Christy's Lyme Disease Treatment
Donation protected
This page is dedicated to the health of my loving wife, a wonderful mother of our our two daughters, and my best friend for life.
We began our life journey together in 1998 and as with all couples, we filled it with dreams, hopes, aspirations, careers, and goals. We rapidly climbed our way to a very successful and very happy family. God has blessed up with a home, two wonderful children, great friends, and many successes...a normal life story until...
Christy's health began slowly degrading over the past several years. We attributed most of it to the stress of raising our two children, the oldest is Autistic (Aspergers type) and has very unique needs of her own, and juggling a very successful full time career as a Paramedic. Christy had set her goal of becoming a Flight Paramedic and had begun school to obtain her Critical Care Paramedic certification when something surfaced that just wasn't right.
We began a two year struggle of her "loosing" strength, muscle control, cognitive ability, body mass, sanity, and so much more. Doctor after Doctor we heard everything from bipolar, fibromyalgia, chronic fatique, to psychosis because nothing was wrong. Christy slowly transformed from a VERY active and VERY involved mother and leader in our family to a bed confined and almost silent shell of whom none of us knew.
In March 2010 (seven specialist later) our daughter's Autism Specialist hit the nail on the head, Lyme Disease! The battle was on to save her and our family from what lied ahead. Most Lyme Disease is very brief and easily treated, but not hers. Chronic Disseminated is the word that was used which means deeply imbedded in her joints, muscle tissues, nerves, heart, and brain. Disabililty and Death were terms that we had both heard in our medical careers but never expected to deal with first hand.
We have accepted this battle full on with medical expenses last year exceeding $14k and this year will more than double that mark. Her current treatment amounts to approximately $200/day with insurance covering a portion of this but only for 28 days. Why 28 days? Under the current IDSA Guidelines, Chronic Lyme does not exist and they (insurance) say Lyme can be cured in 28 days. 28 days has passed...still not cured!
Her dreams are still there, but her career has been placed on hold. Christy is now disabled and awaiting approval for disability assistance. Her mind wanders and goes blank, "brain fog" they call it. Our daughers are struggling with why mommy can't get out of bed, why mommy can't understand them, why mommy has to have a sitter, why we can't afford this and that, why??? All questions that children should not have to deal with.
I have established this site to help raise money for Christy's treatment. I am a very proud and very independant person and NEVER did I once believe I would be on my knees before God and the world asking for help. Our lives have been turned upside down, our financial reserves are gone. The bills and collection agencies have become our daily life. I only ask that you search you heart and help us with any amount that you can.
All money collected will go towards her medical expenses incurred while battling Chronic Lyme Disease. The expenses so far include laboratory testing, medications, nutritional supplements, hospital bills, clinic bills, home infusion supplies and services.
Supporters can also help by praying without ceasing and supporting her in this difficult time. Please learn about this debilitating illness. There is a wonderful documentary out that really mirrors the struggles that we have faced. I reccomend everyone to please watch "Under our Skin" on your local pay per view or get a copy at www.underourskin.com
We began our life journey together in 1998 and as with all couples, we filled it with dreams, hopes, aspirations, careers, and goals. We rapidly climbed our way to a very successful and very happy family. God has blessed up with a home, two wonderful children, great friends, and many successes...a normal life story until...
Christy's health began slowly degrading over the past several years. We attributed most of it to the stress of raising our two children, the oldest is Autistic (Aspergers type) and has very unique needs of her own, and juggling a very successful full time career as a Paramedic. Christy had set her goal of becoming a Flight Paramedic and had begun school to obtain her Critical Care Paramedic certification when something surfaced that just wasn't right.
We began a two year struggle of her "loosing" strength, muscle control, cognitive ability, body mass, sanity, and so much more. Doctor after Doctor we heard everything from bipolar, fibromyalgia, chronic fatique, to psychosis because nothing was wrong. Christy slowly transformed from a VERY active and VERY involved mother and leader in our family to a bed confined and almost silent shell of whom none of us knew.
In March 2010 (seven specialist later) our daughter's Autism Specialist hit the nail on the head, Lyme Disease! The battle was on to save her and our family from what lied ahead. Most Lyme Disease is very brief and easily treated, but not hers. Chronic Disseminated is the word that was used which means deeply imbedded in her joints, muscle tissues, nerves, heart, and brain. Disabililty and Death were terms that we had both heard in our medical careers but never expected to deal with first hand.
We have accepted this battle full on with medical expenses last year exceeding $14k and this year will more than double that mark. Her current treatment amounts to approximately $200/day with insurance covering a portion of this but only for 28 days. Why 28 days? Under the current IDSA Guidelines, Chronic Lyme does not exist and they (insurance) say Lyme can be cured in 28 days. 28 days has passed...still not cured!
Her dreams are still there, but her career has been placed on hold. Christy is now disabled and awaiting approval for disability assistance. Her mind wanders and goes blank, "brain fog" they call it. Our daughers are struggling with why mommy can't get out of bed, why mommy can't understand them, why mommy has to have a sitter, why we can't afford this and that, why??? All questions that children should not have to deal with.
I have established this site to help raise money for Christy's treatment. I am a very proud and very independant person and NEVER did I once believe I would be on my knees before God and the world asking for help. Our lives have been turned upside down, our financial reserves are gone. The bills and collection agencies have become our daily life. I only ask that you search you heart and help us with any amount that you can.
All money collected will go towards her medical expenses incurred while battling Chronic Lyme Disease. The expenses so far include laboratory testing, medications, nutritional supplements, hospital bills, clinic bills, home infusion supplies and services.
Supporters can also help by praying without ceasing and supporting her in this difficult time. Please learn about this debilitating illness. There is a wonderful documentary out that really mirrors the struggles that we have faced. I reccomend everyone to please watch "Under our Skin" on your local pay per view or get a copy at www.underourskin.com
Organizer
Shane Driver
Organizer
Cullman, AL
