Randi Deal Einzig has been fighting the effects of 4 tick-borne illnesses, including Lyme disease, for more than 13 years.  During this battle, she has seen more than 50 doctors, spent 3 months in a wheelchair, takes more than 50 pills a day plus IV medication, and has spent more than 180,000 on her medical crisis.  Randi recently startd seeing a new doctor located in San Francisco who specializes in Lyme treatment.  Consider supporting Randi to help with the overwhelming medical costs her family is facing.  To learn more about Randi's journey, read "Small Tick, Big Problem".

My Journey
"Small tick.  Big problem"
In 2007, I collapsed to the floor and that is the last time I recall having a good day.  I have had an electrical headache for 8 years, all day- everyday, plugged into a light socket and I can feel my body buzzing.  It feels like my brain is burning and someone poured acid on it.  In 2010, I could no longer walk or stand and my dad brought me to the ER at Mayo Hospital.  I was seen at Mayo hospital 4 days a week for 3.5 months and in a wheelchair.  Mayo did not test for Lyme, and I made the decision to move on and seek more doctoring.  My 33rd Dr. diagnosed me with Lyme 2 months later.  Shortly after, I tested positive for 4 tick borne illnesses all from one tick bite.  Lyme was only the tip of the iceberg. 

I have collectively spent $180,000 out of my pocket, hav a mountain of medical debt, and am traveling to Washington DC every 6 weeks to see my revered Lyme Dr.  He is the 40th Dr. I have seen.  I have reduced blood flow to both of my frontal lobes, my temporal lobe, and my Basal Ganglia.  I am on my 3rd Picc line and have and IV in my chest currently.  Next week I will do 6 IVs a day and take 50 pills.  How did this happen to me?

This is part of my journey, but I fantasize that someday I will be able to write books about my tradedy, that I will be able to speak publicly, and be able to thrive again.  I still have so far to go and the money is running out.  I am hanging on by a thread to not go on disability.  I am finally at a point where I don't go by funeral homes and become terrified that my life will be taken from me, and my 3 beautiful children will be left motherless.  I finally go to the bathroom in public with the door clossed, becausse I know that I won't collapse and die at Target without anyoe knowing.  I don't write my husband's phone number on a piece of paper and tell my 12 year old daughter Kaia to "give this to a stranger if anything happens to me."  My goal is to surrender my dignity and ask my community for financial support, while educating about the horrors and reality of Lyme Disease.  We are all one tick bite away from Lyme, and "you don't get it until you get it."  
Thank ou for reading my story and considering donating for my treatment.