Holden was diagnosed with PANDAS, which is an autoimmune disorder that directly attacks the brain. After miles of research and phone calls, I found the only physician in Louisiana who treats it. Without treatment, it can cause permanent brain damage; time is essential to being able to reach a remission phase. This disorder can cause Tourette’s, hallucinations, extreme sensory overload, major aggression, regressions in speech and motor function, excessive food restrictions, his sensory receptors trigger pain at a high intensity, light and sound sensitivity, brain swelling, and most of all, self-harm. It’s been a constant battle of overwhelming fear and guilt with every new bruise, tic, or hallucination. He once went without sleep for 48 hours. When he gets sick, the relapse starts all over, and we’re battling 104-105 fevers. The treatment facility does not accept Medicaid, so all costs are out of pocket. Initial testing can be up to $2,000, and if we have to start IV treatments, each one costs $10,000. I just want to help my son. I never thought it would be this hard or this out of reach. His first appointment is in March 2025. I plan on vlogging this journey and helping spread awareness of PANDAS. This has been a complete nightmare for us. My perfect boy just wants to be a kid and be himself again. If our GoFundMe reaches any audience and he does reach remission, I plan to donate anything extra to another PANDAS parent seeking treatment. I never imagined the cost.