Please help my best friend, Tash!

Natasa Pilepic, otherwise known as Tash, is my best friend. We met many moons ago at work, and immediately knew we would be besties! We have shared so many wonderful times and not so good times, throughout our long friendship. Tash is the kind of woman who puts others first. She is a giver, and is who you would want in your corner in a tough situation. My friend is not the kind of person to put herself first, or to ask for help. That is why I have taken this opportunity to start a Go Fund Me Page on her behalf. You see, Tash has been suffering with a horrible and so far incurable type of Lyme Disease, as well as Neuropathy and serious and debilitating coinfections. She is, unfortunately, unable to pay for the specialists, the testing and all the medications, as this disease has been going on over three years now. I have set up this Go Fund Me page in her name to help her keep fighting! My friend is a true warrior, but needs your help to keep moving forward! Here is her story.....

In late August of 2016, Tash was exposed to a dog that was infested with little black ticks. She never noticed any tick bites on herself, but in December she started experiencing terrible fatigue, flu-like symptoms, insomnia and pain in her elbow and right shoulder. Feeling terrible she went to see a rheumatologist in January. The doctor tested her for Lyme disease, but the test results were negative. Instead, she was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia. Then the rashes on her face began. Intense bone pain and inability to move her shoulder sent her to an Orthopedic surgeon. She had an MRI and was told she had a frozen shoulder. Tash received  a steroid shot. She went to physical therapy for many months with no relief from the pain or immobility. Tash experienced severe migraines, nausea and a stiff neck. At this point the doctors were very confused, and a Neurologist ordered more testing. An MRI showed white lesions on her brain, and genetic testing was positive for a gene mutation called the MTHFR gene. At this point her health was really deteriorating. Tone morning she woke and could not step down on her left foot, and felt as if her ankle was broken. Next came the red rash on her arm. At this point She went to the Rheumatologist and was FINALLY diagnosed with LYME DISEASE. Unfortunately, the disease had turned into Late Stage Neurological Lyme due to the late diagnosis which was a year after her symptoms began. She was put on the antibiotic, Doxycycline, for 30 days. After a very brief period of feeling a tiny bit better, she entered into one could only describe as a living hell, and sometimes wanting to die just to end all her pain and suffering.

Unfortunately, Tash wound up with what INFECTIOUS DISEASE doctor's call  COINFECTIONS. This is the simultaneous infection of a host by MULTIPLE pathogen species. Now new medication with new neurological symptoms! Brain fog, memory problems, vertigo, dizziness, swollen glands, hair loss, joint pain, problems walking, nonstop crawling and tingling sensations all over her body. My poor friend. She was so scared, and I felt completely helpless. 

In January of 2018, Tash had an PICC LINE (an inserted central catheter) for long term IV antibiotics. Every week she had to travel by train into New York City to draw and test her blood. In April, she stopped therapy but unfortunately in June started with drenching sweats, and air hunger (gasping for air) She now had Babesia and Bartonella Lyme disease confections. The shots and treatments gave her Candida, a yeast infection in her mouth. Tash's neurological systems worsened. The infection had effected the frontal portion of her brain! This effects the part of the brain that deals with emotion and memory. She had crying outbursts, disorientation and problems remembering things. The Neurologist orders nerve study and skin biopsies. She was now POSITIVE for Small Fiber Neuropathy/Autonomic Neuropathy, caused by the Lyme Disease. This is NOT curable and will progress, and can only be managed but NEVER cured. Tash is prescribed LYRICA, which has many horrible side effects. In August, terrible stomach pain and digestive problems occur, and she is told that the neuropathy was affecting her nerves in her stomach causing burning pain. As if things couldn't get any worse, in September her Gastrointestinal doctor ordered stool and blood tests. It of course was POSITIVE for a very dangerous parasite called ENTAMOBEA from the Lyme disease, and put on a 10 day treatment.

The next course of treatment was called IVIG or Intravenous Immunoglobulin Therapy, to help with Autonomic Neuropathy pain.  My poor friend spent the holidays sick and stuck at home alone. The burning pain would have her crying for hours at a time. In January she had to go to the hospital 3 days a month for 8 hours a day for her IVIG treatments. After 7 months, they had to stop as her white blood count became too low.

Lyme Disease and Autonomic Neuropathy are invisible illnesses. Often times the chronic pain they suffer on a daily basis are not understood by others. Often Tash was told that "this pain is all in your head!" Can you imagine? I have witnessed my friend having to cancel plans at the last minute, missing out on important family events, and feeling hopeless and desperate. I have witnessed her crying from the burning pain in her stomach that never seems to let up. I have watched her unable to when she is unable to even hold a cup in her hand due to numbness in her fingertips. I've been there when she has had trouble speaking from tingling in her mouth, lips and throat and burning in her nose. It is so sad to see her homebound and bedridden, feeling isolated and afraid that she is going to die from this all. Will she lose her balance or have heart palpitations when she is alone? What if she falls and cannot get emergency help? I am so very afraid that I may lose my best friend. 

Natasa is now been recommended by her Neurologist to see a specialist in Dutchess County, a well known Lyme Specialist. His cost is $3,000. This doctor could be the one who can FINALLY help Tash end her pain and suffering. This doctor is the best in the entire country for Lyme Disease. She wants to begin treatment with him, as well as a new Neuropathic Doctor and a Psychiatrist. Unfortunately, Tash is on disability due to the fact that she wasn't able to perform at work any longer, and cannot afford the myriad of appointments and specialized tests which are NOT COVERED by her Medicare insurance plan. She has spent most of her savings and is terrified about how she will be able to survive without these treatments. The LYRICA along with all of the drug medications co-payments, cost her out of pocket (after insurance) approximately $1,000 a month. My dear friend is emotionally, physically and financially exhausted. She has spent all of her pension on treatment these last three years. 

Money from this Go Fund Me page will be used to help pay for continuing treatments, medications, testing and any other medical expenses she will incur while trying to save her life. Please consider a donation for my best friend, Tash. ANY AMOUNT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED!!!! GOD BLESS AND THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART!