Intensive Lyme Disease Treatment For Shannon

Hi, I'm Shannon. I'm raising money so I can hopefully receive treatment at the Biologix Center in TN. They are known around the world for their intensive phage treatment to assist with healing from lyme disease.

Dispite what most people might know about lyme disease, late stage LD is very dangerous and can become fatal suddenly. The longer I don't get proper treatment the more chance I have to experience a serious stroke or heart damage that can lead to heart failure. Many have died young and suddenly from lyme disease.

Unfortunately, in the United States late stage lyme disease treatment is not covered by any health insurance. I've been trying my best to balance being sick and working since 2019 but it has been very challenging. Even with a low cost life style, without dependants, I'm only going farther and farther into debt to afford very mediocre care that isn't getting me better. Over the last 3 years my symptoms have ranged from hardly being able to walk to being sick in bed for weeks, months, out of the year. Not able to exercise or participate in life the way I normally would or even need to. This means my quality of life is hard and very lonely. It is not only hard to maintain work but also relationships and to build for the future. I am determined to fight and have spent much of my time in bed not only watching more tv than any human should but research endlessly for treatments I haven't tried all over the world. Also, educate myself about how the lymes bacteria survives and effects three body. Due to this huge monetary barrier to receiving quality treatment I am seeking help to afford a more intensive form of treatment and recieving quality care after to hopefully get back on my feet and into the world.

If you've met me you might be wondering why I don't seem very sick. This is because the very few times I can be in the world I have been resting for days to do that grocery store trip or social outing. Which most days that is the only thing I will be able to do in that day. I have gone to great lengths to adapt to my limitations and going to therapy has helped me learn how to not only vocalized but actualize my needs to have as full of a life as I can regardless of being very ill.

Some of my symptoms include:

- limb (arms and legs) and facial paralysis

- intense and consistent pain

- cognitive issues similar to alzhimers (issues problem solving and forming sentences, memory recal)

- balance and motor function

- blurry ir double vision

- insomnia

- needing 12-14 hours of sleep to be at all functional

- organ malfunction

Currently, I'm taking around 30 supplements and medications every day to maintain a semi functional life. Semi functional meaning being in bed 3-4 out of 7 days a week. The last few years it was much more. I really don't want to get worse again and loose my ability to walk. If I can't raise all the money for the below treatment I will greatly benefit from any help.

4 weeks of treatment at Biologix Center + lodging, food, expenses = $40,000

4 - 6 months of follow up appointments in Oregon including living expenses = $20,000

There is big risk with this type of treatment and it is possible I will have to spend time in the hospital which this gofundme won't cover. I'm hoping that if I can successfully get this treatment that it will go smoothly!

A little bit about me as a person. I am 38 years old and contracted lyme from a tick bite while back packing in Southern Oregon 15 years ago. I am a lover of nature and while I can't backpack or bike die to my current physical limitations, I still get out in it as much as I can. I am very passionate about learning about nature and practicing herbalism, cooking, music and art. I have by a miracle been able to keep tattooing, which if you know my work is all about my love for nature. I love to travel and be a part of the world with people and experiences. I'm passionate about mental health and advocacy.

Thank you for considering donating!

Videos I've made to try and describe my experience.

My journey with isolation

My ups and downs