A Fight for Karly's Life

Hi!

It's me, Karly. I am literally in a fight for my life and I need your help. It feels strange and vulnerable for me to ask for help, because for the past many years, I’ve been the one serving others. Writing and creating for patient populations in need were my passions; there was a time I couldn’t imagine doing anything else. I loved the challenge of the professional work I’ve done for 15 years, and the excitement and fun of working with incredible people—many of whom have become friends. Professionally, I was very happy and successful. What I never could have imagined, however, is that I would become one of the patients in need.

In my personal life, caring for my two young children is my love and my joy. Watching Santi grow into a thriving kindergartener, and giving birth to baby Nico this year have been the joys of my life. Before I got sick, we used to travel (especially to Spain where my husband’s family is), bike, or even just go to the park as a family. (It's the simple things like the park that I miss the most.) Even in my pregnancy with Nico, I was doing yoga and pilates and traipsing around NYC, taking Santi to the Macy’s parade.

But all of this changed, from one day to another, this past Spring. Shortly after Nico was born, I became suddenly and severely ill—sicker than I had ever imagined feeling in my life. My legs stopped working, I had severe weakness and pain in my arms and hands, and I could not support the weight of my own body. I could only sit up for a few minutes, much less stand up. I was constantly on the verge of losing consciousness, could not hold a thought in my head (a tragedy for a writer), and I could not make it from the bedroom to the bathroom on my own in our very small apartment. I genuinely felt my time on earth was coming to an end, and we discussed getting papers in order.

Today, I use a wheelchair, cane, or crutches to get around. A shock to the body and mind for a previously 3-times-a-week yogi who used to run around the city.

For many months, doctors could not figure out what was wrong. My poor kids, Nico only a newborn at the time, watched me getting sicker and sicker, but no one could tell me why.

In May of this year, I found a brilliant, compassionate doctor who finally cracked the code.

Diagnosis: Late Stage Disseminated Neuroborreliosis.

Also known as Lyme disease. I had a CDC-positive Western Blot test confirming that I have Lyme and Bartonella infections.

You can learn more about the stages of Lyme disease here.

But before you think that healing from Lyme Disease is as straightforward as taking an antibiotic for a few weeks, think again. There are many reasons why Lyme Disease is so hard to diagnose, and there are even more reasons why it is so hard to treat. You can learn more about symptoms here.

By the time I finally got my diagnosis in May 2022, I was really, really sick—bedridden and housebound. I worked as long as I could after my maternity leave, continuing to push through debilitating weakness, blackouts, even an inability to type because of the weakness in my hands. Again—unthinkable for a writer.

I am so grateful for having a proper diagnosis, because I have been able to start the beginning of proper Lyme treatment. However, treatment for late-stage Lyme is not covered by insurance. AT ALL. Here's why.

I have been able to raise a little bit of money to cover the beginning of costs, but between my current inability to work, and the expenses of having two small children, my family is currently in a state of financial hardship due to my illness.

All I want is to get well. To go back to work, to my job, which I love! And to be well enough to feel that I can be with my children safely without passing out, falling, or something even worse.

Any and all funds donated here will go directly into my treatment for Lyme disease. If you are unable to donate at this time, please help my family by sharing this fundraiser on your social media.

Today, I continue to be about 90% housebound. This will not be a fast recovery. Healing from tick-borne illness takes time, resources, and support. I cannot wait to get better, with your help, and get my life back.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart,

Karly