- B
It is hard to ask for help, at least it is for me. My journey feels like it has been a long one, yet I know I am just beginning. I have been struggling with illness on and off for more than 18 years. This past year has been the hardest and scariest episode of my life. At times, I have temporarily lost the ability to move my body, the ability to see and the ability to speak; making it a struggle to accomplish daily tasks (especially caring for our 6 beautiful children). I have many symptoms that were a mystery to so many doctors. They could see I was very sick, but were unable to help. Through the Grace of God, after all these years, I was lead to a new doctor in Minnesota that was able to finally diagnose my numerous conditions. She did a thorough battery of tests to determine my diagnosis. My mind is still trying to comprehend all that is wrong with my body. I will do my best to explain, yet it is very complex.
To begin, I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease. Since I have had Lyme Disease undiagnosed and untreated in my body for likely over 20 years; the disease has taken over my body and destroyed much. There are three different forms (and associated co-infections) of Lyme; Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia. I have all three strains and very high concentrations of each. In addition to the Lyme Infections, I have four other chronic infections at high levels as well. With 7 infections wreaking havoc for so long, it has caused significant strain on my organs and central nervous system. I have developed many other rare conditions because of the stress my body from the Chronic Lyme. I have a rare condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, a rare Vitamin D deficiency that only affects 1 in 10,000 and they are monitoring me closely for Hemochromatosis. I also have a rare genetic disorder that is complicating my body's ability to heal, hold onto nutrients and filter out toxins. As a result, I have developed autoimmune conditions. To further complicate all of this, my body has developed a hyper-sensitivity to allergens. When most people encounter an allergen, they get minor symptoms such as a runny nose. In my case, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome kicks in and my body can quickly be fighting to stay alive.
So what does this mean for our family? I am currently living in Florida with our 6 beautiful children. We have now learned that not only was our home in Illinois a source of allergens for me but also the Midwest in general! My body immediately goes into a critical state when I am around an allergen trigger. I am grateful to have found an environment in Florida where my body is currently able to thrive and heal, thus lessening the stress load on my system, Praise God! My husband remains in Illinois, working his job as a firefighter/paramedic, for which we are most grateful! We hope he will be able to fly down to see us on a regular basis, God willing!
My treatment plan is quite extensive. My doctor has advised us to make many changes. She has advised construction projects to our home to make it a safer, allergen-free space for me. She has strongly urged us to get rid of all of our belongings and buy new ones free of allergens (talk about learning the ways of detachment and minimalism) due to my critical condition. I am prescribed many supplements and medications that are not covered by insurance to try and fight my infections and other rare conditions with a price tag of approximately $1000 each month. I will be visiting various specialists to treat and monitor some of my other conditions. I will be seeing a very specialized allergist (who is also not covered under insurance) to try and help my body not reject my environment, but most importantly my treatment.
What do I need from you? Prayer first and foremost! My husband and I both know when God gives you a big burden to carry, He also provides all the more grace to get through. My husband and I have been through a lot together over the years with my health as well as the great needs of our special-needs children. God has always been by our side carrying us over every obstacle and on to the next lesson of life. He is doing the same now, but currently He is asking us to carry a lot. We normally feel up to the challenge, however, this all seems like a big mountain to climb without a community gathered to help us get to the other side. As I parent our special crew from afar, it poses some significant challenges. Our Josiah has had complications as of late with his major heart condition that has added to our load. Caring for our crew's special needs while maintaining my healing journey will require God's Grace, so prayer is appreciated! As I begin treatments, my condition may get worse before I get better. I pray I am able to get better. I pray and ask you to join me in prayer that my body does not become allergic to the treatments and they can be successful. Any way you feel called to help us is a huge blessing! Prayer being the most important to us! A friendly call or text to check in means alot to both of us.
Lastly, if you feel called to support us financially we are truly humbled. We have had friends ask us to generate a means of giving, so we created this page. All gifts are appreciated, time, talent or treasure. My doctor, who is treating my Lyme Condition, is not covered under insurance because she is so specialized and uses cutting-edge methods which are not covered. Most of my medications and supplements (costing approximately $1000 every month) are not covered under insurance, as well as many other expenses that are pilling up due to my extensive treatment plan. But mostly, I share all this with you to share my story. I know I am not alone. I know I am loved by my God, a devoted husband, my children, an amazing family and network of friends. I have had people ask and message me about my health, about my story. So I wrote this down so you would know. My body may be weak, but I know my God is Strong! If you have taken the time to read all of this, thank you! I am truly blessed! As my treatment plan begins and unfolds, I know my story is just beginning. Thank you for supporting us on this climb over the mountain!
To begin, I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease. Since I have had Lyme Disease undiagnosed and untreated in my body for likely over 20 years; the disease has taken over my body and destroyed much. There are three different forms (and associated co-infections) of Lyme; Borrelia, Bartonella, and Babesia. I have all three strains and very high concentrations of each. In addition to the Lyme Infections, I have four other chronic infections at high levels as well. With 7 infections wreaking havoc for so long, it has caused significant strain on my organs and central nervous system. I have developed many other rare conditions because of the stress my body from the Chronic Lyme. I have a rare condition called Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, a rare Vitamin D deficiency that only affects 1 in 10,000 and they are monitoring me closely for Hemochromatosis. I also have a rare genetic disorder that is complicating my body's ability to heal, hold onto nutrients and filter out toxins. As a result, I have developed autoimmune conditions. To further complicate all of this, my body has developed a hyper-sensitivity to allergens. When most people encounter an allergen, they get minor symptoms such as a runny nose. In my case, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome kicks in and my body can quickly be fighting to stay alive.
So what does this mean for our family? I am currently living in Florida with our 6 beautiful children. We have now learned that not only was our home in Illinois a source of allergens for me but also the Midwest in general! My body immediately goes into a critical state when I am around an allergen trigger. I am grateful to have found an environment in Florida where my body is currently able to thrive and heal, thus lessening the stress load on my system, Praise God! My husband remains in Illinois, working his job as a firefighter/paramedic, for which we are most grateful! We hope he will be able to fly down to see us on a regular basis, God willing!
My treatment plan is quite extensive. My doctor has advised us to make many changes. She has advised construction projects to our home to make it a safer, allergen-free space for me. She has strongly urged us to get rid of all of our belongings and buy new ones free of allergens (talk about learning the ways of detachment and minimalism) due to my critical condition. I am prescribed many supplements and medications that are not covered by insurance to try and fight my infections and other rare conditions with a price tag of approximately $1000 each month. I will be visiting various specialists to treat and monitor some of my other conditions. I will be seeing a very specialized allergist (who is also not covered under insurance) to try and help my body not reject my environment, but most importantly my treatment.
What do I need from you? Prayer first and foremost! My husband and I both know when God gives you a big burden to carry, He also provides all the more grace to get through. My husband and I have been through a lot together over the years with my health as well as the great needs of our special-needs children. God has always been by our side carrying us over every obstacle and on to the next lesson of life. He is doing the same now, but currently He is asking us to carry a lot. We normally feel up to the challenge, however, this all seems like a big mountain to climb without a community gathered to help us get to the other side. As I parent our special crew from afar, it poses some significant challenges. Our Josiah has had complications as of late with his major heart condition that has added to our load. Caring for our crew's special needs while maintaining my healing journey will require God's Grace, so prayer is appreciated! As I begin treatments, my condition may get worse before I get better. I pray I am able to get better. I pray and ask you to join me in prayer that my body does not become allergic to the treatments and they can be successful. Any way you feel called to help us is a huge blessing! Prayer being the most important to us! A friendly call or text to check in means alot to both of us.
Lastly, if you feel called to support us financially we are truly humbled. We have had friends ask us to generate a means of giving, so we created this page. All gifts are appreciated, time, talent or treasure. My doctor, who is treating my Lyme Condition, is not covered under insurance because she is so specialized and uses cutting-edge methods which are not covered. Most of my medications and supplements (costing approximately $1000 every month) are not covered under insurance, as well as many other expenses that are pilling up due to my extensive treatment plan. But mostly, I share all this with you to share my story. I know I am not alone. I know I am loved by my God, a devoted husband, my children, an amazing family and network of friends. I have had people ask and message me about my health, about my story. So I wrote this down so you would know. My body may be weak, but I know my God is Strong! If you have taken the time to read all of this, thank you! I am truly blessed! As my treatment plan begins and unfolds, I know my story is just beginning. Thank you for supporting us on this climb over the mountain!