Vonni's Lyme disease lifesaver
I am running this fundraiser to get life-saving treatment for late stage neuroborreliosis (colloquially known as Lyme). This treatment is only available in a few clinics worldwide. The most accessible and cheapest for Australians is Dr Radzi's Integrated Oncology Clinic in Johor Bahru, Malaysia.
Once a wildlife and zoo vet and dance teacher, I have spent the last few years as a full time patient. It is caused by a microbe called Borrelia, spread by tick bites. I was most likely infected from working with wildlife. Tick-borne coinfections are common, and I also am treating Babesia, Bartonella and Rickettsia
Years ago, I began suffering a mystery illness of shifting arthritis, fatigue and muscle pain, that increased over time. I managed to work part time for years, until a massive relapse in 2015. At its worst, it left me bedridden in a darkened room, barely able to speak, with balance, movement problems and tremors. I finally got a diagnosis in 2017. 18 months of oral antibiotics and antimicrobial herbs have helped partially - the worst neurological symptoms are reduced.
I am now at a point where my body could withstand the flight and the treatment, and it's my best chance at recovery/ remission. Each treatment course involves one hyperthermia session and several days of intravenous antibiotics and immune boosting treatments. The body is heated to 42ºC under anaesthetic over several hours. After a few weeks of recovery, the treatment is repeated a second time.
Each trip, including flights, accommodation, hyperthermia and intravenous therapy costs $15 000 AUD. Due to ongoing costs (medicare doesn't cover treatment) my savings are spent. My family have helped me considerably, and I have already withdrawn out of my superannuation for medical costs.
I would hugely appreciate any support you could give, be it financial, words of support here on GoFundMe or spreading the word via social media.
I have started an instagram account @thetangledpath about my health journey.
*Background info*
Dr Radzi's Integrated Oncology Clinic in Malaysia jboncology.wixsite.com/hyperthermiamalaysia/hyperthermia
Lyme Disease Association of Australia www.lymedisease.org.au/
Due to the official denial of Lyme disease in Australia, many patients go years before getting a diagnosis. The longer before diagnosis, the more resistant the infection is to treatment. By this point there are also secondary issues, such as recurrent glandular fever virus, food and environmental sensitivities, hormonal and digestive issues.
Lyme has many clinical manifestations – it finds cracks in the armour of everyone's unique biochemistry. Undiagnosed Chronic Lyme patients are often lumped as symptom-based labels such as chronic fatigue syndrome/ myalgic encephalitis, fibromyalgia, multiple chemical sensitivity and POTS postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.
