Help Doug get Medical Treatment for Lyme Disease

Hello friends, family and supporters!

My name is Sharon, and I am fundraising for my son Doug, as he is unable to do this himself.

It’s with a heavy but hopeful heart that I am reaching out to you today, to share my son’s battle with Lyme disease and to ask for your help.

Doug’s journey with health difficulties started about twelve years ago when Doug was 26 years old. He had just finished college and was in a happy 3-year relationship and was looking forward to starting a family. Sadly, all his plans as well as his relationship came to an end after Doug got sick.

It started with a sore throat and a lot of pain in his jaw, head and wrists. He saw his doctor, continued to work, but it got worse. He was sent for x-rays, MRI’s and numerous other tests however the results were inconclusive, indicating the presence of some sort of infection and inflammation. No one seemed to have a diagnosis and were baffled time and time again. It increasingly got worse and after a couple of months, Doug lost the ability to work, eat solid food and to speak much. Doug is now 38 years old and has been living like this for the past 12 years.

Click on this link to watch Doug's video.

Doug has seen numerous specialists, including but not limited to a Rheumatologist, Neurologist, Internist, Naturopath, TMJ specialist, Lung specialist, GI specialist, Pain specialist and a Lyme disease specialist. He has gone through painful tests, treatments and surgeries which just aggravated his condition even more. As well he was prescribed many different types of medications and painkillers which made him even sicker. After years of jumping from doctor to doctor everyone’s best guess was an autoimmune disease that affects the nerves.

It was horrifying watching my son on a roller coaster ride. His emotions were up and down. He wanted to get off but couldn’t, he was determined to keep trying. I have been on that ride with him and believe me it has been an emotional nightmare for any parent.

Two years ago, we finally began to feel hopeful again, after he was diagnosed with Lyme disease. He started treatment, with medications under the care of a Lyme disease specialist, however after a couple of days he had a severe reaction and had to stop the medications. The doctor tried different medications and treatments over the next few months, but it only made him worse. Doug would get lightheaded, feel hot and his body would feel very heavy. At that point the specialist was confused as she couldn’t understand why his body wouldn’t process medications or supplements.

Doug has also endured numerous emergency room visits for physical pain and depression. His disease just keeps getting worse. The pain has spread throughout his body, and he is suffering from dizziness, trouble breathing, difficulty swallowing and eating, loss of taste, ability to speak much, abdomen pain and extreme fatigue. Today, Doug can only sit in a chair all day in excruciating pain. He can’t go out much and is on a soft food diet. I can see my son is losing his will to live and keep fighting his battle.

I have already spent thousands of dollars on tests and treatments that were not covered by insurance, with the hope that we would eventually find a doctor who could diagnose and treat him.

As a mother who only wants her son to get better, I felt helpless and watched in horror, as my son was fading away right in front of my own eyes. It breaks my heart to see my son suffering. As parents we all just want our children to be successful, to have a voice, to find love and pursue their dreams. At this point, I would just be content for my son to “live” and be free from chronic pain and depression.

Recently, I found the Bruce Hoffman Clinic in Calgary, Alberta, who have great credentials and could treat Doug’s condition. After an extensive consultation with Dr. Hoffman, Doug was diagnosed with MCAS (mast cell activation syndrome) which means his immune system has been overactive for so long that he has developed allergies to numerous foods, supplements and medications. Doug also has Lyme disease and has a long road to recovery. Dr. Hoffman needs to treat the MCAS first, so that he can treat Doug for the Lyme disease. Others with similar diagnosis have had much success under Dr. Hoffman’s care and treatment.

The good news is Dr. Hoffman said he could treat Doug, but he would have to move to Calgary. He would have to be in the clinic five days a week to receive daily IV treatments, specialized testing and treatments and medications. He would have to spend 6 months to a year living close to their clinic in Calgary.

Unfortunately, these treatments are not cheap and ironically even though we live in Canada, and the doctor lives in Canada, it’s not covered by insurance.

So, I am reaching out wholeheartedly, asking for your help with raising this money needed to heal our son.

The cost will run around $100,000 and all donations will go directly to Doug’s medical costs. Doug’s only source of income is from AISH (Alberta Income for the Severely Handicapped) but it barely covers the cost of living. Unfortunately, my husband and I have exhausted all our financial means and savings.

It breaks my heart to think that Doug might die a preventable death because we cannot afford the treatment.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read this. If you can donate and/or share, we are forever grateful to you. We are thankful for prayers and support which gives Doug a newfound hope in this dark world of pain that he has been trapped in for so long.

God Bless You All!!!