Help Hailey Fight Lyme
Donation protected
My name is Hailey Badovinac, and this is my story.
Three years ago, I never thought I’d be where I am today. They say when you hit 25, you should be at the peak of your health. Personally, I saw myself at 25 with a career I love, a vibrant social life, traveling, making art and waking up early for morning runs. Not impractical at all for a person who regularly ate well, worked hard, participated in triathlons and climbed mountains. My health was the least of my concerns.
Since becoming ill three years ago, Lyme disease has impacted every area of my life. It’s not only affected my mind and body, but also my career, art, and even my relationships--all of which has been put on the backburner as I struggle to combat my deteriorating quality of life. It’s baffling to think that this downward spiral was caused by a tiny tick bite that slipped under the radar.
What could have been a small, easily treatable infection, instead grew to become late stage Lyme disease. I wish it had been diagnosed and treated earlier, but this is the reality I face, as antibiotics will no longer solve the problem. Now I must deal with health complications post-tick bite and the toll it has taken on my body.
What does a typical day look like now?
I wake up feeling exhausted, and have aches and pain through my entire body. It’s like a hangover coupled with the flu. But this is every, single day. I take my morning medications and supplements, and if I can muster the energy, I stretch or go for a 10-minute walk. I make a healthy smoothie and meditate, or go outside. I might need a blood test before I eat though, or else I’m setting up another appointment in Chicago. By this time, even after coffee, the brain fog settles in, a haze that makes working, concentrating on simple tasks, and remembering things in the short-term difficult. But l try to complete as much work as I can while the pain is still bearable. Then, back to the medicine cabinet for lunch medications, and a break from work so I can massage or ice my neck. Sometimes, though, the pain is so crippling that the only thing I can do is hold myself in a fetal position.
On other days, I carry on at coffee shops, desperate for a change of pace. I meet with friends with a smile, because although I may not look sick, it’s too uncomfortable for others to see me in a worse state, and I’m too tired to explain how shitty I feel.
When night comes, I take my medications again, and hope that I’ll be comfortable enough to fall asleep, knowing that tomorrow is a new day.
My friend with Lyme disease once commented that depression and loneliness are only two of many symptoms that those living with chronic lyme disease have, yet are rarely discussed or even acknowledged. No one prepares you for that, let alone the years of frustration due to ongoing symptoms without a diagnosis; or the time, money and energy spent on finding a trustworthy doctor, undergoing treatment, and its inevitable herxing.
So what’s the cure?
By now, I’m sure you’re wondering if there’s a cure. Despite all strides in Western medicine, there’s still no magic pill or one-path recovery for Chronic Lyme disease. Further, every Lyme-literate medical doctor has their own unique approach.
After finally finding the right team of doctors, connecting with dozens of people through social media who have cured themselves from this “incurable” disease, and reading countless books, I’ve reached a point where I know that, although my path is winding and full of obstacles, through faith in my own will and the right help, I, too, can rid myself of Lyme disease. I, too, will get my health and life back.
In order to overcome Lyme disease, I take 30 daily supplements, follow a strict anti-inflammatory diet to reduce pain and control what the bacteria feeds on. I have countless medical visits, specialized IVs to boost my immune system, ozone therapy, antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and that’s just the start. I’ve tried everything from botox/steroid injections in my neck to acupuncture, and the total cost has amounted to well over $20,000.
Currently, I’m unable to keep up with work due to the decline in my health. My drive and determination to support myself and pay for medical bills has kept me going through hard times, but it is still not enough. Your donation will not only help pay for medical treatments, but it’ll also buy me much-needed time to heal.
I’m fighting like hell to survive, and I hope you’ll join me.
I’ve already grown to become stronger, more compassionate, and more aware of what I seek in life.
When I beat Lyme disease, I will double down on my efforts to tell my story and spread awareness on Lyme disease. No one deserves to go through this alone; I will do everything in my power to inspire those who suffer to fight for their health and never give up. And once I’m healthy and energized again, I will create a book to recount the stories of all the people I’ve met who have beat Lyme. Perhaps, through this, we’ll find patterns in effective treatments, and be one step closer to finding a cure.
Friends, thank you for listening. Although this is just one story and so many go unheard, it would mean the world to me if you donate, and/or share this story to bring Lyme disease into the light.
With much love,
Hailey
Three years ago, I never thought I’d be where I am today. They say when you hit 25, you should be at the peak of your health. Personally, I saw myself at 25 with a career I love, a vibrant social life, traveling, making art and waking up early for morning runs. Not impractical at all for a person who regularly ate well, worked hard, participated in triathlons and climbed mountains. My health was the least of my concerns.
Since becoming ill three years ago, Lyme disease has impacted every area of my life. It’s not only affected my mind and body, but also my career, art, and even my relationships--all of which has been put on the backburner as I struggle to combat my deteriorating quality of life. It’s baffling to think that this downward spiral was caused by a tiny tick bite that slipped under the radar.
What could have been a small, easily treatable infection, instead grew to become late stage Lyme disease. I wish it had been diagnosed and treated earlier, but this is the reality I face, as antibiotics will no longer solve the problem. Now I must deal with health complications post-tick bite and the toll it has taken on my body.
What does a typical day look like now?
I wake up feeling exhausted, and have aches and pain through my entire body. It’s like a hangover coupled with the flu. But this is every, single day. I take my morning medications and supplements, and if I can muster the energy, I stretch or go for a 10-minute walk. I make a healthy smoothie and meditate, or go outside. I might need a blood test before I eat though, or else I’m setting up another appointment in Chicago. By this time, even after coffee, the brain fog settles in, a haze that makes working, concentrating on simple tasks, and remembering things in the short-term difficult. But l try to complete as much work as I can while the pain is still bearable. Then, back to the medicine cabinet for lunch medications, and a break from work so I can massage or ice my neck. Sometimes, though, the pain is so crippling that the only thing I can do is hold myself in a fetal position.
On other days, I carry on at coffee shops, desperate for a change of pace. I meet with friends with a smile, because although I may not look sick, it’s too uncomfortable for others to see me in a worse state, and I’m too tired to explain how shitty I feel.
When night comes, I take my medications again, and hope that I’ll be comfortable enough to fall asleep, knowing that tomorrow is a new day.
My friend with Lyme disease once commented that depression and loneliness are only two of many symptoms that those living with chronic lyme disease have, yet are rarely discussed or even acknowledged. No one prepares you for that, let alone the years of frustration due to ongoing symptoms without a diagnosis; or the time, money and energy spent on finding a trustworthy doctor, undergoing treatment, and its inevitable herxing.
So what’s the cure?
By now, I’m sure you’re wondering if there’s a cure. Despite all strides in Western medicine, there’s still no magic pill or one-path recovery for Chronic Lyme disease. Further, every Lyme-literate medical doctor has their own unique approach.
After finally finding the right team of doctors, connecting with dozens of people through social media who have cured themselves from this “incurable” disease, and reading countless books, I’ve reached a point where I know that, although my path is winding and full of obstacles, through faith in my own will and the right help, I, too, can rid myself of Lyme disease. I, too, will get my health and life back.
In order to overcome Lyme disease, I take 30 daily supplements, follow a strict anti-inflammatory diet to reduce pain and control what the bacteria feeds on. I have countless medical visits, specialized IVs to boost my immune system, ozone therapy, antibiotics, oxygen therapy, and that’s just the start. I’ve tried everything from botox/steroid injections in my neck to acupuncture, and the total cost has amounted to well over $20,000.
Currently, I’m unable to keep up with work due to the decline in my health. My drive and determination to support myself and pay for medical bills has kept me going through hard times, but it is still not enough. Your donation will not only help pay for medical treatments, but it’ll also buy me much-needed time to heal.
I’m fighting like hell to survive, and I hope you’ll join me.
I’ve already grown to become stronger, more compassionate, and more aware of what I seek in life.
When I beat Lyme disease, I will double down on my efforts to tell my story and spread awareness on Lyme disease. No one deserves to go through this alone; I will do everything in my power to inspire those who suffer to fight for their health and never give up. And once I’m healthy and energized again, I will create a book to recount the stories of all the people I’ve met who have beat Lyme. Perhaps, through this, we’ll find patterns in effective treatments, and be one step closer to finding a cure.
Friends, thank you for listening. Although this is just one story and so many go unheard, it would mean the world to me if you donate, and/or share this story to bring Lyme disease into the light.
With much love,
Hailey
Organizer
Hailey Badovinac
Organizer
Grayslake, IL