Life Saving Lyme Treatment for Susan Berking
Donation protected
My dear friend Susan has been suffering from Lyme disease for almost a decade. She and her family are saddled with debt and the disappointment of countless failed medical treatments, yet they have strong faith and hope for a cure. In the meantime, the disease has left her isolated, disabled and in despair. Together, we can help her get what she needs.
Susan is seeking to get her health back via a life-saving inpatient treatment program, the only one like it in the country. She desperately needs your help to make it possible. Susan has the opportunity to become a patient at a residential treatment center that specializes in chronic disease. Here she would receive intensive daily treatment and be assigned her own team of doctors. The center has a 90% success rate, and their approach has resulted in saving thousands of lives every year. Without this comprehensive treatment program, Susan’s life hangs in the balance, and her suffering and declining health will continue.
Fighting Lyme disease for over eight years has caused financial devastation as health insurers refuse to cover treatments and doctors. This disease is complicated and not well researched or understood despite the fact that it affects millions of people every year. The CDC ignores the need for research, improved testing, and insurance coverage. When Lyme is not caught early (which is the norm), people lose their jobs, homes, and eventually, it can cost them their lives. Susan and her husband Chuck have had to refinance their home, sell their car, use their life savings, and incur massive debt to pay for ongoing treatment.
About Susan
If you had met Susan nine years ago before Lyme disease struck her, you would have met a funny, warm, compassionate, generous and vivacious woman. Susan was a dedicated registered nurse caring for the sick and elderly in her community. She was and still is well loved for her big heart and caring nature.
Susan volunteered in animal shelters to heal the broken spirits of cats and dogs and helped to get them adopted. She saved endangered animals by patrolling the lakes of New Hampshire to protect baby loons. She treasured spending time with her friends and family and was known as “Auntie Susie” to all her friends’ kids, mentoring them as a trusted ally and confidant.
Susan was also a passionate cook and gardener and delighted in preparing beautiful meals for her friends and family. Susie was a giver and was always there when people needed her. This disease has compromised all these aspects of her life. Now she desperately needs others to open their hearts to help her regain her health and her life so that she can once again be the joyful loving wife, daughter, friend and nurse she was before Lyme disease stole it all away.
The Backstory
About eight years ago Susan began experiencing sudden episodes of unexplained symptoms that resulted in repeated trips to the ER and countless medical specialists and testing. Not one doctor could identify what was wrong. Finally, after three years of testing and horrific debilitating symptoms, she was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Things got worse when Lyme caused her to develop a highly debilitating hearing disorder called Hyperacusis. It is a neurological problem that causes the brain to be unable to tolerate normal sound. Hyperacusis is a nightmare. Normal everyday sounds are painful beyond the imagination. Susan could not even tolerate hearing her own whispers or anyone else’s. This left her completely isolated and trapped.
During the past six years, Susan has had many medical treatments including three years of antibiotics. The antibiotics destroyed her digestive system and eating became a huge problem. She has lost 50 pounds and suffers from malabsorption, malnutrition and pancreatic insufficiency. Refusing to give up and desperate to live, Susan has tried everything from mainstream to alternative therapies. These have helped only temporarily and the disease continues to wreak havoc on her immune system. She still suffers from severe digestive issues. To this day, eating is difficult and her health continues to worsen.
How has all this affected Susan's health?
(Note: see updates section about Susan's progress since starting her new treatment!)
Her nervous system is in constant fight or flight mode. She suffers from debilitating brain fog; memory impairment; internal shaking and tremors; panic attacks, severe depression; biting, stabbing, and burning pain throughout her body; arthritic joints; heart and breathing problems; severe chronic fatigue; and times when her vision is affected. She never knows from one day to the next what will happen to her health.
Where Your Donation Goes
Susan needs to raise $45,000 to cover two separate visits to the clinic, medical and lab fees, and the necessary flights, hotels, and rental cars during her stay. She is scheduled to go in December for her initial two-week treatment, then return home to continue her individualized protocols. She will need to go back to the center at least one more time for follow up treatment. She will be monitored by the doctors on an ongoing basis.
How You Can Help
· Please donate via this website or by sending a check if you know her address (every little bit helps!)
· Please share this fundraiser and spread the word
· Use positive visualizations and prayers for her healing. These are powerful and greatly appreciated!
A Personal Message From Susan
It is my faith that has given me the courage and strength to keep going every day, faith that God has a bigger plan and important purpose for me. This is how I have survived these past eight years knowing that when I am healed I will devote my life once again to helping and healing others as a nurse and as someone who has seen the other side - the despair of being chronically ill. I will use all that I’ve learned to inspire others with my story, encouraging them to never give up and coaching them to navigate their way back to health.
I also plan on helping children who are in need of mentoring by someone they can trust and I dream of becoming a ‘big sister’. I was unable to have my own children and have so much I want to give to kids who need guidance and love. I will also be committed to helping heal and rehabilitate animals that have been abused and neglected. I have had almost a decade of suffering, so my greatest wish is to alleviate the suffering of others. With your help, I truly believe I will finally regain my health, put this nightmare behind me, and lead a productive life dedicated to serving others.
I am eternally grateful to all of you for your love, generosity, and help with my fundraiser. I believe we are all connected. I promise I will pay it forward.
With Love, Susie
Susan Berking is the direct beneficiary of all monies donated.
Susan and Chuck Berking are responsible for all expenses listed in this campaign and the GoFundMe donations are sent directly to their bank account.
Any additional funds collected beyond the campaign goal will be used to offset debt they have already incurred for medical expenses.
For further information about Lyme Disease:
http://lymediseasechallenge.org/learn-lyme-disease/
https://www.change.org/p/the-us-senate-calling-for-a-congressional-investigation-of-the-cdc-idsa-and-aldf
http://hansacenter.com/lyme-disease/
Film: Under Our Skin http://underourskin.com/film/
Susan and myself before Lyme disease!
Susan, animal intuitive at a local shelter.
Susan is seeking to get her health back via a life-saving inpatient treatment program, the only one like it in the country. She desperately needs your help to make it possible. Susan has the opportunity to become a patient at a residential treatment center that specializes in chronic disease. Here she would receive intensive daily treatment and be assigned her own team of doctors. The center has a 90% success rate, and their approach has resulted in saving thousands of lives every year. Without this comprehensive treatment program, Susan’s life hangs in the balance, and her suffering and declining health will continue.
Fighting Lyme disease for over eight years has caused financial devastation as health insurers refuse to cover treatments and doctors. This disease is complicated and not well researched or understood despite the fact that it affects millions of people every year. The CDC ignores the need for research, improved testing, and insurance coverage. When Lyme is not caught early (which is the norm), people lose their jobs, homes, and eventually, it can cost them their lives. Susan and her husband Chuck have had to refinance their home, sell their car, use their life savings, and incur massive debt to pay for ongoing treatment.
About Susan
If you had met Susan nine years ago before Lyme disease struck her, you would have met a funny, warm, compassionate, generous and vivacious woman. Susan was a dedicated registered nurse caring for the sick and elderly in her community. She was and still is well loved for her big heart and caring nature.
Susan volunteered in animal shelters to heal the broken spirits of cats and dogs and helped to get them adopted. She saved endangered animals by patrolling the lakes of New Hampshire to protect baby loons. She treasured spending time with her friends and family and was known as “Auntie Susie” to all her friends’ kids, mentoring them as a trusted ally and confidant.
Susan was also a passionate cook and gardener and delighted in preparing beautiful meals for her friends and family. Susie was a giver and was always there when people needed her. This disease has compromised all these aspects of her life. Now she desperately needs others to open their hearts to help her regain her health and her life so that she can once again be the joyful loving wife, daughter, friend and nurse she was before Lyme disease stole it all away.
The Backstory
About eight years ago Susan began experiencing sudden episodes of unexplained symptoms that resulted in repeated trips to the ER and countless medical specialists and testing. Not one doctor could identify what was wrong. Finally, after three years of testing and horrific debilitating symptoms, she was diagnosed with Lyme disease.
Things got worse when Lyme caused her to develop a highly debilitating hearing disorder called Hyperacusis. It is a neurological problem that causes the brain to be unable to tolerate normal sound. Hyperacusis is a nightmare. Normal everyday sounds are painful beyond the imagination. Susan could not even tolerate hearing her own whispers or anyone else’s. This left her completely isolated and trapped.
During the past six years, Susan has had many medical treatments including three years of antibiotics. The antibiotics destroyed her digestive system and eating became a huge problem. She has lost 50 pounds and suffers from malabsorption, malnutrition and pancreatic insufficiency. Refusing to give up and desperate to live, Susan has tried everything from mainstream to alternative therapies. These have helped only temporarily and the disease continues to wreak havoc on her immune system. She still suffers from severe digestive issues. To this day, eating is difficult and her health continues to worsen.
How has all this affected Susan's health?
(Note: see updates section about Susan's progress since starting her new treatment!)
Her nervous system is in constant fight or flight mode. She suffers from debilitating brain fog; memory impairment; internal shaking and tremors; panic attacks, severe depression; biting, stabbing, and burning pain throughout her body; arthritic joints; heart and breathing problems; severe chronic fatigue; and times when her vision is affected. She never knows from one day to the next what will happen to her health.
Where Your Donation Goes
Susan needs to raise $45,000 to cover two separate visits to the clinic, medical and lab fees, and the necessary flights, hotels, and rental cars during her stay. She is scheduled to go in December for her initial two-week treatment, then return home to continue her individualized protocols. She will need to go back to the center at least one more time for follow up treatment. She will be monitored by the doctors on an ongoing basis.
How You Can Help
· Please donate via this website or by sending a check if you know her address (every little bit helps!)
· Please share this fundraiser and spread the word
· Use positive visualizations and prayers for her healing. These are powerful and greatly appreciated!
A Personal Message From Susan
It is my faith that has given me the courage and strength to keep going every day, faith that God has a bigger plan and important purpose for me. This is how I have survived these past eight years knowing that when I am healed I will devote my life once again to helping and healing others as a nurse and as someone who has seen the other side - the despair of being chronically ill. I will use all that I’ve learned to inspire others with my story, encouraging them to never give up and coaching them to navigate their way back to health.
I also plan on helping children who are in need of mentoring by someone they can trust and I dream of becoming a ‘big sister’. I was unable to have my own children and have so much I want to give to kids who need guidance and love. I will also be committed to helping heal and rehabilitate animals that have been abused and neglected. I have had almost a decade of suffering, so my greatest wish is to alleviate the suffering of others. With your help, I truly believe I will finally regain my health, put this nightmare behind me, and lead a productive life dedicated to serving others.
I am eternally grateful to all of you for your love, generosity, and help with my fundraiser. I believe we are all connected. I promise I will pay it forward.
With Love, Susie
Susan Berking is the direct beneficiary of all monies donated.
Susan and Chuck Berking are responsible for all expenses listed in this campaign and the GoFundMe donations are sent directly to their bank account.
Any additional funds collected beyond the campaign goal will be used to offset debt they have already incurred for medical expenses.
For further information about Lyme Disease:
http://lymediseasechallenge.org/learn-lyme-disease/
https://www.change.org/p/the-us-senate-calling-for-a-congressional-investigation-of-the-cdc-idsa-and-aldf
http://hansacenter.com/lyme-disease/
Film: Under Our Skin http://underourskin.com/film/
Susan and myself before Lyme disease!
Susan, animal intuitive at a local shelter.
Organizer and beneficiary
Martha Nichols
Organizer
Center Sandwich, NH
Susan Berking
Beneficiary