Callie Sue's Battle Against Lyme

2017:

This story was written by Callie Sue's parents, Jimmy and Susan Wynn, regarding Callie Sue's medical treatment over the last several years.

About Callie Sue:

Our daughter, Callie Sue Wynn, was a 19-year-old freshman at Duke University, where she was studying Religion and Psychology, before she became sick. Callie has always loved learning. She loves reading and writing, especially poetry, and she has always been extremely active. She played soccer and ran track/cross country in high school, and she continued running in college at Duke University. She loves the Lord and truly desires for Him to be glorified in her life, and we are so proud of her for that!


Background:

Callie Sue was diagnosed with Lyme Disease and a parasite in February of 2016 after being extremely sick for 7 months following a mission trip to Nepal in the summer of 2015.


Lyme Disease is a bacterial infection that primarily infects the Central Nervous System: brain, spinal cord, and associated nerves. As a result, Callie Sue has been battling numerous symptoms for the better part of the last two years: blurry vision, tinnitus, hearing loss, TMJ, back and neck pain, nerve pain and numbness, arthritis, insomnia, and brain fog, among others.

Along with the parasite and subsequent Lyme diagnosis, Callie was found to have an additional parasite and 2 co-infections of Lyme Disease.

Lyme Disease suppresses the immune system, so she has also been battling chronic infections: pneumonia, mono, and sinus/ear infections.

Our daughter previously exercised a great deal, often running 50+ miles a week, but she is now unable to exercise due to a lack of energy and inflammation.

Callie Sue fully believes Psalm 84:11, which states, "No good thing does He [the Lord] withhold from those who walk uprightly." In some mysterious way, this illness is a blessing both for her good and God's glory. It is not simply that He is not withholding good things; rather, He is actually giving her something good through this sickness: a deeper revelation of Himself.

Why we are thankful for your help:

The vast majority of insurance companies do not acknowledge Chronic Lyme Disease. (Chronic Lyme occurs when Lyme Disease progresses beyond several rounds of antibiotic treatment, or when the bull’s eye rash is not present as a physical symptom to provide “evidence” of Lyme and so the initial rounds of antibiotics are not quickly received during the time-sensitive period following the contraction of the illness).  Almost all of our medical expenses over the past 2 years have been uninsured. Our family has had to bear the brunt of these costs that reach well into the six-figure range, with an estimate of that amount continuing as the battle goes on.


We have had treatment in 3 states, including multiple extended stays, and we expect this to continue in the future because our quest for healing is incomplete.


Your donations will help to offset some of the ongoing expenses and provide additional support for Callie Sue's battle with Lyme Disease. Your financial support will help with a wide range of expenses including IV treatment, medication and supplements, imaging (X-rays, MRIs, PET scans, etc.), extensive testing (blood panels), etc.