Sarah Rose Fights Lyme!

GoFundMe Update

I would like to thank all of those who have already donated and supported me through my ongoing journey.
This fundraiser was started in 2017, and the support I have received touched my heart and my life.  Thank you!

Unfortunately, GoFundMe no longer allows donor levels, so I am unable to offer the afghans or thank you notes as a thank you for your donation.  I still have multiple afghans available, so if you are still interested in receiving one of those, please let me know and we may be able to figure something out!

I would also like to say thank you to Ali Hoxie and WXYZ Channel 7 Detroit to giving me the opportunity to share my story.  If I can help just one person, then I have done what I set out to do!


Picture- David gave me a violin for my 35th birthday.  I have wanted to learn how to play since I was a child.  I hope as I recover and get stronger, I will be able to learn and practice more consistently!


Introduction 

First and foremost, thank you so much for taking the time to look at my page!

Even the smallest of donations is a blessing, so thank you!

If you are unable to donate, please share my GoFundMe any way you can,  every single share makes a difference!


My name is Sarah Rose (McCarthy) Baran. I have Lyme Disease, which has completely taken over my life.   I am a Special Education Teacher by trade, and I have taught in several states and countries.  Teaching has been my life.  I have loved working with my students, helping them learn and grow as individuals.

Due to the complications of Lyme, I had to stop teaching at the end of the 2016 school year. I miss teaching and look forward to the day when I am healthy enough to go back to work!


♡ Picture- Crocheting has helped keep me sane!



Pictures- The Kitties (Luna and Mila) LOVE helping me crochet!

I am raising money to pay for treatment, most not covered by insurance, for Lyme disease.


My Story

- My Diagnosis

When I was about 6 or 7, we discovered a bullseye rash on my thigh.  My mom, concerned about Lyme Disease, took me to my pediatrician.  The doctor did a blood test, which came back negative, and I was not treated for Lyme.

Around age 14, I began experiencing bruising and petechiae (little red spots caused by broken blood vessels under the skin.)  My pediatrician sent me to the hospital to see the Oncology Specialist where I was put through a ton of tests including a bone marrow aspiration (OUCH!).  The pediatrician mentioned to my mom that we might want to take another look at Lyme, but she was so concerned with the possibility of Leukemia the suggestion of Lyme went right over her head. Thankfully, I didn’t have cancer, but was diagnosed with Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP).  Basically, my platelet cells were being destroyed.   Things had gotten pretty scary, but after several years of treatments, the ITP went into remission.

We now know that the ITP was caused by the undiagnosed Lyme. Every so often, Lyme symptoms would pop up and cause problems.  But for the most part, due to sheer stubbornness, I was able to overcome most of the problems and tried to continue on with my life. Even with some pretty severe symptoms (including problems concentrating, recalling information, depression, and severe anxiety), I was able to complete my BA in Education from Michigan State University (GO GREEN!), begin my teaching career, and even complete two MA in Education programs (one in Autism Education and one in Teaching English as a Second Language).

Unfortunately, my stubbornness and goal oriented mindset was not enough to overcome all of my symptoms. Within the last 7 years, my symptoms began to become more severe and began to significantly interfere with my life. I began searching for help, and even though I was routinely dismissed by doctors and misdiagnosed, I continued to go from doctor to doctor, specialist to specialist, until I finally found a couple of doctors who not only believed my symptoms, but had seen them before and treated them.

By the time I found my current doctor I told him I was afraid I was going to lose my career in teaching, my husband, and possibly my life. (I wish I were over exaggerating, but sadly, I am not.) In December 2015, I finally received my Lyme Diagnosis.

I was able to take 5 weeks off in February and March of 2016 to start treatment. 
I did EVERYTHING I was told to do by my doctor, but as I have had Lyme for so long, 5 weeks of treatment didn’t even make a dent in recovery. 



Picture- IV Therapy 


I (barely) finished out the 2015-2016 school year. I was put on FMLA leave.  I applied for, and was denied, Long Term Disability Insurance through work.   I found an attorney and appealed the Long Term Disability decision, but that was also denied. That was very difficult to hear, as we have been hoping and praying for a little help to pay for treatments. 

Thankfully, in January 2018,  we won a small settlement from the Long Term Disability!  The settlement was enough to cover all of my outstanding medical debt, at that time! 


Picture- Trying to survive to the end of the school year.
I was EXHAUSTED, and could barely keep my eyes open.

- The Impact

My major symptoms have been Memory Loss, Severe Pain (Fibromyalgia), and Severe Fatigue (Chronic Fatigue Disorder). I was making some pretty big mistakes in my teaching job, fortunately, I had a great support system that helped keep problems to a minimum. To say I was exhausted is an understatement.  I was sleeping a minimum of 10 to 11 hours a night, barely functioning at work, and then sleeping most of the weekend.  I was in survival mode, but it wasn’t working very well. I was also in a lot of pain.  Everywhere.  All the time.  The muscle relaxers and pain pills my doctor gave me didn’t help a lot, but I just kept pushing forward. Memory problems had gotten so severe that others had started making comments.  On top of all that, I began struggling to read, write, and speak.  I got REALLY scared when I began to get lost while driving.


- My Days

Most days I sleep an average of 12 hours.  I am pretty limited in what I can do, and often have to make a choice and prioritize what I am going to do in a day.  For example, some days I am lucky if I can take a shower and reheat food for dinner.  I am pretty restricted to the house. I do what I can, and try to take advantage of my good days by shopping, doing bills, trying to clean, or even just get out of the house. I spend a lot of time crocheting, as it gives me something to do, helps the time go by, and makes me feel productive. Mostly, I am focusing on staying positive, and hopeful.

Lyme Disease will NOT define the rest of my life.

I will get better.

I will be able to work.

And I will find a way to use this chapter of my life to help others!!!!!



Current Treatments

My current treatments include a daily detox regimen, a specific Lyme protocol called the Cowden Protocol, a restricted allergy diet, infrared sauna therapy, and several other at home treatments to help with Lymphedema and other symptoms.
There are additional treatments my doctor would like to try, including chelation and additional detox protocols, and thanks to this fundraiser, I will be able to start trying some of them! 


Picture- Daily Meds (It makes my head spin and takes an hour to set up the medicine for the week.)


Background

I am very fortunate to have such an amazing husband, David.  When the doctor told us I would be unable to work, as treatment tends to make symptoms worse, he left his college program, found a job, and started working.   Even though it has been a lot on his shoulders, he hasn’t complained, and does his best to help take care of me.



Picture David and I (with the Infrared Sauna in the corner)



Picture- Through Everything, the good days and the not so good days, David is my rock.  This was one of the good days!


The Finances

Unfortunately, insurance does not cover most of my medical expenses. Initial treatment costs averaged $1000 a month.  This included all medications, IV therapy, doctor’s appointments, and travel costs. I also had to pay out of pocket for some blood work, that insurance refused to cover, this averaged anywhere from $400 to $800 depending on the test. There are also numerous co-pays that we have had to pay to see a number of specialists and had many tests, x-rays, and labs.


With the money raised from this fundraiser, I will pay for current medical treatments, pay off some prior treatments (medical related debt), and will be able to start some new treatments.

Current Treatment Costs

Detox Regimen- $200+ per month
Cowden Protocol- $350 to $650 per month
Microbe Formulas Detox Protocol- $1400 for 4 months (Hopefully I will not need to continue this treatment!)

LDI (immune therapy shot)- $75 every 7 weeks (I have had to stop this treatment and office visits due to financial constraints, but would like to begin it again.)
Office Visit- $120 every 7 weeks (This does not include any of the transportation costs, co-pays from my primary physician (who runs as many tests as she can for my treating doctor), rheumatologist, or neurology. This also does not factor in any of the additional supplements or co-pays for regular medications.)

Picture- The reaction to LDI (Immunotherapy).  Not a fun treatment to go through, but it is supposed to be very effective. 


Thank you for taking the time to read my story.

I appreciate each and every person who has reached out to me to share their stories and please continue to share you stories with me.

Thank you!