Sally's Lyme Treatment Fund

Severe joint pain, chronic tremors, migraines, flu-like symptoms, exhaustion, dizziness, insomnia and nauseosness.  That’s how Lyme Disease affects Sally on a daily basis.

Lyme is an infectious disease commonly caused by a tick bite. It affects the heart, brain, immune system, nervous system, and stomach. If left untreated, it can cause severe neurological damage, cardiac arrest and even death.

My name is Molly Garcia and I am Sally's older sister.  I have watched my sister hold a positive Lyme diagnosis in her hand since 2007 and yet, she has been treated for every illness except Lyme Disease.  The way my sister is treated for her illness is barbaric.  Her spasms and tremors leave her with an inability to walk, eat or sleep, so 99% of the time an ambulance is called and my sister is brought thru the ER and given a cocktail of heavy duty narcotics to stop her spasms and dehibilitating symptoms.  Sally needs your help.  Her chronic illness has had a horrific effect on her life.   I have watched a once vibrant soul, diminish into a shell of her former self.

After receiving multiple tick bites over what doctors presumed was even earlier than the first confirmed positive Lyme diesease test in 2007, Sally's life changed overnight.  She became rapidly ill and her body deteriorated to the extent that she could not walk without aid.  Within weeks she became lethargic, she lost weight and the tremors began.  Once she received her Lyme diagnosis, Sally was administered an IV antibiotic and told that she would recover.  

15 years later from the first onset of these symptoms, Sally is still struggling on a daily basis.

Sally's late diagnosis resulted in what most doctors don't even recognize, something called, "Chronic Late Stage Lyme Disease" - something that is even harder to treat.

She has undergone many tests over the years.  MRIs, CT scans, Echocardiograms, abdominal ultrasounds, urine tests, and innumerable blood tests. She has been to hospitals everywhere from Massachusetts, to New York, Connecticut, and now Florida.  She has been in and out of the hospital over 15 times in the past year.  

The last few years in particular have taken a toll on Sally both physically and psychologically.  In 2016 she was also diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, however, she still manages to wake up and make it to work two days a week.  Her goal is to try and live a normal life.  Each day for her, however, is like a prize fight, waking up excited about the day ahead, ready to conquer the world, only to recognize that she is still sick and that nothing has changed.  To be beat up day after day and to have a feeling of sickness that never goes away must be a daunting way to live.  

Sally tells me that Lyme has ruined her life, her finances, and even some friendships.  There are even those out there who "don't believe her."  Sally has been made to feel as though she has "made up" this illness, she has been told she is "crazy" - despite carrying that Lyme positive test result in her hand!  

Sally has tried to come off of most of her medications out of a fear of all the complex side effects they could be causing because after all, who knows how all these medications truly affect Lyme Disease.  Sally's new neurologist in Florida believes that Sally has Lyme Disease.  He believes that Sally's mistreated Lyme has left her with something called "Molecular Mimicry."

This means anytime Sally's immune system is compromised or stressed, she can run the risk of her Lyme symptoms being triggered.  It is almost as if the cells in Sally's body have been so damaged that as she continues to get older and face even just the common cold, her Lyme symptoms rear their ugly heads.

Right now, however, there is a treatment that Sally is a candidate for.  It is called Stem Cell Therapy/Stem Cell Transplant.  The treatment is located in Switzerland and it has had positive results.  In essence the procedure would reset Sally's immune system by eliminating the unhealthy cells and replacing them with healthy cells.

As you can see, this illness is very complex and very hard to treat, especially in the United States.  For whatever reason, Lyme disease is a controversial subject with America's medical authorities.

Most doctors do not recognize this illness and thousands of people like Sally are disgracefully left to suffer.

Sally has shown little signs of improvement.  Her best chance at this point is to try and go overseas.  This program is an intense 12 day stay treatment where Sally would then have to stay an additional 2 weeks for monitoring before returning home.  The funds we are raising are soley for the payment of the treatment, travel expenses, and to pay for Sally's household expenses in the US while she is away.  The clinic is reputed to have some of the best treatment in the world for Sally's type of Lyme Disease. This is a fantastic opportunity and one of Sally's only chances to recover.

You can help.  Let's help Sally get her life back!

I am trying to raise $15,000 to help Sally get to Switzerland for this much needed treatment.

I hope that everyone that sees this campaign can donate something.  Any amount large or small will make a difference and be very much appreciated.  I also ask that you PLEASE share this with your Facebook friends.

We will keep you updated on Sally's progress, and we sincerely thank you for your support and kindness.  Together I know we can find a way to help Sally get and stay healthy.  It is time to bring Sally's illness into the "Lymelight."  Her story must be shared for all those who suffer.  We won't stop fighting until she gets better.