We (Jahanguir, Maryam, and Robbie) are asking for your help to aid our Mother and Fiance who has been struggling with unsuccessful diagnosis of ongoing symptoms as well as treatment of multiple autoimmune disorders for the past 2 years.

In October 2020, Michelle was diagnosed with recessive Lyme Disease. After several attempted rounds of treatment, and some unaccounted for symptoms, further testing by infectious disease specialists revealed an underlying existence of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever. These two conditions, in combination with Michelle’s existing rare neuro-degenerative disorder, Reflex Sympathetic Distrophy (RSD) Syndrome, are creating an environment which prevent Doctors from further diagnostics, although there is strong belief that Lupus and other autoimmune disorders are at play as well. Each visit, Michelle is told how lucky she is to have survived from 2020 to diagnosis in 2022 without treatment for the Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever ALONE.

After 8 months of oral antibiotics and steroids which were unsuccessful, she now needs IV antibiotics to hopefully treat the infections and allow the doctors to continue pushing her towards full recovery. Until now, her average monthly medical bills often exceed $900 each month for doctor visits, imaging tests and bloodwork. In addition, she has a variety of prescriptions, supplements and topical treatments that also cost a substantial amount. These costs, for numerous insurance jargon reasons, are not coverable under her insurance plan. They do not count towards her out of pocket expense, and have not/will not trigger her deductible.

In addition to these existing costs, Michelle has now been moved to an ongoing daily IV transfusion, through a midline port. A long-term IV port will be surgically installed into her arm and used daily for intake of the prescribed intra-venous medical cocktail.

A nurse will have to visit weekly to check vitals, the mid-line itself, and do bloodwork. The doctors have not provided a finish date for this treatment… which costs upwards of $600 each week. Beyond this, doctors have also told Michelle to prepare for eventual insertion of a pacemaker, and potentially other devices.

If you have known Michelle in any capacity, then you know how much of a champion she is for others. Her entire adult life, she has spoken out and stepped up for individuals and causes that needed a voice, whether in a personal or professional environment. Poised, bouyant, endlessly optimistic in the face of adversity, Michelle has battled, and beaten Breast Cancer (TWICE), and is a familiar face at our local fundraisers for many causes.

Michelle is showing the signs of her ongoing war. Though Michelle has continued to work as General Manager of one of the region's top hotels to keep on top of her medical expenses, the doctors are slowly pushing her towards full medical leave. This once vibrant and energetic 53-year-old woman must walk with the assistance of a cane due to joint damage and constant, intense pain. She suffers daily from neuropathy, hearing loss, vertigo, eyesight issues, heart irregularity, and internal organ problems. Her lungs have such reduced capacity that walking 20 feet is often difficult. Sleep is elusive from the immense pain, even with the assistance of powerful, prescribed medicines.

We hope these treatments will help Michelle get some quality of life back without her becoming destitute in the process. Anything you can give will help with these IV treatments and the many years of treatments and ongoing medical care to recover from the damage that has already been done. If you are not in a position to give, please help us spread this as far as we can. Please help Michelle fight back in any way you can, so she may continue to be a champion and guiding light for the world.

Thank You All!

Robbie, Maryam, and Jahanguir