Support Mira's Healing Journey from Late-Stage Lyme Disease

In December of 2021, some of you may remember, I got Bell’s palsy—I thought it was from stress or maybe a passing illness. But that was just the beginning. Over the next three years, my health kept getting worse. I spent so much money, saw so many doctors, and kept hearing the same thing: “It’s just anxiety.” But I knew it wasn’t, so I was forced to become my own advocate. I felt like I was slowly disappearing inside a body that was falling apart, and no one could tell me why. It was (and still is) terrifying.

Finally, I have answers. I’ve been diagnosed with Lyme disease, and I have most of the common co-infections that come with it. There are some other concerning things going on, too, such as viruses that can't be dealt with until after I've treated the Lyme disease and co-infections. This diagnosis is both a huge relief and a heavy reality. But after so long in the dark, I am so thankful to at least know what I’m fighting.

This has become late-stage Lyme disease. It's not good. It has reached a point where it is attacking my nerves and causing nerve damage. Some people get misdiagnosed with MS because of this. I have twitches and tingling in different parts of my body. Sometimes, it feels like my brain is shaking. There's a mile long list of symptoms that I dont want to get into, but just know that it is serious.

If you know me well, you know I’ve been struggling for a long time. This past year, it became debilitating. I’ve had to stop traveling. I’m completely sober now. I’ve changed my entire diet. I’ve been trying to do everything I can to heal—but the truth is, I can’t do this alone.

I pushed myself to work Scarborough this year to save up some cash, and honestly, it nearly broke me. Pushing my body that hard made everything worse. I can't keep doing that. Right now, if I want a real chance at getting better, I need to give my nervous system peace, rest, and stability. I need to be in a mold-free, supportive home environment while I recover. My body is fragile, and healing needs to be my full- time focus.

I've just begun working with a Lyme-literate specialist in Virginia. But it's not one-and-done - it's long, and it's expensive. It's going to take a year or more of constant doctor visits, ongoing treatment, tests, supplements, specialized care, and rest. Insurance doesn't cover any of it. The lab panel that I had to find on my own (thanks to a super helpful woman on reddit who also has suffered through Lyme) was $870, my first appointment with the specialist was $800. I'm so grateful to be in a position to have paid those two outright, but it's going to keep adding up.

My body’s been in survival mode for a long time. She’s tired, and she needs love.

So I’m asking for help. That’s not easy for me. But I need it. Every dime will go towards doctor visits, treatment, and my basic bills while I get better.

Lyme has completely uprooted my life. It's relentless, but I'm not giving up. But with rest and care and help from you, I can begin reclaiming my life. The life I LOVE and miss.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for seeing me. Thank you for helping me get my life back. I can't wait to feel human again. Thanks for helping me with the financial burden. I can't afford to be stressed.

What is Lyme Disease?

Lyme disease is a complex, multi-system infection caused primarily by a spiral-shaped bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. It is most commonly spread to humans through the bite of infected black-legged ticks (also called deer ticks), although new research suggests other possible modes of transmission, including congenital (mother to baby) and, potentially, sexual transmission. Lyme is often referred to as a “great imitator” because it can mimic dozens of other illnesses — including chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, autoimmune diseases, and even psychiatric conditions.