Alzheimer’s, Lyme or both? #AshleyConqueringLyme

Update from this past year (11/15/21)

For any of you that know of Ashley's history with her diagnosis of Chronic late-stage Lyme Disease the infectious disease that is now being cited as equivalent to cancer, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/lyme-the-infectious-disea_b_9243460 Ashley was diagnosed in September of 2020, but had debilitating symptoms months prior. Here is an update of what has been happening since then:


Since the initial diagnosis of Chronic Lyme diagnosis https://findyourhealthyplace.com/lyme-disease/
Ashley has also been diagnosed with Bartonella and Babesia (Co-infections of Lyme Disease), Neuro-Cognitive Disorder, Mycotoxin illness (her levels of mold in her body are 4-5x higher than average), and CIRS. These additional illnesses are their own nightmare causing similar debilitating symptoms that Chronic Lyme causes. 


One might ask what mold has to do with her prognoses. Well, Ashley recently tested her apartment for mold. It came back with a high moldiness index/very unhealthy. She and her family are currently working with her landlord to remediate. Still, she has yet to get a response from her landlord as to what they will do to help solve this issue. This has been one additional stress on top of everything else. She and her family may have to move, and can't afford to move.


Ashley had a Neurologist appt in November of 2020. She did some initial testing, and that test returned that she was 1 point off from having early Alzheimer's!!! She recently did a 3-hour long neuro-psych evaluation as a follow-up to this test. It was found that she has a mild neurocognitive disorder (Short term memory loss, executive functioning deficit, word-finding issues, and trouble processing information). Treatment can help this from progressing. 


With the continued treatments she is on currently, and with the work of her Lyme Dr., she is healing, and progress is being made; yet, because financial stress exacerbates her illnesses even more, with your help, she will be able to fight all of this and regain some of herself back--anything you can help with means the difference of her getting back into society. 


She is still unable to work due to the debilitating effects of all of her illnesses/diseases. Ashley still uses a motorized scooter on the rare
times she goes to the grocery store. She has recently received a disability parking plaque thanks to her fantastic Doctor's help and support. We ask for your help to pay for the continuation of Ashley's medical care as this illness is not covered by her insurance and is almost
entirely out of pocket. 


Here is what she could use help with: 


-If you feel more inclined to donate directly to her medical fund. In that case, you can do so by contacting Bear Creek Naturopathic Clinic in Medford, Oregon. You can donate whatever amount you can by credit card over the phone or check by mail. It will go towards Doctor's appointments and medications. On average, Ashley spends $800-$1400 a month on her treatments just alone at Bear Creek Naturopathic Clinic; this does not include all the other things she uses and does to heal from this terrible illness. We also found out that you can be refunded this money if, for some reason, Ashley no longer needs to be taking so many pills, which we hope is sooner than later! 


-Another option is to send Ashley Epson salt. She uses Solimo Epsom salt, plain Epsom salt not scented. This can be purchased through Amazon and delivered straight to Ashley each month as a recurring or 1-time shipment. If this is something you want to help with, reach out to Ashley for her address. Epsom salt baths are great for detoxing. As Ashley continues treatment, detox is an essential part of her healing
journey. With all these modalities, it is pretty expensive, and she still needs our help. 


-Or you can send grub hub gift cards for food as it is very often hard for her to cook meals for her family. So this would be a great big help!
You can email Grub Hub gift cards to Ashley at [email redacted]  
 

-And of course, Venmo Ashley at @Ashley-Shambaugh-1 for a direct donation to her.


-If you prefer to use the go fund platform for donation, that is great; she appreciates any and all help she can get. 


*****Ashley's Lyme Dr. says she is near remission, but we don't know how much longer she will be on this intensive treatment plan she is on currently. Your help has got her this far; let's keep helping so she can fully heal and move into remission!


 1) GIVE whatever you can. No donation is too small!

2) SHARE on social media (often) with all your contacts: https://gofund.me/01d5b6fc

3) EMAIL or text this link to your contacts: https://gofund.me/01d5b6fc

4) FOLLOW Ashley on Instagram: #Ashleythelymeslayer 


 




 

Original Go fund me from 2020:

Ashley, our beloved family member and friend, has been challenged by a myriad of health issues this year, and she needs our help. 


For the past year/months, Ashley has been struggling with increasingly severe and seemingly random symptoms every day: migrating joint pain, memory loss, severe muscle pain, debilitating weakness in her extremities, nerve symptoms of burning, numbness, tingling, shooting pains, gastrointestinal issues, anxiety/panic attacks, decreased appetite, migraine-like headaches, skin rashes. After a number of health emergencies, cancer scares, MRIs, and tests, there was still no clear answer, just a growing uncertainty - both about what was happening in her body but also about how it would affect her and her family’s future. 


After being diagnosed with an unknown autoimmune disease in June 2020. Ashley did her research and asked to be tested for Lyme disease as her symptoms were all in line with several autoimmune diseases as well as Lyme disease. Her test came back positive for late Lyme disease. and Babesia. This diagnosis brings little clarity or comfort. Insurance will not cover her treatments (info on controversy and challenges in treating Lyme  ); the lack of medical consensus around the disease makes it hard to know what to expect. While daunting, it seems realistic to say that it may take years to fully recover.


Ashley is no longer able to work, due to her myriad of symptoms. Even day-to-day tasks, like making dinner, doing the dishes, being with her kids, can be incredibly difficult. If you know Ashley, you can imagine what an immense mental and emotional challenge this creates for her. 


Ashley has worked so hard to get to where she is; after becoming a mother in 2011, she earned three college degrees, including a masters in conflict resolution, working as a single mother for most of those years. She is loyal, hard-working and honest. She is a giver, a positive presence in this world. If you know Ashley, you know how just being around her makes you feel special. When she realized her son was suffering from multiple life-threatening allergies, she learned to bake and became an amazing allergy-friendly baker. She has given her time throughout the years as a volunteer for multiple organizations that are dear to her heart. Despite the fact that she manages her family with very little income, Ashley has always found a way to support her family and friends in need, even if she was only able to spare $15. 


Now, she needs us. Everything in her life - her goals and plans for the future - is on hold while she focuses on her health, and meeting the basic needs of her family. Ashley has already spent thousands of dollars just at these beginning stages of her treatment.  Now that she is no longer able to work, the small savings she had is already about wiped out. She’s struggling to pay for basic necessities like rent and food, and still facing (and accumulating) costly, on-going medical expenses. She is in a very vulnerable spot. 


Ashley believes this current struggle is just a minor detour in her life - her fierce positivity, she’s always had a positive outlook on life, is on full display even during this distressing time. She is determined to continue to learn and grow as she and her family navigate this storm. The hope she has is what truly makes her a remarkable human being. 


We want to see Ashley smile again. To help get her to remission, we hope to raise $25,000, money that will help pay her medical expenses and help cover her and her family’s living expenses. 


We recognize that 2020 has been a tough year for so many. We are forever grateful and appreciate any monetary amount you are willing to donate.  


With gratitude, 


Rachel, Brandon, Rob, Kai, Caelum, Dori and Ashley


This is what your donation will help cover: 

-Doctor Visits  

-Antibiotics/Medications 

-Misc. Treatments

-Vitamins/Supplements to support antibiotic treatment

-IV therapy


YOU can help pave a brand new path for Ashley so she can heal and recover from this life threatening illness! Please help in any or all of the following ways!

1) GIVE whatever you can. No donation is too small!

2) SHARE on social media (often) with all your contacts: gf.me/u/y6d3hu

3) EMAIL this link to all your contacts: gf.me/u/y6d3hu 

4) DONATE DIRECTLY You can send Ashley your donation to her Venmo account if you'd prefer: @Ashley-Shambaugh-1

5) FOLLOW Ashley on Instagram: #Ashleythelymeslayer 

Below are some pictures of Ashley and her family when she was healthy.