Support Holly's Lyme & Healing Journey

Hi, my name is Kelsey.

I am asking for your help in supporting my good friend Holly Cheatham who has been suffering from late-stage Lyme Disease amongst many other tick-borne infections for five years.

Holly is a single, disabled mother. She and I met a couple of years ago via Instagram as we were both sharing a similar journey in healing from Lyme Disease while being mom's of young children. Come to find out, we both went to high school in the same county! We've remained close because we can understand each other personally since we're experiencing the same hardships. Holly has always been an extremely caring and giving friend to me despite her trials, and I want to do the same for her.

HOLLY'S HISTORY:

In the late summer of 2017, Holly was bit by a tick. In the early fall of 2017, she started experiencing panic attacks, numbness in her extremities, and episodes of paralysis accompanied by speech issues. Bloodwork later confirmed that she was borderline positive for Lyme Disease and was referred to an infectious disease doctor. They conducted more bloodwork, establishing an active Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever infection. They started her on some oral antibiotics, which gave her awful side effects, so they decided to install a PICC line and a 28-day round of Rocephin. The IV antibiotics caused many side effects, which ultimately landed her in the hospital for three days. After testing in the hospital, they concluded there was nothing they could do for her, so she continued the course of antibiotics her infectious disease doctor had prescribed. After she was done, she was feeling worse than ever, and the infectious disease doctor sent her on her way to see an LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor).

In January of 2018, she began seeing her new LLMD, where she was diagnosed with chronic or late-stage Lyme Disease, mold toxicity illness, Bartonella , Babesia , RMSF , and parasitic infections. Her symptoms at this time included memory loss, extreme fatigue, muscle weakness, digestive issues, migraines, slurred speech, night sweats, cognitive impairments, dizziness, panic attacks, tremors, heart palpitations, insomnia, etc. Her new doctor started her on many new supplements and IV antibiotics through a PICC line again. She started experiencing swelling and a rash at the site of the PICC line, so she was sent to have an ultrasound where they found a Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) or blood clot & she again had the PICC line removed. In March of 2018, they installed a power port. She still needed a way to receive IV antibiotics and other medications, but the PICC line was too big of a risk. She again went through many rounds of antibiotics without much success.

Shortly after that, she decided it was time for a break. Her body had been through so much with little to no improvement, and she needed rest. She started exploring more holistic treatments like ionic foot baths, infrared sauna, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, acupuncture, nutritional IVs, lymphatic massages, herbal tinctures, vitamins, and supplements.

At this time, she became far too sick to work. She could no longer be a reliable employee because her body was failing her. She had to quit her job in October of 2018 to focus on her health and possibly start a new career path that would work better for her. She decided to start massage therapy school in November of 2018. While attending school, she had multiple hospital visits and underwent a spinal tap to check for meningitis. She often thought she might not be able to finish school, but she ultimately made it through and found her true passion in helping heal others.

In early 2019 she decided to stop most of her supplements and medications as this journey was becoming extremely costly. These diseases had taken quite a toll on her wallet, body, mind, and spirit. She continued to do supportive therapies like the sauna, nutritional IVs and things of that nature to help keep her afloat. She also saw a chiropractor for her neck pain, where he ordered X-rays that showed cervical degenerative and rotation of C2. Lyme was starting to eat away at her body.

As you can imagine - all of this medical care has been extremely costly. Most of which is not covered by insurance, so Holly racked up quite a bit of medical debt. It has been challenging for her to keep afloat and choose between necessities and treatment while being disabled and unable to work.

FAST FORWARD TO THE PAST FEW YEARS:

At the beginning of 2020, Holly had a bad reaction to a new medication she had been prescribed. The adverse effects of this drug caused her to have neurological issues along with more weight loss and muscle weakness. She was referred to a chiropractor for rehabilitation 3 to 4 times a week for three months after this incident. Insurance did not cover it, and the chiropractic care ultimately did not help this issue. She had to move twice due to the impact of COVID and mold being in her home at the time. She has been seen by multiple specialists from then to now, including neurologists, rheumatologists, GI doctors, and pelvic pain specialists. She has undergone many tests, scans, and procedures, including colonoscopy, endoscopy, biopsies, MRIs, cat scans, ultrasounds, and lots of lab work. In 2021 Holly was diagnosed with mild Chron's disease and colitis and had polyps removed. She also underwent a pill cam procedure. Her endometriosis symptoms also start to become unbearable.

The ramifications of these diseases and treatment over a long period have been immense. In addition to the tick-borne diseases, Holly has also been diagnosed with Endometriosis (excision surgery in April 2022). She also deals with chronic anemia. Holly continues to do weekly pelvic floor therapy and physical therapy to help gain weight and muscle back. Her current LLMD also suspects possible dental cavitations from wisdom teeth extraction in which she will need to see a biological dentist. She continues to do weekly nutritional IVs, sauna, hyperbaric oxygen therapy, etc., to try and keep her symptom load low.

HERE ARE THE THINGS HOLLY NEEDS TO PAY OFF MEDICAL DEBT & CONTINUE TO HEAL:

Holly has undergone treatment for the last 5 years, many of which are not covered by insurance. She has also attempted to apply for disability for the past four years without approval. So many of us are living in debt while having no way to work or bring in an income because we are physically and mentally disabled. Lyme patients often have to choose between their bills and their medicine, which is completely unfair.

I've personally witnessed Holly struggle through many chronic health issues, and it's very concerning to see her continue to struggle despite her very best efforts.

Holly's passions in life are massage therapy and her adorable son, Ashton, who she has raised to be such a caring and empethetic little boy. Lyme Disease has robbed her of her goals thus far. I hope she can gain a much better quality of life with your help and live to serve and help others heal as she was destined to do.

Any little bit would help. If you cannot donate at this time, please consider sharing this fundraiser! <3

THANK YOU!!!