Sheila's Journey
Donation protected
My name is Mel Smith and I'm asking for love and support for my dear friend, Sheila Johnson.
Sheila’s journey begin on April 24, 2008 with what started off seemingly as a simple cough has totally changed her life and robbed her of precious living along the way. On the night of April 24th at the Emergency Room the physician initially thought she had whooping cough. After consulting with two more physicians they concluded that it was bronchitis, in which she was given medication for and sent home. After a week of persistent non-stop coughing she went to see her primary doctor and was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. After months of chronic coughing many more symptoms surfaced including chronic allergies to everything but grass, including environmental, food and medication allergies.
She has been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, laryngitis, Pneumonia including a rare form of Pneumonia, Asthma, fungal infections, with the most devastating diagnosis being lung and breast cancer. However, after numerous of tests and procedures, Sheila is still sick. The physicians have concluded that she has severe Allergic Asthma, which is currently being treated with infusions that are giving her minimal relief and only helping her to live with little comfort and many limitations because of the allergies.
My friend had to walk away from her beautiful home and everything in it because of the environmental allergies. Finding a “safe” place to live has added to the many challenges that she faces every day. But, as she has always said she will “give it all up again in a heartbeat, because nothing is more important than her health.”
Sheila has endured over ten years of physicians appointments, treatments, infusions, medical procedures, countless of emergency room visits and hospital admissions with no resolution. So, we’re desperate for answers that will get her back to enjoying the one thing that comes natural for most of us…breathing on her own without assistance and harmful medication.
In December of 2017, at her pulmonologist request she underwent another Bronchoscopy to drain the fluid off her lungs. The lab results from the procedure stated that they could not rule out a mycobacterium infection. However, the physician said the report was good and offered no further help or treatment plan.
At a point in her life when she felt hopeless and in despair, Sheila feels like her prayers were answered when she stumbled upon a local television news report about Phage therapy that was given to a lady in the city right next to her, in Rowlett, Texas. She reached out to the lady and was able to talk to her and hear firsthand on how the treatment through Phage therapy gave her back her life. Phage therapy treats antibiotic resistant infections.
The Phage therapy was once administered in the United States before antibiotics medication was discovered, is currently only available in other countries, one being Tbilisi, Georgia, which the same location Mrs. Swearingen, received her treatment and was cured. Now, our desire is to get Sheila to Tbilisi, as soon as possible for treatment.
Some of you may know Sheila by her smile, but few people know the struggle that she often hides behind the smile. It is her desire and our prayer that she will be well and able to enjoy the simple yet vital part of living...breathing on her own again.
Sheila has lost much and paid a very high cost over the last ten years in her own efforts to gain her health back. Her medical debt is far greater than the goal of that you see today. If you can help us reach our goal of sending her to Tbilisi for treatment it will be greatly appreciated. And if you’re unable to give at this time we totally understand, and ask in return that you will do what she loves doing most…PRAY. She also asked that you will remember to pray for all those that are sick and desiring to be well.
Thanks so much for all your support!
Mel
Sheila’s journey begin on April 24, 2008 with what started off seemingly as a simple cough has totally changed her life and robbed her of precious living along the way. On the night of April 24th at the Emergency Room the physician initially thought she had whooping cough. After consulting with two more physicians they concluded that it was bronchitis, in which she was given medication for and sent home. After a week of persistent non-stop coughing she went to see her primary doctor and was diagnosed with chronic bronchitis. After months of chronic coughing many more symptoms surfaced including chronic allergies to everything but grass, including environmental, food and medication allergies.
She has been diagnosed with chronic sinusitis, laryngitis, Pneumonia including a rare form of Pneumonia, Asthma, fungal infections, with the most devastating diagnosis being lung and breast cancer. However, after numerous of tests and procedures, Sheila is still sick. The physicians have concluded that she has severe Allergic Asthma, which is currently being treated with infusions that are giving her minimal relief and only helping her to live with little comfort and many limitations because of the allergies.
My friend had to walk away from her beautiful home and everything in it because of the environmental allergies. Finding a “safe” place to live has added to the many challenges that she faces every day. But, as she has always said she will “give it all up again in a heartbeat, because nothing is more important than her health.”
Sheila has endured over ten years of physicians appointments, treatments, infusions, medical procedures, countless of emergency room visits and hospital admissions with no resolution. So, we’re desperate for answers that will get her back to enjoying the one thing that comes natural for most of us…breathing on her own without assistance and harmful medication.
In December of 2017, at her pulmonologist request she underwent another Bronchoscopy to drain the fluid off her lungs. The lab results from the procedure stated that they could not rule out a mycobacterium infection. However, the physician said the report was good and offered no further help or treatment plan.
At a point in her life when she felt hopeless and in despair, Sheila feels like her prayers were answered when she stumbled upon a local television news report about Phage therapy that was given to a lady in the city right next to her, in Rowlett, Texas. She reached out to the lady and was able to talk to her and hear firsthand on how the treatment through Phage therapy gave her back her life. Phage therapy treats antibiotic resistant infections.
The Phage therapy was once administered in the United States before antibiotics medication was discovered, is currently only available in other countries, one being Tbilisi, Georgia, which the same location Mrs. Swearingen, received her treatment and was cured. Now, our desire is to get Sheila to Tbilisi, as soon as possible for treatment.
Some of you may know Sheila by her smile, but few people know the struggle that she often hides behind the smile. It is her desire and our prayer that she will be well and able to enjoy the simple yet vital part of living...breathing on her own again.
Sheila has lost much and paid a very high cost over the last ten years in her own efforts to gain her health back. Her medical debt is far greater than the goal of that you see today. If you can help us reach our goal of sending her to Tbilisi for treatment it will be greatly appreciated. And if you’re unable to give at this time we totally understand, and ask in return that you will do what she loves doing most…PRAY. She also asked that you will remember to pray for all those that are sick and desiring to be well.
Thanks so much for all your support!
Mel
Organizer and beneficiary
Mel Smith
Organizer
Plano, TX
Sheila Johnson
Beneficiary
