Help us recover Toxic Mold Exposure
Some of you may not know that I have been sick since October 2012 and that over the last few years my health has rapidly been declining. Initially I was diagnosed with Fibromyalgia , then nodules on my thyroid and especially over the last year I have had health issues such as: Constant low grade fevers, hormone imbalances, hair loss, cognitive and memory loss issues, skin rashes,
chronic bacterial infections, ear infections, sinus issues, migraines, severe chronic fatigue, insomnia, extreme pain in my muscles and joints, IBS, nausea, digestive issues, blood sugar issues, bloating and weight gain as well as lymphedema. There are more issues but I can't list them all.But it's fair to say my quality of life has suffered. I cannot do many of the things I used to do. I'm always sick. If you can imagine having the worst flu you've ever had, every day for almost 5 years, then add being in extreme pain, having to have people repeat themselves because you can't remember what they just said, having balance issues and the latest is these episodes where my face and left arm go numb and I lose vision in my left eye for A few moments, almost like what the describe mini strokes to be like. Its very scary and it's definitely affecting my performance at work. If you know me, you know how bad that bothers me. I want to be able to do fun things with my son and husband but most of the time I have to stay home because I am too sick .
A few weeks ago we tested our home for toxic mold because some of my issues especially the neurological ones could not be explained away with Fibromyalgia. Also Alan has been having chronic sinus and respiratory infections, has nodules on his thyroid as well and now has low testosterone. Nicholas thankfully has the least amount of symptoms but he has been complaining of feeling flu like, has been extremely tired and has a bad cough.
The results of the mold test were that our home was positive for stachybotrys mold. This type of mold, once it dries releases spores into the air which contain mycotoxins that are harmful if they are breathed in or come in contact with your skin. I will include a few links that explain how dangerous this particular mold is. Thankfully, we have the opportunity to move to a new home and we will be there by the end of the week. Unfortunately, because the spores containing the toxins are airborne, we have to trash all of our belongings. Bringing any of our things into our new home will only cross contaminate the new home and we will continue to have these issues. We also can't pick thinks up at thrift stores or yard sales, etc. because there is no way to be sure that those items haven't been exposed to mold and once you are symptomatic due to exposure, you are highly susceptible to react to even small amounts of mold. We are talking about literally replacing everything we own. Thankfully, the amazing woman we are buying our home from is leaving the washer, dryer, dinette set, a desk for me to work from and a few other items. My mother bought us some things for our kitchen, new shower curtains and everything Nick needs for his room. Everything else we will need to purchase.
In addition, we recently lost our health insurance. We were on Medicaid because we were considered low income due to the fact that Alan was on disability. He found a job last fall that he is able to do full time and he loves it. He is working hard to provide for our family. With both of us working full time, we no longer qualify for Medicaid. We cannot afford to purchase health insurance through the marketplace and have to wait until October/November when there is open enrollment to get insurance through our employers. This means that the treatments we will need to get healthy again will have to be paid out of pocket. I currently see a Rhuematologist monthly but also need to be seen by an endocrinologist and neurologist. The first step to getting better is to be in a mold free environment. Next is a thorough detox to get the immune system to begin functioning properly and to rid our bodies of the mycotoxins from the stachybotrys mold exposure. There are very few traditional physicians trained in treating toxic mold exposure. I have found a few alternative medicine practitioners who specialize in treating people exposed to Stachybotrys mold. Treatment includes grain free and processed food free diets, IV Infusions, lymphatic massage, acupuncture, supplements, infrared sauna treatments and in some cases patients need to use a hyperbaric chamber to get well. It's all a lot to process and is very overwhelming.
We were not going to ask for help and pray that our needs would be met. But today while praying, the Lord reminded me that I needed to make our needs known, otherwise people would not know that we need help. So I decided to go ahead and do this and not let my pride or embarrasment get in the way. I've set up this go fund me to raise money to help replace the items we have to part with and to help with the cost of treatments so that we can all be healthy again. It's been an emotional roller coaster. We are overjoyed that we are moving to a new home because that is the first step to our healing and we are happy that we will be homeowners. God made a way for that to happen and we are so thankful! The hard part has been carrying seemingly "perfectly good furniture" out of our home and into the dumpster. We could not with good conscience have a yard sale or even donate our things because of course we do not want anyone else to get sick. I know these are just things but it has been very hard and honestly we are very stressed out about how to replace everything and cover the treatments we will need as we like many, pretty much live paycheck to paycheck with not much extra at the end of the month.
Please keep us in your prayers and if you feel led to help us financially, we would appreciate that also. Thank you for taking the time to read this and please share.
God Bless,
Melissa, Alan and Nick Cox.
www.momsaware.org/personal-stories/the-fabry-story.html
www.paradigmchange.me
http://it-takes-time.com/2016/02/23/toxic-mold-and-possessions-2/
moldpedia.com
www.survivingtoxicmold.com
