Help a Syster Out: Lauren Continues to Fight Bell's Palsy

Hi! To all of you who have already answered this call and donated to her, I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart and Lauren's. This is Tracy Barrientos and you may have met me recently at Go Girl Saugatuck or Cinema Systers in Paducah. I also worked stage security at the Michigan Womyn's Musical Festival for 25 years. I'm reaching out again today on behalf of my dear friend Lauren Mentzel. You may know her from last year at BMG, production crews, or you might remember seeing her on the Land working Gaia Girls or the raffle in her colorful tutu, or moving large instruments and equipment from one stage to another. Lauren has always been one to lend a hand whenever and wherever needed.

Right now, Lauren needs our help to achieve this financial goal. We didn't reach the goal last fall, but we will keep trying because she just can't seem to catch a break. After gaining some steady freelance work, Lauren has now been stricken with Covid, causing her to cancel much needed work this week and next, as she recovers. Last fall, Lauren was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy. One minute she was filming for BMG, and the next, she returned home stricken with paralysis along the right side of her face. She was unable to close her eye, and her mouth was swollen to the point she couldn't speak. She received medical attention but her pain from her Bell's Palsy, her headaches, needing to see doctors and other health professionals around the clock, left her unable to work.

Some of the treatments she's had since last October: two-week doses of antibiotics for Lyme disease, 2 weeks of steroids and an anti-viral. Still the side of her face continues to be swollen and painful. Her primary care doctor confirmed her number seven facial nerve was affected, causing intense pain in her eardrum, behind her ear, up both sides of her face, and in her jaw. Covid is just increasing the pain. She continues to receive acupuncture when she can, E Stem treatments to pulse her face with electricity, supplements, ibuprofen, and massage, again, when she can. In July she will have an MRI and a second appointment with her neurologist.

It is challenging to ask for financial help, but that is what she could use the most right now and so we are launching this campaign one more time. Please tribe, friends, family send whatever amount you can spare. Any amount you donate would help deter these costs these upcoming weeks and allow her to rest and focus on beating the remaining Bell's palsy and the current Covid.

Forever grateful.

Tracy Barrientos on behalf of Lauren Mentzel