Bethany’s Surgery Fund
Donation protected
Bethany has struggled with the long term effects of late stage neurological Lyme disease for years now. Thousands of dollars into treatment and frequent appointments with multiple Lyme specialists have really made a difference with some of her symptoms. Her cognitive function has greatly improved along with her energy levels, and though we still have a long journey ahead we have made some notable progress. Unfortunately, those treatments have not touched the most painful and persistent symptom of her Lyme disease: the Trigeminal Neuralgia, which is the reason for this gofundme.
The long-term effects of untreated Lyme disease
The Lyme disease has compromised Bethany’s immune system in such a way that her body has a difficult time fending off most infections of any kind. Ultimately this has led to a bone infection in her jaw following her wisdom teeth extraction. The infection was only recently discovered with a CT scan, and a specialist has told us this may be the cause for her trigeminal neuralgia. Surgery is needed to clear out the infection and restore her damaged jaw bone, but unfortunately our insurance will not cover even a little bit of this procedure. This means we will have to pay out of pocket on the day of surgery. Because her Lyme treatment already costs so much per month, we are unable to come up with the money on such short notice. For this reason we come to friends and family for your help.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: The Suicide Disease
If you google “suicide disease” you will find that Trigeminal Neuralgia can not fully be understood by simply calling it facial pain. When the trigeminal nerve running down the face is damaged it causes an extremely painful sensation of burning and aching that is made worse by any touch or breeze. She can not eat or talk or move her mouth at all without aggravating the nerve and she has not been able to sing for almost two years. She can’t hold her phone to that side of her face or even lay on that side when she sleeps. Even a kiss or the wind can flare up the nerve and cause intense and oftentimes debilitating pain.
The Operation
We have just under five weeks to raise this money which will cover the operation itself as well as six post-operative appointments to maintain her health and wellness as she heals. We’ve been told by multiple doctors that this operation is her best hope for treating her trigeminal neuralgia, and that others who have come before her with similar situations have had great success with it. This would be a huge step forward in Bethany’s Lyme treatment and truly raise her quality of life!
Thank you all for taking the time to read our story, and for even considering helping us with this surgery. We appreciate you!
The long-term effects of untreated Lyme disease
The Lyme disease has compromised Bethany’s immune system in such a way that her body has a difficult time fending off most infections of any kind. Ultimately this has led to a bone infection in her jaw following her wisdom teeth extraction. The infection was only recently discovered with a CT scan, and a specialist has told us this may be the cause for her trigeminal neuralgia. Surgery is needed to clear out the infection and restore her damaged jaw bone, but unfortunately our insurance will not cover even a little bit of this procedure. This means we will have to pay out of pocket on the day of surgery. Because her Lyme treatment already costs so much per month, we are unable to come up with the money on such short notice. For this reason we come to friends and family for your help.
Trigeminal Neuralgia: The Suicide Disease
If you google “suicide disease” you will find that Trigeminal Neuralgia can not fully be understood by simply calling it facial pain. When the trigeminal nerve running down the face is damaged it causes an extremely painful sensation of burning and aching that is made worse by any touch or breeze. She can not eat or talk or move her mouth at all without aggravating the nerve and she has not been able to sing for almost two years. She can’t hold her phone to that side of her face or even lay on that side when she sleeps. Even a kiss or the wind can flare up the nerve and cause intense and oftentimes debilitating pain.
The Operation
We have just under five weeks to raise this money which will cover the operation itself as well as six post-operative appointments to maintain her health and wellness as she heals. We’ve been told by multiple doctors that this operation is her best hope for treating her trigeminal neuralgia, and that others who have come before her with similar situations have had great success with it. This would be a huge step forward in Bethany’s Lyme treatment and truly raise her quality of life!
Thank you all for taking the time to read our story, and for even considering helping us with this surgery. We appreciate you!
Organizer
Kyle Robidoux
Organizer
Keene, NH
