Dawn's journey to find an answer
Donation protected
Hi. For those of you who don’t know me…My name is Dawn, I am 34, from CT, a former teacher and house cleaner, an un-married Mom of an AMAZING 11-year-old daughter who, has initiated this GoFundMe idea, followed by other people doing so. For those of you who know my story…feel free to skip the next paragraph. For those of you who don’t…please read below.
In the past 10 months, I have been to 14 specialists, and 6 ER visits - all of which have either told me I’m fine, or handed me the ‘crazy card’ with a bottle of meds - 22 to be exact. I refused to listen, I knew my body, and I knew something wasn’t right. The one Doctor who believed me through all of this, said, “And by the way… I don’t think you’re crazy - I think you are very strong for going through what you are going through, and from your labs...it is obvious there is something going on, so don’t give up until you find the right doctor.” That meant so much to me, and encouraged me.
After around 50 doctor visits, 19 lab draws, 4 procedures both in-patient and outpatient, 17 scans, 3 misdiagnosed illnesses with short life expectancies, $9,900 out-of-pocket, many sleepless nights, many tears, many arguments with doctors themselves. I have been on a wild rat race down a rabbit hole - each day that I’m not in a doctor’s office…I’m driving around collecting labs, breaking down each little piece, researching from sun-up to sundown – it has turned into a full-time job. After some extensive research…I found a wellness doctor that gave me a consultation. Last week, I delivered a 72-page stack for her, with every lab, scan, and every mystery issue with each and every organ and body part - expecting her to dismiss me like the rest have. She walked in, introduced herself, told me she spent her Sunday night reviewing those 72 pages, and presented to me that she sees what I see, and more – infections of some sort, overgrowth, toxins, and much more. This right here was relief, in a way, and hope to keep fighting. The great thing is…I finally found a doctor who has the knowledge and compassion which I need, and she has created a plan for us to hopefully find answers. The bad thing is…that from the previous medical care I have been getting…it has so far cost me an estimated uninsured $9,900 out-of-pocket, with $2,100 still outstanding, and so much more to come I am sure. To some this may be little, but to me it's so much. I used to work in Education, however, while being unable to work from all of this, I am out of money for further testing, diagnosis, and treatment. I don’t have family who can help me, which is why I am here. This plan alone, aside from the actual visit costs, with the new doctor, and other future doctors…just won’t be possible without help. I started working at the place of my dreams with a job offer in February 2019, but then my health took a plummet in February of 2019, keeping me out of work, and continues to plummet as I search for answers. Doing this go-fund-me has required me to swallow lots of pride, embarrassment, and more. My daughter told me, “I know how you feel, but those who are your friend, and know you, and know your story, will not think you are a bum begging for money.” So here I am. It’s rare if one day goes by where I am not crying at my quality of life. I am scared. I am terrified, beyond one’s imagination. Not only from how much pointless radiation I have been exposed to, not only from how I have lost 25 pounds without trying - without explanation, not only because I feel and see myself deteriorating each day, not only because some days I have to wait until someone is here to take a shower because I am so dizzy.
I am mostly scared for my daughter. She is my absolute best friend, she is my #1 fan, she is my world. She cooks for me when I’m too weak, she makes me cards for me on days I am stressed, she rubs my back when I breakdown and cry uncontrollably, she carries grocery bags so that I can, “Save energy”, she feeds me words of hope when I am hopeless, she makes me smile when I am frustrated, she holds my hand when I am scared at the doctor’s office. She does everything to me, that I should be doing for her. I can’t even go for a bike ride with her anymore, because it makes me out of breath. I can’t be active with her anymore and play, because I am always fatigued/dizzy/out of breath - and we used to LOVE going on runs together. She just lost her other best friend, from cancer, my Mom. I don’t want her to hurt like that again. Not any time in the near future. We have been to hell and back together, many times, and we need a great big blessing in the health field.
Here is what the new doctor is suggesting:
MDL Labs – To test and measure viruses and bacteria – for both Lyme, tick, and mold. $225
CD57 – To check for a co-infection marker of terminally differentiated cells; to evaluate and follow patients diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. $50
Marcons and Mold Nasal Swab – Diagnoses a major complication of Chronic Inflammatory Response System in mold illness – a type of sinus infection known as Marcons; stands for: Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci. Marcons is a type of staph bacteria that produces a biofilm, making it difficult to eradicate. $239
Biotox Binder - Promotes detoxification by trapping toxins and moving them out of the body. through the digestive tract. $75
Total IGG and subclasses - To check for what is causing inflammations and delayed reactions in both my esophagus and gut, as well as check for what immunizations as a child I never received. $240
Neuro. package - includes an array of neurological autoantibodies, which offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition, and is expanded test to detect 48 of the most common autoantibodies associated with neurological autoimmunity and cognitive decline, which I am experiencing. $600.00.
Labs (3) – $355
Hormones levels - To check for 8 hormonal imbalances related to my symptoms.
Thyroid levels - To check for thyroid imbalances related to my symptoms.
Prolactin levels - To check for tumors related to my symptoms.
Brain MRI, with contrast - (IF, prolactin levels are off – which SHOULDN’T be) – To check for pituitary tumors. $?
Swallowing Study with Barium – To check for why food is not going down properly. $?
Complement 3A and 4A – To measure immunity. $40
For the diagnostic labs, this totals 1,749.00 not including the brain MRI, and not including the X-ray barium swallow (IF either are needed).
If anyone has read this all of the way through…I appreciate you, because most people and doctors would have stopped minutes ago – so thank you, from the bottom of my soul. I don’t know exactly how much I will need, because if there are any diagnoses, followed by treatment (supplements, therapies, procedures, etc.) those will be extra costs. If I am still a mystery afterwards, and referred out to the Mayo Clinic like some have suggested…then I guess I’ll cross that path when I get there. I don’t have money right now to re-pay, but I sure do have a great big grateful heart and an old soul to send a thank you card and keep you updated. Thank you for reading, and thank you, if anyone is able to help me get answers and treatment.
Dawn Lamoureux
In the past 10 months, I have been to 14 specialists, and 6 ER visits - all of which have either told me I’m fine, or handed me the ‘crazy card’ with a bottle of meds - 22 to be exact. I refused to listen, I knew my body, and I knew something wasn’t right. The one Doctor who believed me through all of this, said, “And by the way… I don’t think you’re crazy - I think you are very strong for going through what you are going through, and from your labs...it is obvious there is something going on, so don’t give up until you find the right doctor.” That meant so much to me, and encouraged me.
After around 50 doctor visits, 19 lab draws, 4 procedures both in-patient and outpatient, 17 scans, 3 misdiagnosed illnesses with short life expectancies, $9,900 out-of-pocket, many sleepless nights, many tears, many arguments with doctors themselves. I have been on a wild rat race down a rabbit hole - each day that I’m not in a doctor’s office…I’m driving around collecting labs, breaking down each little piece, researching from sun-up to sundown – it has turned into a full-time job. After some extensive research…I found a wellness doctor that gave me a consultation. Last week, I delivered a 72-page stack for her, with every lab, scan, and every mystery issue with each and every organ and body part - expecting her to dismiss me like the rest have. She walked in, introduced herself, told me she spent her Sunday night reviewing those 72 pages, and presented to me that she sees what I see, and more – infections of some sort, overgrowth, toxins, and much more. This right here was relief, in a way, and hope to keep fighting. The great thing is…I finally found a doctor who has the knowledge and compassion which I need, and she has created a plan for us to hopefully find answers. The bad thing is…that from the previous medical care I have been getting…it has so far cost me an estimated uninsured $9,900 out-of-pocket, with $2,100 still outstanding, and so much more to come I am sure. To some this may be little, but to me it's so much. I used to work in Education, however, while being unable to work from all of this, I am out of money for further testing, diagnosis, and treatment. I don’t have family who can help me, which is why I am here. This plan alone, aside from the actual visit costs, with the new doctor, and other future doctors…just won’t be possible without help. I started working at the place of my dreams with a job offer in February 2019, but then my health took a plummet in February of 2019, keeping me out of work, and continues to plummet as I search for answers. Doing this go-fund-me has required me to swallow lots of pride, embarrassment, and more. My daughter told me, “I know how you feel, but those who are your friend, and know you, and know your story, will not think you are a bum begging for money.” So here I am. It’s rare if one day goes by where I am not crying at my quality of life. I am scared. I am terrified, beyond one’s imagination. Not only from how much pointless radiation I have been exposed to, not only from how I have lost 25 pounds without trying - without explanation, not only because I feel and see myself deteriorating each day, not only because some days I have to wait until someone is here to take a shower because I am so dizzy.
I am mostly scared for my daughter. She is my absolute best friend, she is my #1 fan, she is my world. She cooks for me when I’m too weak, she makes me cards for me on days I am stressed, she rubs my back when I breakdown and cry uncontrollably, she carries grocery bags so that I can, “Save energy”, she feeds me words of hope when I am hopeless, she makes me smile when I am frustrated, she holds my hand when I am scared at the doctor’s office. She does everything to me, that I should be doing for her. I can’t even go for a bike ride with her anymore, because it makes me out of breath. I can’t be active with her anymore and play, because I am always fatigued/dizzy/out of breath - and we used to LOVE going on runs together. She just lost her other best friend, from cancer, my Mom. I don’t want her to hurt like that again. Not any time in the near future. We have been to hell and back together, many times, and we need a great big blessing in the health field.
Here is what the new doctor is suggesting:
MDL Labs – To test and measure viruses and bacteria – for both Lyme, tick, and mold. $225
CD57 – To check for a co-infection marker of terminally differentiated cells; to evaluate and follow patients diagnosed with chronic Lyme disease. $50
Marcons and Mold Nasal Swab – Diagnoses a major complication of Chronic Inflammatory Response System in mold illness – a type of sinus infection known as Marcons; stands for: Multiple Antibiotic Resistant Coagulase Negative Staphylococci. Marcons is a type of staph bacteria that produces a biofilm, making it difficult to eradicate. $239
Biotox Binder - Promotes detoxification by trapping toxins and moving them out of the body. through the digestive tract. $75
Total IGG and subclasses - To check for what is causing inflammations and delayed reactions in both my esophagus and gut, as well as check for what immunizations as a child I never received. $240
Neuro. package - includes an array of neurological autoantibodies, which offers very specific antibody-to-antigen recognition, and is expanded test to detect 48 of the most common autoantibodies associated with neurological autoimmunity and cognitive decline, which I am experiencing. $600.00.
Labs (3) – $355
Hormones levels - To check for 8 hormonal imbalances related to my symptoms.
Thyroid levels - To check for thyroid imbalances related to my symptoms.
Prolactin levels - To check for tumors related to my symptoms.
Brain MRI, with contrast - (IF, prolactin levels are off – which SHOULDN’T be) – To check for pituitary tumors. $?
Swallowing Study with Barium – To check for why food is not going down properly. $?
Complement 3A and 4A – To measure immunity. $40
For the diagnostic labs, this totals 1,749.00 not including the brain MRI, and not including the X-ray barium swallow (IF either are needed).
If anyone has read this all of the way through…I appreciate you, because most people and doctors would have stopped minutes ago – so thank you, from the bottom of my soul. I don’t know exactly how much I will need, because if there are any diagnoses, followed by treatment (supplements, therapies, procedures, etc.) those will be extra costs. If I am still a mystery afterwards, and referred out to the Mayo Clinic like some have suggested…then I guess I’ll cross that path when I get there. I don’t have money right now to re-pay, but I sure do have a great big grateful heart and an old soul to send a thank you card and keep you updated. Thank you for reading, and thank you, if anyone is able to help me get answers and treatment.
Dawn Lamoureux
Organizer and beneficiary
Vinnie Zeitler
Organizer
St. Petersburg, FL
Dawn Lamoureux
Beneficiary
