Battling for my Life: Chronic Lyme
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Dear Potential Donors,
For the past several years, I've been infected with Lyme Disease and two other co-infections that ticks carry.
For nearly two decades, my "regular" doctors had no answers as to why my health was deteriorating so badly. For nearly 2 years, I could not get out of bed, read a book, or even watch TV. I felt completely hopeless and defeated. I believed my life was coming to an end…though doctors could not come up with a diagnosis! I prayed to the Lord that if I were dying, that it would come soon. Life had lost all meaning. To be honest, the only thing that kept me going was my much loved dog, Gabriel. He has stayed at my side through the worst of times.
Fortunately, in 2014, I was referred to a Lyme specialist in western Vermont, Dr. Carol Gardner. She sent my blood to a very specialized lab in California that is equipped to detect the spirochetes that cause Lyme Disease, the only other facility that can determine the presence of a chronic infection is the CDC in Washington. The blood tests confirmed that I had active and dangerous infections. According to her, I was most likely infected more than 15 years ago, (the only time I remember being bitten by a tick). Chronic Lyme is caused by a unique and devastating organism called a spirochete. Along with this spirochete (Borrelia Burgdorferi), I have a co-infection of Babesia, a protozoan parasite [like malaria] which infects and destroys red blood cells. After receiving the lab results, just over a year ago, Dr. Gardner put me on a very strict protocol. Since following the "Lyme protocol" (several specially prepared herbal tinctures along with antibiotics) I have felt my energy increasing. While it is still quite low, I am no longer bed-ridden. I get out of bed every day, and I feel there is hope if I can stay on the Chronic Lyme Disease protocol.
The infection destroyed my knee joints. Both of my knees need to be replaced. I have difficulty walking as both knees are "bone-on-bone. However, the surgeon who is scheduled to perform the surgeries will not operate until the Lyme infections are gone or at least in "remission."
As I said, the exhaustion I lived with was sometimes unbearable, and pain is part of my daily life. Unfortunately, except for antibiotics that are used to treat Lyme, ALL the other medicines are non-traditional...and therefore not covered by insurance. The treatment for Lyme costs hundreds of dollars each month. Without your support, I will not be able to continue to follow the treatment plan.
All of my savings and retirement money are gone except for a rather meager Social Security income which I need for monthly bills.
I pray that the Lord will put it the hearts of whoever can spare any money to enable me to continue to receive treatment. ANY amount will help! While I may never be able to repay any of you who are willing to donate funds for me, please believe that in some way, I will pay forward the generosity I am praying for.
God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Linda Agnes Deming
For the past several years, I've been infected with Lyme Disease and two other co-infections that ticks carry.
For nearly two decades, my "regular" doctors had no answers as to why my health was deteriorating so badly. For nearly 2 years, I could not get out of bed, read a book, or even watch TV. I felt completely hopeless and defeated. I believed my life was coming to an end…though doctors could not come up with a diagnosis! I prayed to the Lord that if I were dying, that it would come soon. Life had lost all meaning. To be honest, the only thing that kept me going was my much loved dog, Gabriel. He has stayed at my side through the worst of times.
Fortunately, in 2014, I was referred to a Lyme specialist in western Vermont, Dr. Carol Gardner. She sent my blood to a very specialized lab in California that is equipped to detect the spirochetes that cause Lyme Disease, the only other facility that can determine the presence of a chronic infection is the CDC in Washington. The blood tests confirmed that I had active and dangerous infections. According to her, I was most likely infected more than 15 years ago, (the only time I remember being bitten by a tick). Chronic Lyme is caused by a unique and devastating organism called a spirochete. Along with this spirochete (Borrelia Burgdorferi), I have a co-infection of Babesia, a protozoan parasite [like malaria] which infects and destroys red blood cells. After receiving the lab results, just over a year ago, Dr. Gardner put me on a very strict protocol. Since following the "Lyme protocol" (several specially prepared herbal tinctures along with antibiotics) I have felt my energy increasing. While it is still quite low, I am no longer bed-ridden. I get out of bed every day, and I feel there is hope if I can stay on the Chronic Lyme Disease protocol.
The infection destroyed my knee joints. Both of my knees need to be replaced. I have difficulty walking as both knees are "bone-on-bone. However, the surgeon who is scheduled to perform the surgeries will not operate until the Lyme infections are gone or at least in "remission."
As I said, the exhaustion I lived with was sometimes unbearable, and pain is part of my daily life. Unfortunately, except for antibiotics that are used to treat Lyme, ALL the other medicines are non-traditional...and therefore not covered by insurance. The treatment for Lyme costs hundreds of dollars each month. Without your support, I will not be able to continue to follow the treatment plan.
All of my savings and retirement money are gone except for a rather meager Social Security income which I need for monthly bills.
I pray that the Lord will put it the hearts of whoever can spare any money to enable me to continue to receive treatment. ANY amount will help! While I may never be able to repay any of you who are willing to donate funds for me, please believe that in some way, I will pay forward the generosity I am praying for.
God bless you all.
Sincerely,
Linda Agnes Deming
Organisateur
Linda Deming
Organisateur
Newport, VT