For Better or For Worse

When the Webbs said, "for better or for worse" they meant it.  Throughout their marriage, they have fought a life altering battle with Lyme disease.  In nine years, they have spent over $130,000 out of pocket in medical expenses- $90,000 in the last four years. They would be so grateful for prayers and any amount you can contribute!  With your help they hope to pay down debt, start treatment again, and to stay in their home a little longer. 

Theo's last nine years:
7 surgeries.   5 PICC lines.   2 years of IV medication.  4 years (total) undiagnosed.   4+ years of treatment.  19 doctors and specialists before diagnosed.   18 MRIs/ CAT scans, dozens of X-rays, EMG testing and ultrasounds.   30+ Physical Therapy appointments.   Frequent trips to San Fransisco.
  
"Seven years ago, Theo and I were newlyweds. We had bought a fixer-upper home and wanted to start our family.  We had high hopes for our future. Theo had already had a couple surgeries and was experiencing some health problems, but we never could have imagined how much worse his health would get, or all the medical costs and hardships we would come to endure.  

Throughout Theo's years of being undiagnosed, surgery after surgery, and long treatment, Theo fought to remain positive despite his pain, failing body, the costs and sacrifices, inability to work, and setbacks.  He had moments he wanted to give up, but he didn't.  I was so proud of him.  He made progress over the years, and had to continually fight for it.  Now his hope has been dwindling.  Huge stresses and lack of treatment have set us back.  We pray with God’s help, and your help, we might not only be able to pay off debt and start treatment again, but we can also stay in our house long enough to regain some sanity, refocus, and peace of mind to hope and fight again."    With love, Shawn Webb 




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It started in 2008 when Theo developed a rash.  He later developed digestive issues, fevers, chills, night sweats, achy joints and sore muscles off and on for a couple years.  

Doctors had no answers.  

After two invasive intestinal surgeries, he continued to work and push through his pain.  It wasn’t until 2010 that his health quickly worsened and became life altering. He began having intense nerve pain throughout his body, severe back pain developed, and both joint and muscle pain became more intense and widespread. He was constantly fatigued, like a flu that never went away. It hurt to walk, sit and lay.  He lost one testicle.  His skin constantly itched and rashes would commonly appear. He frequently experienced intense headaches, sensitivity to light, ringing in his ears, foot pain, hand pain and weakness, memory problems, and more digestive issues.  The list of symptoms went on and on. 

He had to quit work. 

All doctors could say is “sorry we don’t know what is causing all this”, “your blood work shows nothing”.  He was diagnosed with arthritis, spinal stenosis, neuralgia, peripheral neurapthy, fibromyalgia, Chronic Fatigue syndrome, and IBS. Various other symptoms remained unlabeled. After three more surgeries, the doctors still could not tie all his symptoms together.  

For two more long years he had no answers.  Then Theo tested positive for Lyme disease and other co-infections.  
(For more information on Lyme disease go to the end of this page.)  

 Finally, Theo had the “why”.  By this time his Lyme disease had progressed, especially neurologically, and was diagnosed as Chronic.  Due to the controversy and legality risks, doctors that treat these patients are rarely, if ever, covered by insurance.  

This meant expensive, out of pocket, office visits and treatment.  

Blood work and other labs were covered, after high deductibles were met.  Despite the costs, they were excited and determined to fight this disease with a highly regarded Tick-borne Disease doctor in the Bay area.  After various forms of treatment, they discovered IV therapy was the most effective, but was thousands of dollars a month, pay as you go. Depending on the combination of meds, Theo had anywhere from 2 to 5 IV bags a day, that took up to 8 hours a day to administer.

Desperate for health, the extensive cost and effort seemed worth it.  But with this came sacrifice. Theo and Shawn then rented out their home, borrowed a fifth wheel and lived in a trailer park for 6 months. 

To save even more, they later moved in with family.

Over time, he had noticeable improvement with IV therapy.  However, this improvement could be an uphill battle: often times, treatment made the already horrible symptoms worse, and sometimes much worse.  It has been described by some as how a cancer patient responds to chemo, horrible but worth it.  It was a roller coaster ride.

His pain was decreasing and other symptoms slowly began to get better. 

With more hope, he continued to fight.  He was so excited the day he went back to light duty work, but after a few months his body crashed; fatigue and pain returned and his doctor told him he had to stop.

Then came the day when a blood clot developed in his arm, his PICC line (a permanent IV line) was pulled, and IV treatment was stopped.  It was a setback; but he remained positive and a new PICC was placed. 

He later developed a much larger life threatening blood clot a couple days before the Christmas of 2014.   

A couple months later he had to have a rib removed to prevent future blood clots from returning.  From now on all future PICCS and IV meds were off the table.  The doctors considered a port (direct line to the heart), but with his clotting history he was too high of a risk.  

From here less helpful oral medication was given; causing him to slip further away from "feeling better".

Without the meds however; he was even worse.

Over a year later, Shawn heard of an office practicing Functional Medicine in Reno. A local lady, who had fought a long hard battle with Lyme, had greatly benefited from the combined treatments of the Tick-borne Disease doctor and this Functional doctor.  With Theo’s progress at a standstill, they scheduled a consult appointment.  Shawn even took on a second job with a home-based business to pay for more treatment; but the job didn’t work out.

After renting their house out for two years, they decided they would have to sell their home once their tenant’s lease was up. 

Although they had made a dent in their debt through rent received, they knew it wasn’t enough. This was a big, hard decision but they could pay down their debt and start this new, also expensive, treatment. He also maintained visits with his doctor in San Francisco. 

Between the two offices, he was making more progress than he had in a long time! 

Although he still had pain and fatigue, many symptoms were improving.  Hope was rising!

Then Theo’s Mom was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. 2015 was another very hard Christmas.  Less than two months later she passed.  He was devastated and heartbroken. The passing of his mom hit hard, but a few months later things got even worse. They knew the house needed to go on the market soon. Their realtor recommended improvements before listing; they began the process of making their already renovated home even more beautiful. 

It was in the midst of this process that a strong depression hit TR.  

In addition to the loss of his Mom, all the losses over the years were at the forefront of his mind: health, dreams of a family put on hold, work, friendships, time, money, leaving their home and now having to say goodbye to their home.  With this overwhelming depression, later came debilitating anxiety attacks. This was new.  His Lyme disease also took a turn for the worse; more symptoms flared.  Funds grew even tighter.  Paying a mortgage again didn’t help.
 
His doctor made it very clear that he would only be set back more if he did not get rid of the big stresses in his life.  

It wasn’t until recently, after the stress of improving their home had already taken a huge toll; they realized the loss of their house was one of his biggest triggers. They relayed this to his doctor; who highly recommended that Theo stay in their house without the pressure to sell.  Without this big stress he would have more of a chance to work through his depression and anxiety.  Treatment would also be more effective.  Unfortunately their means of paying for treatment were exhausted.  Without treatment, he had an increase in pain, fatigue and other symptoms, also making the depression worse.  It was a no-win situation.

Theo and Shawn could really use your help!  With your help, they could stay in their home long enough to relieve some stress, pay down some debt, and start treatment again.  Also, they have long hoped to someday start a family. Because of this disease, Theo’s sperm count is low. They would like to retest, and be able to freeze sperm for the future. This too costs. Future surgery has also been recommended due to his arthritis. God willing, if they receive enough support, maybe they could even keep their home. They would be so grateful for prayers and any amount you can contribute to help during the hardest time in their lives.

***Leslie McGraw, Shawn's aunt, will be in charge of all donations received and making paments for the Webbs.***

“I want everyone to know I was a healthy and happy man.  I was with the woman meant for me and we were going to start our family. Then came Lyme disease.  It has stopped me for now, but not for good. I am going to give my all to beat this disease.  I want my life back. I will be forever grateful for your help and forever in your debt.”     Sincerely, Theo Webb


Lyme disease is caused by a stealthy spirochete bacteria (like syphilis) from a tick bite and can mimic many diseases. Symptoms can vary greatly from patient to patient and to different degrees. It is widely misunderstood and under-researched, especially when Lyme is not be cured by a quick dose of antibiotics. Treatment for this type of “Persistent” or Chronic Lyme can be controversial and, often times, is not covered by insurance.  There have been many attempts with state law and government representatives to change this, but with little headway through the years. Recently a bill was passed by the House of Representatives to address problems not acknowledged by the CDC, and improve diagnosis and treatment.