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A Medical Conundrum
At 36, fully devoted to my career as an RN and to my two beautiful boys, Anthony and Brandyn, I was living a relatively normal and peaceful life without too many worries or fears, but in Sept of 2019, that life was literally flipped upside down and turned inside out. Little did I know that within a month's time, I would transition from a professional working registered nurse to a bedfast person.
My symptoms started on a Friday afternoon in September while working with one of my patients. I felt dehydrated and tired that day, but attributed my exhaustion to a heavy workload, paired with a lack of fluids, and the scorching hot summer sun. It didn't occur to me that anything was truly wrong until I bent over to pick something up off of my clients floor, and experienced a massive electrical shock in the left side of my chest that rendered me breathless and numb on my client's couch. Over the next few weeks my symptoms went from bad (flu-like) to worse (full-blown neurological nightmare). I would list them all, but let's just say that an otherwise once healthy woman, who saw the doctor once per year for insurance purposes, was quickly becoming a professional patient.
Within 2-3 weeks of symptom onset, I had to stop working. Within 8 weeks, my physical condition worsened to the point I was unable to stand for more than a few minutes at a time due to extreme tachycardia, hypotension, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Within 10 weeks, I had to pack up my home in North Carolina, leave my kiddos secure with their Dad, and make a quick decision to move over 1100 miles to be closer to family who could help assist me with simple activities of everyday living. I figured that my condition would surely be identified within a month or two and I would be back at work in no time. I was very wrong. Since Sept of 2019, I have seen close to 20 specialists for various symptoms and while most of them identify medical problems, they have not been able to piece together the full puzzle. In recent months, I have had a couple of physicians suggest Lyme disease. It has also been identified recently that I have a low functioning immune system and due to the immunodeficiency, I am requiring specialized testing that goes beyond the normal Elisa and Western Blot CDC guidelines to assess for Lyme and the coinfections that often accompany the debilitating disease.
I have been introduced to a facility called Envita Medical Center, where this specialized genomic testing exists. Envita is located in Scottsdale, AZ, and as of this past Friday, I have been scheduled for a consultation with a physician at Envita on December 7th, 2020. Due to its advanced integrative personalized techniques, the trip to Envita (cost of exam plus testing) will cost $5,500 out-of-pocket. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not accustomed to asking for help, but I am at a place where I cannot allow my pride to stand in the way. Deuteronomy 31:8 - "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." By posting this, I am literally abandoning all fear and shame and trusting in Him. It's been a tough journey, and I know it is far from over, but He has been and will continue to be my footprints in the sand. I would appreciate any help that one would be willing to donate, even if it's simply to share this post with people you know. I pray God's blessings and hedge of protection over everyone during this time and I thank you for taking a moment to read and consider this message. God bless!
At 36, fully devoted to my career as an RN and to my two beautiful boys, Anthony and Brandyn, I was living a relatively normal and peaceful life without too many worries or fears, but in Sept of 2019, that life was literally flipped upside down and turned inside out. Little did I know that within a month's time, I would transition from a professional working registered nurse to a bedfast person.
My symptoms started on a Friday afternoon in September while working with one of my patients. I felt dehydrated and tired that day, but attributed my exhaustion to a heavy workload, paired with a lack of fluids, and the scorching hot summer sun. It didn't occur to me that anything was truly wrong until I bent over to pick something up off of my clients floor, and experienced a massive electrical shock in the left side of my chest that rendered me breathless and numb on my client's couch. Over the next few weeks my symptoms went from bad (flu-like) to worse (full-blown neurological nightmare). I would list them all, but let's just say that an otherwise once healthy woman, who saw the doctor once per year for insurance purposes, was quickly becoming a professional patient.
Within 2-3 weeks of symptom onset, I had to stop working. Within 8 weeks, my physical condition worsened to the point I was unable to stand for more than a few minutes at a time due to extreme tachycardia, hypotension, dizziness, and shortness of breath. Within 10 weeks, I had to pack up my home in North Carolina, leave my kiddos secure with their Dad, and make a quick decision to move over 1100 miles to be closer to family who could help assist me with simple activities of everyday living. I figured that my condition would surely be identified within a month or two and I would be back at work in no time. I was very wrong. Since Sept of 2019, I have seen close to 20 specialists for various symptoms and while most of them identify medical problems, they have not been able to piece together the full puzzle. In recent months, I have had a couple of physicians suggest Lyme disease. It has also been identified recently that I have a low functioning immune system and due to the immunodeficiency, I am requiring specialized testing that goes beyond the normal Elisa and Western Blot CDC guidelines to assess for Lyme and the coinfections that often accompany the debilitating disease.
I have been introduced to a facility called Envita Medical Center, where this specialized genomic testing exists. Envita is located in Scottsdale, AZ, and as of this past Friday, I have been scheduled for a consultation with a physician at Envita on December 7th, 2020. Due to its advanced integrative personalized techniques, the trip to Envita (cost of exam plus testing) will cost $5,500 out-of-pocket. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not accustomed to asking for help, but I am at a place where I cannot allow my pride to stand in the way. Deuteronomy 31:8 - "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." By posting this, I am literally abandoning all fear and shame and trusting in Him. It's been a tough journey, and I know it is far from over, but He has been and will continue to be my footprints in the sand. I would appreciate any help that one would be willing to donate, even if it's simply to share this post with people you know. I pray God's blessings and hedge of protection over everyone during this time and I thank you for taking a moment to read and consider this message. God bless!
Organizer
Julie Zolman
Organizer
Hutchinson, KS