating the disease & living a normal life. It is an essential step in her journey to recovery. Ongoing treatment will be required to repair the damage done to her nervous system & keep her immune system strong enough to keep the Lyme in remission.
Dani’s ability to walk and get around is very limited and we would like to get her a mobility scooter to provide her with some independence and be out in the world.
We are thankful for the support we get from family & friends & know that with everyone behind us we can come out on top better than ever. If you wish to follow our journey I have set up a Facebook page @danisbigfight
Thank you
Wayne, Wendie, Shae, Dani & Ky
Next day, Monday Dani was unwell, she came home early from school, unusual as she loved school. Tuesday, she was worse & slept 22 hours. Wednesday, she was having trouble moving her arms & legs & wanted to sleep. By Weds night we really were alarmed, she was gasping for breath, couldn’t walk properly, splitting headache & sleepy. We went to the medical centre. A red mark the size of a 20-cent piece was on her back & the doctor put her on a basic antibiotic for a week as he believed her to have a skin infection at the site of the tick bite.
Friday, we rushed Dani to Hospital. She couldn’t communicate well, felt really nauseous, couldn’t lift her arms or legs & couldn’t walk. The Hospital ran blood tests which came back fine & proceeded to discharge her saying she had a virus. It was unlike any virus we knew. For 4 months we watched our once vibrant daughter deteriorate & searched for answers. A neighbour told us about a TV programme they watched talking about Lyme Disease in Australia. I found it online. These people showed the same symptoms as Dani.
Do you know how hard it is to get a Lyme literate Doctor in Australia? Let alone any professional medical support or information?
Dani has been treated for Borreliosis (Aust Lyme) & co-infections since Feb 2016. Dani’s day consists of consuming huge amounts of antibiotics & supplements. She has severe fatigue, some days she can walk around the house mostly she is in a wheelchair or using a walker. Dani has trouble thinking let alone trying to talk to anybody. The symptoms change & the problem is that you look “fine” on the outside.
Unfortunately, Dani’s body can no longer handle the oral antibiotic regime. Her symptoms have been worsening, she is struggling to function & getting weaker. The fatigue & pain can be so bad that she is in bed most of every day.
It’s heartbreaking to watch helplessly as she deteriorates. She so wants to be a normal 17 yr old & go to school. Dani dreams of the day she can go to the movies with her friends.
As Dani’s mother, I am desperate to ensure she can be healthy again. My worst fear is that this disease progresses to the point she can’t come back from ie. Motor Neuron Disease, MS or Dementia.
The most effective treatments are overseas. We have spent lots of money on Doctor’s visits, testing, medications, supplements, therapies & loss of income due to becoming a fulltime carer. On 26/06/17 Dani started Intravenous (IV) antibiotics three times a week on top of her previous regime.
We took Dani to Cyprus to receive IV Ozone therapy & additional patient-specific support protocols. This has helped clear her mind of the fog she has lived in for 2 years. Enabling us to start some more intensive antibiotic treatments previously her body would not have coped with. This is ongoing and Dani is likely going to need a top-up at an Ozone clinic overseas as unfortunately this is not done here in Australia. We will also have ongoing costs for treatment when she returns. Australian Lyme patients are having great success with this treatment. IV Ozone is gaining recognition as an effective treatment for Lyme around the world.
Currently, this is Dani’s best chance of beating the disease & living a normal life. It is an essential step in her journey to recovery. Ongoing treatment will be required to repair the damage done to her nervous system & keep her immune system strong enough to keep the Lyme in remission.
Dani’s ability to walk and get around is very limited and we would like to get her a mobility scooter to provide her with some independence and be out in the world.
We are thankful for the support we get from family & friends & know that with everyone behind us we can come out on top better than ever. If you wish to follow our journey I have set up a Facebook page @danisbigfight
Thank you
Wayne, Wendie, Shae, Dani & Ky
Organizer
Wendie McDougall
Organizer
Balgowlah NSW
