Brianna's Medical Journey
Donation protected
Brianna means strong!
Brianna's name means strong, and strong is what she has had to be having lived with a debilitating disease most of her life. It wasn't until about a year ago that her condition was finally diagnosed. It wasn't the numerous doctor visits, psychiatrist sessions or counsellor appointments, but a dear friend who is a counsellor that suggested that her struggle might be attributed to an autoimmune condition known as PANDAS.
PANDAS is an acronym for an inflammation of the brain caused by a strep virus that never completely healed as a child. The manifestations include severe OCD symptoms, bouts of anxiety, panic attacks, chronic fatigue, and the list goes on. Sure enough she tested positive for this condition and received some relief recognizing that there was a cause for the condition that had encased her since shortly after kindergarten.
Because of her strength and resolve, she was able to function in spite of those symptoms that plagued her through high school and even two years of college. However, in the last two years the situation progressed to the point where she now spends most of her days in bed, no longer able to go to school or hold down a job.
Since that time we have pursued medical and natural treatments costing thousands of dollars, and being a pre existing condition and a mental health issue her treatments have all been out of pocket. Recently, with input from her grandmother in Canada we spent two weeks at a clinic in Wichita Kansas known as the "Mayo Clinic of the Naturopathic Realm" in which we racked up hotel and other expenses in addition to the cost of the treatment there.
Throughout all of this we continue to press forward knowing that God is faithful to bring to pass what He has promised, and we have great expectations for her future. She has at times seen glimpses of what is to come, as she has been prayed for and ministered to.
God has called her to do great things and so we ask you to join us in her healing journey through believing together with us and if you are able, contributing whatever you feel led to, to her cause. We look forward to rejoicing together in the future as she steps into the wholeness God has promised to her and wrought within her.
Brianna's name means strong, and strong is what she has had to be having lived with a debilitating disease most of her life. It wasn't until about a year ago that her condition was finally diagnosed. It wasn't the numerous doctor visits, psychiatrist sessions or counsellor appointments, but a dear friend who is a counsellor that suggested that her struggle might be attributed to an autoimmune condition known as PANDAS.
PANDAS is an acronym for an inflammation of the brain caused by a strep virus that never completely healed as a child. The manifestations include severe OCD symptoms, bouts of anxiety, panic attacks, chronic fatigue, and the list goes on. Sure enough she tested positive for this condition and received some relief recognizing that there was a cause for the condition that had encased her since shortly after kindergarten.
Because of her strength and resolve, she was able to function in spite of those symptoms that plagued her through high school and even two years of college. However, in the last two years the situation progressed to the point where she now spends most of her days in bed, no longer able to go to school or hold down a job.
Since that time we have pursued medical and natural treatments costing thousands of dollars, and being a pre existing condition and a mental health issue her treatments have all been out of pocket. Recently, with input from her grandmother in Canada we spent two weeks at a clinic in Wichita Kansas known as the "Mayo Clinic of the Naturopathic Realm" in which we racked up hotel and other expenses in addition to the cost of the treatment there.
Throughout all of this we continue to press forward knowing that God is faithful to bring to pass what He has promised, and we have great expectations for her future. She has at times seen glimpses of what is to come, as she has been prayed for and ministered to.
God has called her to do great things and so we ask you to join us in her healing journey through believing together with us and if you are able, contributing whatever you feel led to, to her cause. We look forward to rejoicing together in the future as she steps into the wholeness God has promised to her and wrought within her.
Organizer and beneficiary
Gil Heckel
Organizer
Columbia, MO
Brianna Heckel
Beneficiary