The Brennan Family Fight
Donation protected
Mike and Kristine Brennan are two wonderful and outgoing parents with three beautiful and amazing children. They are a family people love to be around and are held very dearly in countless hearts. Mike, Kristine, Delaney, Dylan and Devyn go above and beyond for others; through action and word, they help to make this world a better place. Right now however, they need your help.
Think back to what you were doing last Super Bowl Sunday. The Brennans were attending a school play where Delaney was one of the lead roles. Dylan was coming off a championship football season. Devyn was enjoying her preschool as well as dance. As I write this today, Delaney is being tutored at home, unable to walk unassisted. Dylan has recurrent bouts of unexplained illnesses and pains. Devyn will not ride the bus to school due to acute anxiety. This family’s life has come undone in less than 10 months and we are asking for your help.
Shortly after the school play, Delaney began experiencing weakness in her legs. This was something she had suffered through a few years back, was treated, and subsequently diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome. This current relapse, much to the worry of her parents, was different and getting progressively worse. Her vision was severely affected, her facial features were changing and the once vibrant child was always tired.
Over this past year, Mike and Kristine have had to become advocates for Delaney in ways they never imagined. What the medical world believed to be a valid diagnosis from 2012, the Brennans believed something wasn’t right. They researched and questioned; they endured countless frustrating appointments and conversations with medical professionals. From one institution to another across a multitude of departments and specialties they went, asking for further tests to get to the root of what was making their daughter sick. They suspected and suggested Lyme’s often and it wasn’t until a more elaborate test was done was their suspicion confirmed. Delaney had Lyme’s Disease along with various severe co-infections that ran rampant from lack of medical treatment over the years.
Delaney currently receives monthly IVIG treatments in Connecticut, which involves an 8 hour continuous IV drip over two days. She is on potent antibiotics in hopes to eradicate these infections. Recently, she has had a permanent IV placed for nightly medications. She is unable to walk on her own and relies on a walker, wheelchair or crutches to get around school and at home. She finished the school year last Spring with a home tutor and will currently end 2015 with one as well. Despite all this, she is an honor student.
Dylan, the athlete with a heart of gold, has had bouts of nausea, body aches and fevers over the years without anyone else in the family getting the “bug.” Devyn, who has the look of a kitten but the will of a lion, has begun to fear school and shows signs anxiety and worry. While diagnoses like Delaney’s is one no parent should have to hear, recent lab tests have shown Dylan has tested positive for one of the infections Delaney is currently fighting and Devyn has been diagnosed with PANS, an infection that affects the brain. Both are on antibiotics for the next three months.
While the family is currently in the treatment phase, their time with the medical world is far from over. They will have numerous appointments with countless specialists across the region. Mike and Kristine are doing everything possible for their family; unfortunately, the care these kids need and deserve come with hefty price tags. With many in the medical and health insurance world naïve to Lyme’s and its multifaceted conditions, these price tags are often left in in the hands of Mike and Kristine: two parents who sat in a hospital room in 2012 with a sick child and didn’t receive a proper diagnosis.
While this story singes heart strings, this family is the epitome of life and what it means to live it. Mike and Kristine continue to fight for their family to keep them healthy and safe as well as go to their full time jobs protecting and caring for others. Delaney continues to do well in school, has a great group of friends and the personality of a natural leader. Dylan humbly wins game after game and teaches us all what it means to have a good heart. And while Devyn is a bit more fearful these days, she quickly lights up a room with her smile and lovable personality.
Thank you for any generosity you can show towards this family. They’ve been handed a year of disappointments, but it has yet to destroy their spirit. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.
For more information on Lyme’s: www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/what-its-live-lymes-disease
Think back to what you were doing last Super Bowl Sunday. The Brennans were attending a school play where Delaney was one of the lead roles. Dylan was coming off a championship football season. Devyn was enjoying her preschool as well as dance. As I write this today, Delaney is being tutored at home, unable to walk unassisted. Dylan has recurrent bouts of unexplained illnesses and pains. Devyn will not ride the bus to school due to acute anxiety. This family’s life has come undone in less than 10 months and we are asking for your help.
Shortly after the school play, Delaney began experiencing weakness in her legs. This was something she had suffered through a few years back, was treated, and subsequently diagnosed with Guillain Barre Syndrome. This current relapse, much to the worry of her parents, was different and getting progressively worse. Her vision was severely affected, her facial features were changing and the once vibrant child was always tired.
Over this past year, Mike and Kristine have had to become advocates for Delaney in ways they never imagined. What the medical world believed to be a valid diagnosis from 2012, the Brennans believed something wasn’t right. They researched and questioned; they endured countless frustrating appointments and conversations with medical professionals. From one institution to another across a multitude of departments and specialties they went, asking for further tests to get to the root of what was making their daughter sick. They suspected and suggested Lyme’s often and it wasn’t until a more elaborate test was done was their suspicion confirmed. Delaney had Lyme’s Disease along with various severe co-infections that ran rampant from lack of medical treatment over the years.
Delaney currently receives monthly IVIG treatments in Connecticut, which involves an 8 hour continuous IV drip over two days. She is on potent antibiotics in hopes to eradicate these infections. Recently, she has had a permanent IV placed for nightly medications. She is unable to walk on her own and relies on a walker, wheelchair or crutches to get around school and at home. She finished the school year last Spring with a home tutor and will currently end 2015 with one as well. Despite all this, she is an honor student.
Dylan, the athlete with a heart of gold, has had bouts of nausea, body aches and fevers over the years without anyone else in the family getting the “bug.” Devyn, who has the look of a kitten but the will of a lion, has begun to fear school and shows signs anxiety and worry. While diagnoses like Delaney’s is one no parent should have to hear, recent lab tests have shown Dylan has tested positive for one of the infections Delaney is currently fighting and Devyn has been diagnosed with PANS, an infection that affects the brain. Both are on antibiotics for the next three months.
While the family is currently in the treatment phase, their time with the medical world is far from over. They will have numerous appointments with countless specialists across the region. Mike and Kristine are doing everything possible for their family; unfortunately, the care these kids need and deserve come with hefty price tags. With many in the medical and health insurance world naïve to Lyme’s and its multifaceted conditions, these price tags are often left in in the hands of Mike and Kristine: two parents who sat in a hospital room in 2012 with a sick child and didn’t receive a proper diagnosis.
While this story singes heart strings, this family is the epitome of life and what it means to live it. Mike and Kristine continue to fight for their family to keep them healthy and safe as well as go to their full time jobs protecting and caring for others. Delaney continues to do well in school, has a great group of friends and the personality of a natural leader. Dylan humbly wins game after game and teaches us all what it means to have a good heart. And while Devyn is a bit more fearful these days, she quickly lights up a room with her smile and lovable personality.
Thank you for any generosity you can show towards this family. They’ve been handed a year of disappointments, but it has yet to destroy their spirit. Any amount you can give is greatly appreciated.
For more information on Lyme’s: www.rodalesorganiclife.com/wellbeing/what-its-live-lymes-disease
Organizer and beneficiary
M K Doyle White
Organizer
Pembroke, MA
Kristine Brennan
Beneficiary