Kate’s Chronic Lyme & Car Accident Recovery

I am seeking funds to help pay out-of-pocket medical expenses for my daughter Kate, who suffers from Late Stage Lyme Disease, co-infections, mold illness, and car accident recovery.

KATE'S STORY:

Kate was a happy, very healthy child/teen, an athlete, particularly a cross country runner until she developed a horrible flu which lasted for weeks in her second year of college in 2009. She then began experiencing daily headaches which escalated into constant debilitating head pain and pressure. She was unable to resume her usual routine of attending college classes and running. An MRI revealed the absence of most of her left cerebellum (the balance center of the brain) -a cerebrospinal fluid-filled cyst (arachnoid cyst) in its place. A neurologist indicated it is a rare condition most likely caused by a stroke in utero which prevented that part of the brain to form. Further brain scans revealed the veins on the left side of her brain have less activity, causing the veins on the right to compensate. Since her balance was never an issue growing up, the rest of her brain compensated, and doctors ruled out the brain anomaly as the root cause of the head pain. Kate has been seen by over 40 doctors and specialists, which included years of alternative treatments just to manage the pain. Then, as best as she could, Kate began researching, put the puzzle pieces together, was tested, and finally was diagnosed with Lyme in 2016. Lyme disease and mold illness go hand in hand, and a Neuroquant MRI confirmed that she suffers from mold illness as well.

Lyme Disease is extremely difficult to diagnose accurately; it is known as "the Great Imitator," misleading doctors to believe symptoms are other disorders that led to Kate's misdiagnosis for at least 7 years. By the time she was diagnosed since the initial infection, the Lyme bacteria, called spirochetes, as well as co-infections, had ample time to invade her central nervous system and brain. This not only causes severe, chronic inflammation and pain but also makes the disease extremely difficult and expensive to eradicate. Her brain is the perfect host since it has an anomaly and therefore, is the weakest body part for the Lyme bacteria to attack.

Kate's severe head pain, TMJ issues, and difficulty chewing food have resulted in malnourishment and severe weight loss. Once a straight-A student, a self-proclaimed over-achiever, and an avid reader and writer, she now has difficulty concentrating, and her short-term memory is compromised. Kate must be mindful of physical activity, including everyday tasks, so that the pain doesn't increase.

Kate's fight against Lyme and mold became tougher after her battle with COVID in 2021. She was finally overcoming COVID long hauler symptoms when in November 2022, she was in a vehicle accident and airlifted to OSF St. Anthony's Hospital Trauma Unit. She broke her L-1 vertebrae, 2 ribs, and her left heel, injured her T-2 and T-3 vertebrae, and sustained head injuries. Her lumbar spine was repaired with 2 rods and 8 screws. A cast stabilized her foot. After 8 days in the Neuro ICU and 10 days in the Neuro Wing, we brought her home in a torso brace to further stabilize her spine. Her neurosurgeon said she is extremely lucky to be alive and walking. The broken vertebrae usually cause paralysis. Her head hitting the steering wheel, the injuries, and the trauma of it all has increased her head pain significantly. We need your help more so now.

Late-stage Lyme Disease is a complex, chronic condition that can affect any system of the body. Kate's most severe symptoms are neurological, but the disease also suppresses the

immune system, the very system that needs to be at its peak performance to eradicate the disease. This creates another complicated component of healing that requires extra medical

assistance.

Kate's symptoms are so severe, she is unable to work, and treatments are not covered by insurance. Consistent treatment is key and all donations will be used towards that treatment. Based on her long-term suffering and severity of symptoms, her Lyme literate nurse practitioner (LLNP) has recommended a variety of therapies, which include IV vitamins and minerals, Peptides for bone, muscle, and neurological repair, IV ozone therapy for Lyme/mold and generalized healing, Whartons Jelly injections into specific inflammatory sites in back and neck, IV exosomes, medical laser treatments, and various supportive supplements. Her progress will be carefully reassessed. Kate and her LLNP are extremely confident with this plan, as it addresses Lyme, co-infections, mold, and accident injuries.

To afford the necessary treatments to regain her health, I am reaching out to you in hopes that you would assist in Kate's recovery so she would not only regain her life but also achieve her goal to become a Lyme literate practitioner and help others who are suffering similarly. This battle has taken a toll on our family's finances, especially since her car accident. I would be so grateful for any generosity you are willing to provide for my daughter Kate, as well as your sharing this fundraiser with others. I will be posting regular updates.

Thank you in advance for your help, and God bless you.

“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”

Isaiah 40:31