In 2020, like most people, I began feeling the stress and fears of Covid. With a husband who is a first responder and two young boys who have their own health challenges, I felt the anxiety and fear take over.  Little did I know that it was so intense because of a recent medication change for my congenital hypothyroidism. I’m extremely sensitive to fillers and dyes in medication and over time as it was building up in my system it increased my hormones too much and caused anxiety and panic that lasted for days.  I can’t even list all of the symptoms I had, but I was fearful of losing my life for several months.  My husband would have to call out if work or my mom would come to help with my kids when he did get to go to work.  This was not me at all!  I was the mom who managed the house, a full time job, bills, trips, being a team mom, doctor’s appointments and grocery shopping, but that all stopped when the symptoms started.  At the beginning of October I had to go on medical leave because I just could not function and I stopped going to t-ball games.  I couldn’t do anything that was me like painting and decorating my house or even watch TV and listen to music.  I was not the mom I know God created me to be, and I was scared. 

After countless doctors appointments and ER visits I finally found a doctor who listened to the symptoms I was having and changed my medication to a hypoallergenic capsule.  A lot of the symptoms subsided, but the sickness left me so weak that I can barely make it half a day without landing on the couch.  My husband is once again having to miss work because it’s just too much for me.  Through the illness I have lost too much weight due to loss of appetite, and I am on a diet to eliminate all food allergies and sensitivities, but it just isn’t helping with the lingering symptoms.  Each day I have ups and downs that do not make sense, and I have severe adverse reactions to medication that I have been prescribed to help with the symptoms.  BUT God has gotten me this far and I know he isn’t done with me yet. 

As much as it tears me apart to be away from my kids and husband, I have found a facility in Florida that is faith based and has amazing doctors to help me get through this incredibly difficult time.  I know God is calling me to go.  There have been many nights and days of searching for answers and I have felt completely hopeless at times.  My family needs me, my boys need me and I pray that God will restore my physical, mental and spiritual health through this facility.  It isn’t inexpensive by any means, but it is worth it to us so that I can once again be the mom that God created me to be.  

First, I am asking for prayers for my strength and for God to continue healing me and that I will get complete restoration with the help of this facility.  Second, if God calls you to do so, I would greatly appreciate any donation toward the cost for me to go.  I never dreamed I would be in this position, but I know there is purpose in the pain and that God is someday going to use my story to help someone else.