Help Kristi Fight Lyme Disease!

Hi friends! I have joined the fight against Lyme Disease. My story mirrors many others fighting this chronic illness. I am slowly learning to own it - and share it. I am in year 2 of intensely treating this horrible and dibilitating disease – along with co-infections of Babesia Duncani and Bartonella. These are all tick-borne diseases that have no cure, can cause permanent disability, and mimic a laundry list of illnesses. The doctors believe I have had this for the past 15+ years - had one of them caught it earlier I would not be in this situation! The good news is there is hope for remission with aggressive treatment. My case became frightful four years ago when fluid suddenly developed around my heart. Doctors could not find the cause nor reduce it so they put me on strict bedrest in hopes that it would subside. I challenged each day to live without worry, stress, or any physical movement for fear of making it worse. I was determined to find out what was causing my previously strong and healthy heart to take my breath away - no longer was I able to hold a conversation, walk up a flight of stairs or stand long enough to cook my own meals. In the months following, I slowly began to gain some strength but each time I attempted to live a normal life, my body fought back and the doctor’s still had no answers. It wasn’t until two years later that I was tested for Lyme Disease and it came back positive.

To this day, my heart has not gained its full strength. My muscles often feel like jello causing me to spend many days working from my couch. Pain radiates from inflammed nerves, it feels as if an elephant is sitting on my chest and a year ago my cognitive functions began to slip from me. The disease has made its way into my heart and nervous system, including my brain. So scary!! I am very thankful I have been able to keep my job (which I love!) while taking short-term leave and dedicating long weekends to intense treatment (14 mos. and counting!) I have since gained back most of my cognitive functions (my memory is still patchy and my math skills are severly lacking, and on weekends I sometimes can't find my words) but my body still fights me everyday with pain and exhaustion. I pray for the strength and resources to continue fighting and the disclipline to find joy through this time (I feel my life has been on hold for far too long). I am under the care of one of the top Lyme specialist in the country. She encourages me at each visit and with each new med (& side effect), with grace and kindness. I feel so very blessed and yet so very frustrated at the same time. Some days are very difficult to attempt a normal life, others I begin to feel hopeful and a little bit more like myself.

My body is slowly healing but my financial situation is in dire need of help to continue agreessively treating this illness with the goal of full remission. My doctor predicts it will take another 1-2 years to regain my health. The expense is overwhelming - averaging $1400/month. I would greatly appreciate any financial support gifted and may you be richly blessed in return!

Thank you!

To learn more on lyme disease:

http://www.ilads.org/
http://www.underourskin.com/#home-underourskin
http://vimeo.com/65479794
http://suzycohen.com/project/lyme-disease-bartonella-more-common-than-youd-think/