Help Marlene Edden Beat Dysautonomia's Odds

Hi, my name is Terri McKenzie and I'm raising money to help my friend, Marlene Edden. Marlene's greatest joy is to give to others. But now she is the one in need. Marlene and her family came to this country legally to help an ill family member. In 2011, toward the end of an extended pursuit of U.S. citizenship, they received their required immunizations. Within the next two weeks, Marlene began having mysterious symptoms that gradually became worse and increasingly puzzling. Years later she was finally given an accurate diagnosis: Dysautonomia with POTS (Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome). Currently, there is no cure for Dysautonomia, only management.

At present, the condition carries a poor long-term prognosis, but Marlene remains hopeful. However, her treatment involves seeing a host of specialists, many of whom do not take Medicaid, in an attempt to control her symptoms, which include extreme generalized pain, migraines, gastroparesis, tachycardia, low blood pressure, fainting, dizziness, insomnia, and false sensations of cold. She has had to undergo multiple ER cardioversions.

Because of Dysautonomia's unpredictable nature, Marlene had to leave her job at Publix, cutting the family's income significantly.

Marlene does best with a combined treatment approach of traditional medicine and functional neurology. Her current treatment needs amount to at least $15,000 per year. This includes regular follow-ups with her functional neurology and neurofeedback specialists, as well as follow-up with her Dysautonomia M.D. and rental of the equipment necessary for daily neurofeedback sessions at home, which help Marlene significantly.

I have accompanied Marlene to almost all of her medical appointments and have stayed with her for two out-of-town, week-long therapy sessions at the Neurological Wellness Institute, where she has experienced tremendous relief. But she needs continued care to maintain that relief.

Please consider giving any amount you can to support Marlene throughout her very difficult journey. She is such a giving person and the world will be so much better off with her continued smile, joy, and compassion. In her days before Dysautonomia, Marlene volunteered in various church service opportunities and taught classes at the Indian River Economic Opportunities Council to help the impoverished become self-sufficient. She is no longer able to do this physically but would love to return to work and service if she can manage her condition well enough. In helping Marlene, you are truly helping the community that needs her. To learn more about the journey she is walking through, you can visit Marlene's Dysautonomia Journey page on Facebook. https://www.facebook.com/marlenesdysautonomiajourney/

Thank you so much for your support and prayers! I know she appreciates every donation and is grateful for whatever can be given.