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Healing from Lyme and MCAS

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As many of you know, last year I was diagnosed with Tick Borne Relapsing Fever, Mast Cell Activation Syndrome, and Chronic EBV.

 It started last summer when I began having significant issues with my nervous system, which affected my vision and cognitive abilities. Having a simple conversation, reading or watching TV became nearly impossible.  My days were filled with migraines, tingling in my arms and legs that felt like bugs were crawling beneath my skin, extreme fatigue, racing heart and palpitations, shortness of breath and wheezing, skin flushing, rashes, chills, insomnia, seizure like episodes, blood pressure spikes, joint and bone pain, dizziness, muscle weakness, anxiety/panic attacks, and fevers.

 I quickly went from an active, outdoorsy, social young woman so full of life and dedicated to my work helping others with their own chronic/terminal illnesses, to suddenly being unable to work. I couldn’t walk up my stairs without gasping for air, shower, or even stand to brush my teeth. Nobody knew what was wrong with me and it took months of debilitating symptoms before we finally uncovered what was happening inside my body.

 I will never forget the moment my doctor sat down with me and went over my blood work. My life forever changed, and before I could even process my diagnosis I was thrown into an aggressive treatment protocol in San Francisco. Treatments for Lyme disease along with my related conditions are vast and entirely out of pocket. For reference, the average Lyme disease patient spends approximately 53k a year on treatment and I am no exception to that rule. For the past year, I have been on state disability, which has helped cover these expenses, but unfortunately that has come to an end. 

 Additionally, in the past few months my condition has worsened, I have been mostly bed bound once again, and I’ve stopped responding to treatments. We’ve now discovered that this is largely due to a leaking water heater in our kitchen that went ignored by our landlord for months resulting in toxic mold growth in our home. At the advice of my Doctor, we now must leave the house we’ve called home for the last six years, and also get rid of many of our belongings (couch, mattress, chairs, clothing) as they too carry toxic spores and will continue to make me sicker. 

 As you can imagine, this is all very overwhelming and we are beyond our financial means. Jonathan and I are humbly asking for donations to assist with my ongoing medical expenses, and to be able to replace the necessary belongings that we now must part with.

 I know I still have a full and beautiful life to live and this is just the beginning of my story. I am forever grateful to everyone who has reached out in support throughout my journey. Your thoughts, prayers, love and support have meant the world to me. If you are able to make a financial donation, no matter how small, thank you! If it is not possible, your love and support is just as appreciated.

 
With love,

Ayella
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Donations 

  • JAY PALMER
    • $100
    • 4 yrs
  • Anonymous
    • $10
    • 4 yrs
  • Kiersta Davis
    • $10
    • 4 yrs
  • Lauren Padgett
    • $10
    • 4 yrs
  • Georgia Godfrey
    • $50
    • 4 yrs
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Organizer

Ayella MacLeod
Organizer
Santa Cruz, CA

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