Denise - A Journey to Healing
Donation protected
The family and friends of Denise Rugg are reaching out for your support of our much loved daughter, sister, godmother, aunt, and a dear friend. Anyone who knows Denise will tell you that she is a fighter, and that she fights with both grace and positivity. They will also tell you that she is not one to ask for help but will always be the first one to offer! Denise has battled a lifelong fight with degenerative disc disease, for which she has had numerous spinal surgeries, as well as osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, neuropathy, and autoimmunity. Since 2016 she has experienced multiple transient ischemic attacks (TIAs) and six hospitalizations. In July of 2018 she was diagnosed with Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS), which is a rare and debilitating condition.
POTS is a form of dysautonomia, affecting the autonomic nervous system which regulates blood pressure, internal temperature, heart rate, breathing patterns, digestion, etc. Due to POTS, Denise’s body is unable to communicate properly to balance out her blood pressure and heart rate, leading to blackouts upon standing, weakness, confusion, trouble sleeping, daily migraines, and frequent TIA’s, which are ministrokes she experiences due to lack of blood being pumped to her brain and cause paralysis from the neck down. To add fuel to the fire, one of the treatments for when she has an acute attack are corticosteroids, which can exacerbate her POTS symptoms.
Despite all this, Denise has continued to work with passion in her field as an Early Childhood Education Consultant, Therapeutic Companion for children with special needs, and part-time Professor. She continues to prioritize her family and friends, and pushes forward even when it feels like she can’t. Denise has also prioritized her health by losing 160 pounds, doing physical therapy multiple times a week, eating well, religiously taking her medications and supplements, going to counseling weekly, receiving 2 hour IV infusions twice a week, and walking 4 miles everyday. Despite doing everything right, her condition continues to progress and that is a source of frustration for Denise, her medical team, and her loved ones. Fortunately, Denise discovered the POTS Treatment Center located in Dallas, TX. The center offers a 2 week accelerated out-of-town program that is, unfortunately, not covered by her health insurance company.
About the program:
The clinic was founded by Dr. Mary Kyprianou, who has dedicated her career to helping individuals with dysautonomia. She has 12 years of extensive experience with POTS and her interdisciplinary team includes a Medical Doctor, Clinical Psychologist and Registered Dietician. Dr. Kyprianou’s team will work closely with Denise’s current medical team: Cardiologist, Neurologist, Rheumatologist, Physical Therapist, and IV Infusion Therapist during treatment.
Denise will go in for treatment every week day of the 2 week accelerated program for 3-5 hours. Treatments include biofeedback, heart rate regulation, nutrition and supplements, stress management, sleep support and recommendations, exercise protocol, counseling, and she is able to continue her doctor prescribed medications during treatment. After the 2 week period, Denise will return home and continue with at home treatments using portable equipment, as well as continued clinical team monitoring, for an additional 2 months. While at home, she will have access to her interdisciplinary treatment team should she have questions. The goal of the POTS Treatment Center program is to retrain the autonomic nervous system to regulate itself and educate the patient on techniques to help address symptoms through an individually tailored treatment protocol. Our monetary goal will cover 2 weeks of intensive treatment, hotel accommodations, airfare, equipment, 2 months of at home treatment, and loss of 2 weeks of income (Denise is self-employed so she has no paid time off - PTO). Since the program is not covered by her insurance, and she already has medical bills, missing work for 2 weeks will be an added burden for Denise.
Denise is looking forward to posting updates of her progress with the program and is really hopeful that this program will improve her quality of life. Given her determination we know Denise will find success and we are so excited for her to embark on this life changing endeavor. Please, join us in rallying behind Denise and supporting her determined fight for an improved quality of life.
Please feel free to share this fundraiser far and wide!
Thank you!!
The Family and Friends of Denise
POTS is a form of dysautonomia, affecting the autonomic nervous system which regulates blood pressure, internal temperature, heart rate, breathing patterns, digestion, etc. Due to POTS, Denise’s body is unable to communicate properly to balance out her blood pressure and heart rate, leading to blackouts upon standing, weakness, confusion, trouble sleeping, daily migraines, and frequent TIA’s, which are ministrokes she experiences due to lack of blood being pumped to her brain and cause paralysis from the neck down. To add fuel to the fire, one of the treatments for when she has an acute attack are corticosteroids, which can exacerbate her POTS symptoms.
Despite all this, Denise has continued to work with passion in her field as an Early Childhood Education Consultant, Therapeutic Companion for children with special needs, and part-time Professor. She continues to prioritize her family and friends, and pushes forward even when it feels like she can’t. Denise has also prioritized her health by losing 160 pounds, doing physical therapy multiple times a week, eating well, religiously taking her medications and supplements, going to counseling weekly, receiving 2 hour IV infusions twice a week, and walking 4 miles everyday. Despite doing everything right, her condition continues to progress and that is a source of frustration for Denise, her medical team, and her loved ones. Fortunately, Denise discovered the POTS Treatment Center located in Dallas, TX. The center offers a 2 week accelerated out-of-town program that is, unfortunately, not covered by her health insurance company.
About the program:
The clinic was founded by Dr. Mary Kyprianou, who has dedicated her career to helping individuals with dysautonomia. She has 12 years of extensive experience with POTS and her interdisciplinary team includes a Medical Doctor, Clinical Psychologist and Registered Dietician. Dr. Kyprianou’s team will work closely with Denise’s current medical team: Cardiologist, Neurologist, Rheumatologist, Physical Therapist, and IV Infusion Therapist during treatment.
Denise will go in for treatment every week day of the 2 week accelerated program for 3-5 hours. Treatments include biofeedback, heart rate regulation, nutrition and supplements, stress management, sleep support and recommendations, exercise protocol, counseling, and she is able to continue her doctor prescribed medications during treatment. After the 2 week period, Denise will return home and continue with at home treatments using portable equipment, as well as continued clinical team monitoring, for an additional 2 months. While at home, she will have access to her interdisciplinary treatment team should she have questions. The goal of the POTS Treatment Center program is to retrain the autonomic nervous system to regulate itself and educate the patient on techniques to help address symptoms through an individually tailored treatment protocol. Our monetary goal will cover 2 weeks of intensive treatment, hotel accommodations, airfare, equipment, 2 months of at home treatment, and loss of 2 weeks of income (Denise is self-employed so she has no paid time off - PTO). Since the program is not covered by her insurance, and she already has medical bills, missing work for 2 weeks will be an added burden for Denise.
Denise is looking forward to posting updates of her progress with the program and is really hopeful that this program will improve her quality of life. Given her determination we know Denise will find success and we are so excited for her to embark on this life changing endeavor. Please, join us in rallying behind Denise and supporting her determined fight for an improved quality of life.
Please feel free to share this fundraiser far and wide!
Thank you!!
The Family and Friends of Denise
Organizer
Alok Devkota
Organizer
Pasadena, CA