Meet my friend Amanda; she has been battling severe symptoms from late-stage Lyme Disease for 2+ years. She is a single mom of 2 kids under 12 and has come near death twice due to Lyme. The disease has invaded her nervous system, liver, spinal cord, lymph and brain. Her medical treatments allow her to manage her pain just enough to halfway resume her everyday life. However, the treatments and medication are costly. Amanda’s meds cost over $1000 a month.

Without her meds could mean death for her. She cannot work, so this campaign exists to help her pay for her medical treatments and medication to get her through this rough time, hoping she will make a full recovery. She and I have known each other since our kids were in kindergarten. She has been a dear friend to me for the past 6 years. She has watched my kids, ran a licensed in-home daycare and taught my daughter piano for years. She is incredibly gifted and has a huge heart for serving others. Together, we invite you to be a part of Amanda’s recovery. Please join me in sharing with others about Amanda’s journey, and please contribute if you are able.

 

 

 

 

 

Lyme caught early is very different from late bio-film Lyme conditions. Biofilm means that the Lyme is now attached to the nerve system, brain, and spinal cord. It also comes with multiple and complex bacteria, viruses, mold, and parasites, which makes the care very complicated. Medical nutrition is expensive. This type of nutrition plus the specially compounded pharmaceuticals cost on average $1,500 a month, which is not covered by insurance. Certain compounded drugs are necessary as Amanda cannot handle additives or fillers present in generic medications. Coming back from the edge of death has been a long process, and we celebrate even the most minor victories.

 

 

On February 10, 2020, she was home alone with her two children as her mom and brother were away for business. That week she did everything from cooking to cleaning, homework, volunteering at school, etc. By Thursday, she could no longer move her body to get out of bed. Both children were terrified. Finally, her family doctor found Lyme by testing for Lyme’s cofactors. This diagnosis came one day before our first covid lock-down and canceling all appointments for 2 months. During this time, Amanda came close to death twice with the ER not providing care. Since this traumatic event, she has found an excellent doctor that has brought her back to life and has her on a path toward recovery.

 

If you are unfamiliar with Lyme, here is a glimpse into a few symptoms Amanda has experienced. Her limbs may randomly freeze up on a bad day and make walking unstable. When nerves are on fire, all senses heighten and to be touched is painful. She used to get hives on any body part exposed to cold. Her symptoms are: vomiting, inability to eat, bloating and pain when moving; she cannot get out of bed and experiences complete shaking throughout the whole nervous system. Her heart palpitations cause her to hold her heart. She feels anxious, unable to connect thoughts, and angry. She might fall asleep at weird times, so she must always maintain strict consciousness or risk getting hurt. Bad days happen when Amanda does not eat right away when hungry, eats something that doesn’t work for her, overexerts herself, or forgets any medication (which are all complicated).

 

On a good day, she can get up and drive to her friend's house, teach a piano lesson, take her dog out, bake in the kitchen, and make candles with her sister-in-law. She can do these everyday things a little at a time because her medication is helping her and these very things are vital to maintaining hope in this struggle.

 

We appreciate your interest in Amanda's story if you've read this far. If you are experiencing Lyme symptoms, battling the disease, have a loved one, or have lost someone because of Lyme, feel free to contact Amanda with questions, support, or discover what has been helpful to her thus far. If you wish to provide financial help to Amanda, even the smallest amount would be greatly appreciated.