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Hi my name is Jordan Church and I am from Stettler, Alberta, Canada and I have recently turned 18 . These last 2 years have been more difficult then I could have ever imagined, I thank you for taking the time to read my story.
Nearing the end of my grade ten year, in 2014, my life began to change. I was taken to the doctor for curled toes on my left foot. The doctor told me that it was going to be a long journey. Little did I know at the time how accurate that would prove to be. I left my appointment undiagnosed.
By mid summer that same year, my arm and leg on my left side were affected as well. I could no longer bend my knee, straighten my arm or open my hand efficiently. This brought on more factors to be self-conscious about. Searching for answers, my parents took their scared and frustrated daughter to a pediatrician in Edmonton. A pediatric neurologist was called in. He told us that it was just stress and it was all in my head. He made me feel like I was just crazy but I knew better. As I would find out, there was something seriously wrong. I wasn’t crazy but the doctor had one thing right - it actually was “all in my head.”
Eventually, I got an appointment with an adult neurologist. Working with my pediatric neurologist, the two doctors got me admitted into the Stollery Children's Hospital for further testing. After being there for a week, I was discharged with the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. We thought my problems were finally solved, except nothing was definite. The doctors sent me home with a high dosage of steroids, which altered my entire personality; extreme mood swings, anxiety attacks, and loss of appetite. I lost ten pounds, going from 95 to 85 pounds. The second and third week-long stays gave me the same disappointing result. I had been absent for two full months of school before my third hospital admission.
In between my hospital visits, my parents took me to see a doctor of Chinese medicine in Calgary. This doctor gave us the unofficial diagnosis of Lyme disease. Many emotions flooded my body; relief, fear, and anger. I was clueless about what Lyme disease was, what would happen to me? Would people think it was disgusting and avoid me at all costs?
Before I was affected by this disease, I was fit and active. I started dancing at the age of two. I spent hours hiking and spending time outdoors. Now I can barely go up and down stairs, let alone step out the front door without assistance. I have weekly physical therapy sessions to get me back doing what I love, yet every day is a struggle knowing all of the activities that I once participated in are not an option at this time. I have days where I have thoughts about giving up, that I can't do this anymore, that I cant live like this, but by giving up I am also throwing away my chances of ever becoming the girl I knew and loved.
In my 12th grade year, my family got in touch with a naturopath in Calgary. I couldn't attend a full day at school in the first semester – until we met with the naturopath, whom, alongside my doctor of Chinese medicine, gave me supplements to manage my chronic fatigue. The supplements gave me the burst of energy that I needed to complete a full day of classes by the final semester of high school. After the rough two years of dystonia (abnormal muscle tone and muscle spasms), in the left side of my body, I received my high school diploma. I honestly don’t know what I would do without my family and friends’ strength and support.
We've researched the Baja MedGate, a medical centre in Mexico, and feel like this is our only option in order to get treatment for my neurological damage. My doctor of Chinese medicine and my naturopath have weekly conference calls with the doctors at Baja MedGate in Mexico to discuss my treatments. I am currently receiving IV treatments once a week in Calgary, all of which is in preparation for me to go to Mexico for further medical treatments – one being stem cell therapy. We plan to travel to Mexico for treatment in February 2017.
A long battle of financial, emotional, and physical challenge is still ahead of us. I am appreciative of all of the support I receive. Thank you!
Nearing the end of my grade ten year, in 2014, my life began to change. I was taken to the doctor for curled toes on my left foot. The doctor told me that it was going to be a long journey. Little did I know at the time how accurate that would prove to be. I left my appointment undiagnosed.
By mid summer that same year, my arm and leg on my left side were affected as well. I could no longer bend my knee, straighten my arm or open my hand efficiently. This brought on more factors to be self-conscious about. Searching for answers, my parents took their scared and frustrated daughter to a pediatrician in Edmonton. A pediatric neurologist was called in. He told us that it was just stress and it was all in my head. He made me feel like I was just crazy but I knew better. As I would find out, there was something seriously wrong. I wasn’t crazy but the doctor had one thing right - it actually was “all in my head.”
Eventually, I got an appointment with an adult neurologist. Working with my pediatric neurologist, the two doctors got me admitted into the Stollery Children's Hospital for further testing. After being there for a week, I was discharged with the diagnosis of an autoimmune disease. We thought my problems were finally solved, except nothing was definite. The doctors sent me home with a high dosage of steroids, which altered my entire personality; extreme mood swings, anxiety attacks, and loss of appetite. I lost ten pounds, going from 95 to 85 pounds. The second and third week-long stays gave me the same disappointing result. I had been absent for two full months of school before my third hospital admission.
In between my hospital visits, my parents took me to see a doctor of Chinese medicine in Calgary. This doctor gave us the unofficial diagnosis of Lyme disease. Many emotions flooded my body; relief, fear, and anger. I was clueless about what Lyme disease was, what would happen to me? Would people think it was disgusting and avoid me at all costs?
Before I was affected by this disease, I was fit and active. I started dancing at the age of two. I spent hours hiking and spending time outdoors. Now I can barely go up and down stairs, let alone step out the front door without assistance. I have weekly physical therapy sessions to get me back doing what I love, yet every day is a struggle knowing all of the activities that I once participated in are not an option at this time. I have days where I have thoughts about giving up, that I can't do this anymore, that I cant live like this, but by giving up I am also throwing away my chances of ever becoming the girl I knew and loved.
In my 12th grade year, my family got in touch with a naturopath in Calgary. I couldn't attend a full day at school in the first semester – until we met with the naturopath, whom, alongside my doctor of Chinese medicine, gave me supplements to manage my chronic fatigue. The supplements gave me the burst of energy that I needed to complete a full day of classes by the final semester of high school. After the rough two years of dystonia (abnormal muscle tone and muscle spasms), in the left side of my body, I received my high school diploma. I honestly don’t know what I would do without my family and friends’ strength and support.
We've researched the Baja MedGate, a medical centre in Mexico, and feel like this is our only option in order to get treatment for my neurological damage. My doctor of Chinese medicine and my naturopath have weekly conference calls with the doctors at Baja MedGate in Mexico to discuss my treatments. I am currently receiving IV treatments once a week in Calgary, all of which is in preparation for me to go to Mexico for further medical treatments – one being stem cell therapy. We plan to travel to Mexico for treatment in February 2017.
A long battle of financial, emotional, and physical challenge is still ahead of us. I am appreciative of all of the support I receive. Thank you!