Thatcher Family

Carrie’s journey with chronic illness began 4 years ago in September of 2014. Feeling extremely weak and ill she visited a Med Station with her three children after picking them up from school. They assessed her and ran blood tests and then wanted her to go by ambulance to the hospital. Fearing that it would upset her children she waited for family members to pick up her kids and take her to the hospital. Her liver and spleen were enlarged and she was septic. She had a fever of 104 degrees. Tor ten days she endured every test imaginable and received a steady regimen of antibiotics and pain medication. The diagnosis: “idiopathic” hepatitis or, an infection of the liver for which no cause could be found. An infection that left her with debilitating right sided pain. She began years of what would become pain medications, pain treatments, chiropractic interventions and desperation.

In July of this year, Carrie, now single with her three children, was bitten by a tick. What she thought was a pimple on the front of her calf became infected. Within two weeks, Carrie was severely ill. The pimple, now infected, developed a bulls eye rash around it. She was noticing other areas of rash that seemed to move to different areas of her body. Lesions began to erupt randomly on her face, arms, and legs. She visited a Med Station, three different emergency departments and her PCP. The answer was always the same. Your blood work is normal. And they would send her home with no answers. At last, she saw a dermatologist who clinically diagnosed her with Lyme Disease and started her on a three month treatment regimen. The treatment has caused grueling side effects.

Anyone who knows Carrie, knows that she is a determined young woman with a voracious appetite to understand things. This has led her to research this disease and find others who have suffered. To connect.

There are numerous strains of Lyme and it is very difficult to detect through blood work. Research also suggests that the “idiopathic hepatitis” Carrie contracted was probably Lyme Disease and that this recent Lyme infection was more severe due to her having it before. It also meant that Carrie could possibly carry the Lyme bacteria for many years, even for the rest of her life.

Through this treatment, Carrie was having severe headaches, nausea, joint pain, poor appetite and weight loss. But then, two of her children began to experience these things, as well. Was this the Lyme Disease? Then why were the kids sick too?

Carrie’s home is near the Grand River. After a period of torrential rainfall and three weeks of hot, humid days this past summer, Carrie noticed odd molds and fungus growing in her yard and in areas of her home. Carrie keeps an impeccably clean home. How could there be mold and fungus inside her home? She found a laboratory that would analyze specimens of the fungus. What they found were extremely high concentrations of two different fungus that are dangerous to human health. They instructed her to move her family out of the home.

Carrie and her children are living with family members. Their personal belongings and everything they own remain in the home. Due to her poor health the last 4 years Carrie has been unable to work outside the home and relies on child support for her income. The cost of eradicating the fungus from her home is expensive. Many of their belongings will have to be thrown away and equipment must be purchased to dehumidify and purify the air year round.

Carrie has found a clinic that can help her in her fight with Lyme Disease. But it is costly and self pay. Please consider helping Carrie’s family return to a safe home and for her to receive the necessary medical treatment to regain her health and be free of pain. We appreciate your generosity and concern immensely! If you are unable to help financially, please pray for them! Thank you so much, Carrie’s Friends and Family