I'm coming tonight in need of a little support. Braden's cousin passed away last Saturday after battling lyme disease for the last 7 years. Lyme disease is an inflammatory disease that is originally caused by a tick bite which, if left untreated or treatment is delayed, can lead to joint, heart, and nervous system problems. But it gets worse than that. You can read more about it below.
Doctor's believed that she was infected with the disease as a child but it didn't show major symptoms until 7 years ago, meaning the disease was too far spread to cure at that point. Because many people CAN be cured from it, her insurance stopped covering her treatment 6 years ago! Can you imagine the weight of not only slowly losing your wife, mother, and sister, but also having the medical expense too? I can't.
Leigh Case was a mother to three young kids, with the oldest just 18 and the youngest 11. Her husband is an incredible man and serves as a family counselor in Arizona. They have endured SO much and are now grieving beyond my comprehension.
I know that after the dust settles, the reality of the expenses they will have to face will become a burden too heavy to carry. While they are not asking for donations, they have set up an account in Leigh's honor for those who are seeking ways to try to ease the load. If you are inclined to donate to charities and could spare a bit for this family, I assure you it will not go unappreciated. I really can't say much more about it.
If you are so inclined, you can go to any Chase Bank and donate to account #903816270.
If Chase Bank is not available in your area, I'm sure you can contact the bank at (480) 807-5387 or (877)242-7372.
If you could post this on your blog or email it out, I know they could use a lot more than I'm sure we are able to provide. If you'd like to read her obituary, go to the Arizona Republic. The funeral is on Saturday with a viewing tomorrow night (Friday) if you're interested.
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From Wikipedia "After several months, untreated or inadequately treated patients may go on to develop severe and chronic symptoms that affect many parts of the body, including the brain, nerves, eyes, joints and heart. Myriad disabling symptoms can occur, including permanent paraplegia in the most extreme cases.
Chronic neurologic symptoms occur in up to 5% of untreated patients. A polyneuropathy that involves shooting pains, numbness, and tingling in the hands or feet may develop. A neurologic syndrome called Lyme encephalopathy is associated with subtle cognitive problems, such as difficulties with concentration and short-term memory. These patients may also experience profound fatigue. However, other problems such as depression and fibromyalgia are no more common in people who have been infected with Lyme than in the general population. Chronic encephalomyelitis, which may be progressive, can involve cognitive impairment, weakness in the legs, awkward gait, facial palsy, bladder problems, vertigo, and back pain. In rare cases untreated Lyme disease may cause frank psychosis, which has been mis-diagnosed as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder. Panic attack and anxiety can occur, also delusional behavior, including somatoform delusions, sometimes accompanied by a depersonalization or derealization syndrome, where the person begins to feel detached from themselves or from reality.
Lyme arthritis usually affects the knees. In a minority of patients arthritis can occur in other joints, including the ankles, elbows, wrist, hips, and shoulders. Pain is often mild or moderate, usually with swelling at the involved joint. Baker's cysts may form and rupture. In some cases joint erosion occurs.
Acrodermatitis chronica atrophicans (ACA) is a chronic skin disorder observed primarily in Europe among the elderly. ACA begins as a reddish-blue patch of discolored skin, often on the backs of the hands or feet. The lesion slowly atrophies over several weeks or months, with the skin becoming first thin and wrinkled and then, if untreated, completely dry and hairless.
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