“God Will Make a Way!” ~ Christy’s RSD-CRPS Fight

Hi, I am Philip Eccles. God gave me a most joy-filled honor when He paired me with my Christian wife/partner/helper, Christy, while entrusting me to hold her heart and love her as Christ loves the church. Our wedding was mid-Summer 2023; how we found each other is an amazing love story that continues to this day. Christy revealed, very early in our dating, that she was on disability with this disease I had never heard of, having been in remission (not pain free) for about ten years. This syndrome is the most painful incurable disease in the world that was called RSD at the time of diagnosis (Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy) and is now called CRPS (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome). This syndrome causes the nervous system to have misfires in communicating with cells, leaving patients feeling pain like they're being fileted by a knife, burned alive, having boiling oil poured over the affected limb(s) or entire body, and having bones crushed. The syndrome can be fatal. It often takes years for the medical community to make a diagnosis since there is no test which indicates the disease is present, meanwhile they wonder if their patient’s pain is real, or imagined. She can have symptoms like a TIA, all the while coherent, and doctors unfamiliar with her want to place her in an ICU immediately. Needles and a light touch can cause excruciating pain and spreading, so I am her advocate in healthcare due to my familiarity with her condition.

Christy had a flareup five days before our wedding day due to an injury, and has progressively gotten worse to where she cannot walk even a few feet without experiencing severe pain, and is stuck in her wheelchair or in bed. I am her caregiver at night, attempting to provide comfort as best I can. Our dreams for our life together have been shattered and we see worsening changes as each day passes. As her husband, I would do anything to help her get better. There are a limited variety of therapies available, all with high risks and little or no benefit. These therapies are contraindicated for Christy. We have explored many different avenues, feeling helpless and hopeless. One thing we do know is our hope is in God! Christy is always saying, “God will make a way for us to get there!” Her faith is strong!

We found a clinic that is the only one in the world specializing in CRPS treatment; there are many different treatments available, with the regimen tailored to obtain the best individual response. Due to the disease rarity and the research and developmental nature of the therapies, insurance does not cover patient care. It is estimated that Christy will need 5 months of intense care to reset her central nervous system, costing $70,000. She may be able to run, ride bikes (or as she says, ride a tricycle), even undergo surgery if ever needed without causing a flareup after this time! We could have our life, expanding our amazing love story beyond its very healthy state. We will move 600 miles further from family to do this. I will need to be her caregiver for all-day treatments Monday-Thursday for at least a month while trying to secure a job to support us. To secure a spot in the program, the immediate need is for a $2,500 deposit (needed now to secure a spot starting April 8th), and $7,000 to move there at the end of March, plus an estimated $5,000 to keep bills paid, buy groceries and gas until I can get a full-time job and not be her daily caregiver. We have exhausted all funds due to uncovered medical care for the last three years. To raise awareness, we would appreciate your help in making our needs go viral by sharing this message with everyone you know.

That is why we’ve created this GoFundMe page for those immediate needs. The platform will charge us 8% to use it, plus all gifts are considered taxable income to us, so we must “over-raise” to compensate for those expenses. Keep tuned in for updates on tax-deductible healthcare contributions.

Please know that we could not possibly thank you enough for your contributions, prayers and support as we face this beast head on! With God all things are possible! Matthew 19:26

#RSD/CRPS WARRIOR #FIND A CURE #CHRISTY'S RSD/CRPS FIGHT #GOD WILL MAKE A WAY! #NEVER GIVE UP!