A Long and Difficult Health Journey
About three years ago, Mom began experiencing significant health problems that would change her life in ways none of us could have anticipated. After nearly a year of extensive testing, she was diagnosed with fibromyalgia and Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a condition that causes severe, persistent pain.
Throughout that first year, Mom asked her doctors to test her for Lyme disease on three separate occasions, but each blood test came back negative. She tried a pain medication, hoping for relief, but unfortunately experienced rare and frightening side effects, including short-term memory loss and blister-like spots on her lower legs. These experiences left her understandably hesitant to try additional medications.
Still searching for answers, Mom eventually sought help from a naturopathic doctor. After reviewing her medical history and conducting additional testing, the doctor diagnosed her with Lyme disease, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, and four parasitic infections.
Getting treatment has been a difficult road in itself. The cost of care was overwhelming from the beginning, and financial limitations delayed the start of treatment. Mom and Dad did everything they could to make it work, but treatment brought additional health complications and even more unexpected expenses.
During her first year of treatment, Mom was hospitalized for three days and underwent exploratory surgery. Sadly, even after all of that, the cause of her pain remained undetermined.
Today, Mom continues to live with CRPS, which causes persistent, intense pain in her legs, hips, and ribcage. She describes it as feeling deeply bruised and painfully tender. Although she has experienced these symptoms for much of her life, it was only during her initial year of testing that they were formally diagnosed.
Her journey is far from over. She still needs ongoing care and treatment, and once her treatment is complete, Dad will also need medical care for Lyme disease and other health concerns.
The Financial Burden Is Growing
As if navigating this difficult health journey weren’t enough, the financial strain on our family continues to grow.
Mom and Dad do not have insurance coverage for these treatments, leaving them to pay significant medical expenses out of pocket. They have relied on credit cards to cover the cost of care because finding answers and getting Mom the treatment she needs has been too important to give up on.
Unfortunately, medical expenses aren’t the only unexpected costs they’ve faced. Unexpected vehicle repairs have added yet another financial burden, creating additional expenses that are difficult to manage while already trying to keep up with mounting medical bills. Reliable transportation is essential for getting to appointments, completing everyday responsibilities, and maintaining some sense of normalcy through all of this.
Dad is our family’s sole source of income, and he is doing everything he can to keep things together while supporting Mom through her health challenges. But the cost of living, medical treatment, and unexpected repairs have become increasingly difficult to manage. Some days, Mom and Dad genuinely don’t know how they will catch up financially.
It is heartbreaking to see two people who have worked so hard and cared for so many others struggling under the weight of circumstances they never expected.
Now It’s Our Turn to Help
My mom has spent so much of her life caring for others, giving her time, offering help, and making sure the people around her are taken care of. She has never been someone who asks for much for herself. Even now, she continues to face each day as best she can while dealing with pain and uncertainty.
We are starting this fundraiser to help ease some of the financial pressure on Mom and Dad so they can focus more on health, healing, and getting through each day without constantly worrying about how they will pay for everything.
Every donation, no matter the amount, will make a difference. Contributions will help with medical treatments, healthcare-related expenses, unexpected vehicle repairs, and other essential living costs that have become harder to manage during this challenging time.
If you are unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with others would mean just as much to us. Every share helps spread the word and gives more people the opportunity to support our family.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for taking the time to read Mom’s story, for keeping our family in your thoughts and prayers, and for any support you can offer.
Mom has spent a lifetime being there for others. Now, we hope to surround her and Dad with that same kindness, love, and generosity when they need it most.
Thank you for helping us give back to someone who has given so much.