Lyme's Lame - Help Steph Beat Lyme
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Three years ago, a tick bit my girlfriend.
What’s followed has been a discouraging journey filled with conflicting opinions and a seemingly endless series of misdiagnosis. Stephanie Rochon has advanced Lyme disease and it’s upended her life.
Inside the debilitating, all encompassing trash-heap that Lyme has proven to be, I’ve witnessed her health diminish and her world slowly narrow. Doctors dismissed the fatigue, distorted vision and paralysis of facial muscles as mysterious co-infections. They ran neurological tests that provided us with zero answers. Her severe headaches started and never stopped. This went on for two years.
In July of 2013, after being advised by a family friend, Steph asked to be tested for Lyme. She tested positive for three strands of the Lyme bacteria. Based on her symptoms, it’s estimated that she’s been infected for at least three years, resulting in advanced Lyme disease. Since her diagnosis, she's been on a plethora of oral-antibiotics in order to strengthen her immune system for the intense intravenous treatments to come. Just last week, a PICC line was inserted into an artery in her arm in order to dispense the medicine closer to her heart.
Her fatigue has left her bedridden, especially after overexerting herself. I’ve seen her in so much pain that she can barely speak. Through it all, she’s rarely complained and continues to rule at being a beautiful mum, partner and friend. I’ve been in love with this girl since the 8th grade and I’m very optimistic that with your love and support, this round of treatment will help her regain control of her life.
I was hesitant about creating this. Kickstarter pages that raise millions of dollars overnight (unless it's for Reading Rainbow) leave a bad taste in my mouth. However, this disease has been financially draining on everyone involved. Insurance won’t cover IV medication and supplies needed to administer them can’t be found in the Job Lot bargain bin. A donation of any amount will be forever appreciated.
Much love,
Timmy, Stephanie, Jacob and Dakota
What’s followed has been a discouraging journey filled with conflicting opinions and a seemingly endless series of misdiagnosis. Stephanie Rochon has advanced Lyme disease and it’s upended her life.
Inside the debilitating, all encompassing trash-heap that Lyme has proven to be, I’ve witnessed her health diminish and her world slowly narrow. Doctors dismissed the fatigue, distorted vision and paralysis of facial muscles as mysterious co-infections. They ran neurological tests that provided us with zero answers. Her severe headaches started and never stopped. This went on for two years.
In July of 2013, after being advised by a family friend, Steph asked to be tested for Lyme. She tested positive for three strands of the Lyme bacteria. Based on her symptoms, it’s estimated that she’s been infected for at least three years, resulting in advanced Lyme disease. Since her diagnosis, she's been on a plethora of oral-antibiotics in order to strengthen her immune system for the intense intravenous treatments to come. Just last week, a PICC line was inserted into an artery in her arm in order to dispense the medicine closer to her heart.
Her fatigue has left her bedridden, especially after overexerting herself. I’ve seen her in so much pain that she can barely speak. Through it all, she’s rarely complained and continues to rule at being a beautiful mum, partner and friend. I’ve been in love with this girl since the 8th grade and I’m very optimistic that with your love and support, this round of treatment will help her regain control of her life.
I was hesitant about creating this. Kickstarter pages that raise millions of dollars overnight (unless it's for Reading Rainbow) leave a bad taste in my mouth. However, this disease has been financially draining on everyone involved. Insurance won’t cover IV medication and supplies needed to administer them can’t be found in the Job Lot bargain bin. A donation of any amount will be forever appreciated.
Much love,
Timmy, Stephanie, Jacob and Dakota
Organizer
Timmy Brothers
Organizer
Douglas, MA
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