The Spencer's Lyme Journey
Donation protected
Hello! My name is Mandy Spencer, and I have been struggling with chronic health problems for almost 10 years. During that time, I have been to many different doctors and specialists, both in our area of Southern Oregon, as well as the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota and a specialty clinic in Idaho. We have tried everything we can think of, from convential medicine to a variety of naturopathic treatments, as well as other forms of treatment and therapy. Although we've recieved some vague answers in our search, no one has been able to fully understand, and/or explain the reason for my severe chronic pain and why my body has been fighting against itself, resulting in a variety of unpleasant symptoms including; numbness, swelling, thyroid issues, extreme fatigue, brain fog, memory loss, encephalitis, and other concerning nuerological problems in addition to constant pain. In order for me to continue to carry out my responsibilities as a mother of four, wife, substitute teacher, etc., I have resorted to living on pain medication as I continue to try and supplement with natural remedies and search for answers. Through this, I have become painfully aware of how much conventional medicine does not understand, and how important it is to become your own advicate and constantly continue searching and learning .
Over this period of time we have aquired an immense amount of medical debt, to the point of having to declare medical bankruptcy, after exhausting all other resources. This was several years ago. We have since found ourselves back in much medical debt. This comes not only from my medical journey, but also from my husband and children, who have had multiple medical problems as well.
Several months ago, I decided to try a highly recommended naturopathic doctor in our area. This doctor spent much time going over my history and symptoms, etc. She strongly felt that I should be re-tested for Lyme Disease, (a test I thought I had previously undergone multiple times). This test came out clearly positive, and for the first time in this journey, my symptoms started to make sense. Unfortunately, as I began to research this disease, the discouragement crept its way back in. I found that most conventional doctors did not understand enough about Lyme to treat it successfully, especially chronic Lyme. I started researching other non-conventional options, and began to feel hopeful.... the main problem being that treatment is generally very expensive, and insurance doesn't cover these methods of treatment.
In discovering this new information, my husband and I strongly felt that our oldest daughter, Savannah, who has been suffering with Crohn's disease for the past four years, should also be tested for Lyme disease, (due to the fact that many of her symptoms go beyond those that are generally assosiated with Crohn's Disease). The first Western blot test she had done came out positive for Lyme. Although our hope was that she did not have this disease , the discovery made sense with the symptoms she was experiencing. Unfortunately, we faced a lot of resistance and misunderstanding as we tried to clarify this with conventional doctors. Due to her regular pediatrician as well as her GI doctor's recomendation, a second test was performed, (but sent to a completely different lab). According to doctors, this test was negative. Because the second test was interpreted as being negative, doctors are ready to write this off. This does not explain her chronic symptoms, which have continued to become more debilitating. We still feel that Lyme is a high possibility, especially knowing the high rate of false negatives and problems associated with the current Western Blot test.
We wanted to get our other kids tested, due to our family's history of continual medical issues, but are currently at a standstill with conventional doctors, who think it is unnecessary, and who are not currently willing to order these tests. Meanwhile, our health and quality of life continues to go downhill. Our goal is for Savannah and I to be treated at a successful, Lyme literate clinic, which has had much success in treating patients with Lyme disease, as well as other autoimmune diseases. In order to reach this goal, we are in need of financial help. We are so thankful you have taken the time to read our story, and we are sincerely grateful for any help you are able to give toward our cause.
Thank you so much!
Mandy and Savannah Spencer and family.
Over this period of time we have aquired an immense amount of medical debt, to the point of having to declare medical bankruptcy, after exhausting all other resources. This was several years ago. We have since found ourselves back in much medical debt. This comes not only from my medical journey, but also from my husband and children, who have had multiple medical problems as well.
Several months ago, I decided to try a highly recommended naturopathic doctor in our area. This doctor spent much time going over my history and symptoms, etc. She strongly felt that I should be re-tested for Lyme Disease, (a test I thought I had previously undergone multiple times). This test came out clearly positive, and for the first time in this journey, my symptoms started to make sense. Unfortunately, as I began to research this disease, the discouragement crept its way back in. I found that most conventional doctors did not understand enough about Lyme to treat it successfully, especially chronic Lyme. I started researching other non-conventional options, and began to feel hopeful.... the main problem being that treatment is generally very expensive, and insurance doesn't cover these methods of treatment.
In discovering this new information, my husband and I strongly felt that our oldest daughter, Savannah, who has been suffering with Crohn's disease for the past four years, should also be tested for Lyme disease, (due to the fact that many of her symptoms go beyond those that are generally assosiated with Crohn's Disease). The first Western blot test she had done came out positive for Lyme. Although our hope was that she did not have this disease , the discovery made sense with the symptoms she was experiencing. Unfortunately, we faced a lot of resistance and misunderstanding as we tried to clarify this with conventional doctors. Due to her regular pediatrician as well as her GI doctor's recomendation, a second test was performed, (but sent to a completely different lab). According to doctors, this test was negative. Because the second test was interpreted as being negative, doctors are ready to write this off. This does not explain her chronic symptoms, which have continued to become more debilitating. We still feel that Lyme is a high possibility, especially knowing the high rate of false negatives and problems associated with the current Western Blot test.
We wanted to get our other kids tested, due to our family's history of continual medical issues, but are currently at a standstill with conventional doctors, who think it is unnecessary, and who are not currently willing to order these tests. Meanwhile, our health and quality of life continues to go downhill. Our goal is for Savannah and I to be treated at a successful, Lyme literate clinic, which has had much success in treating patients with Lyme disease, as well as other autoimmune diseases. In order to reach this goal, we are in need of financial help. We are so thankful you have taken the time to read our story, and we are sincerely grateful for any help you are able to give toward our cause.
Thank you so much!
Mandy and Savannah Spencer and family.
Organizer and beneficiary
Savannah Spencer
Organizer
Gold Hill, OR
Mandy Spencer
Beneficiary