2011 Lyme MAYDAY

This MAYDAY event was to bring attention to the inadequate medical guidelines that direct physicians in their treatment for Lyme Patients. The following is a personal story as told by Diane Ballou from Long Island, New York. (C- woman in wheel chair with Mother pushing on page 2) Diane was an outdoorsy girl with many tick bites growing up. Since eight years old misdiagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, Lupus Familial Mediterranean Fever, Epstein-Barr........ As an adult was able to walk fairly well, have fun w/o too much strain and later - able to hold a job. In 2001 during a weekend camping trip was re-infected w/Lyme Disease. Even got the bulls-eye rash. Within 2 days couldn't walk or feed herself. Pain was excruciating. Was immediately diagnosed with Lyme Disease because of the bullseye rash. Put on 1 week of Doxycycline antibiotic and told that it wouldn't be a big deal. But because of chronic lyme that still remained in her body the antibiotic did nothing to help. "I realized I was dying and Drs agreed to the same but could do nothing to help me during the following months." Finally an educated Lyme Disease Dr treated Diane for 10 months w/ IV antibiotics. She went into remission for 7 years. Got married, adopted a Son (afraid of transferring lyme to baby), and lived a happy, healthy and active life. After seven years a severe spinal injury necessitated spinal surgery followed by another "less major" spinal surgery 1 month later. Remission was over. Then, and now, she is unable to work or be the active Mother she desires. She returned to her Lyme physician. IV antibiotics were again needed but insurance wouldn't pay for treatment. Diane's Mother pays what she is able and a good friend has given $10,000 that she will most likely not ever be able to pay back. "All I wish and dream for now is to be healthy enough to be an excellent Mother of my Son again. To be well enough so that it is safe for my Son and I to be alone together in our home. To be able to take him to the park, just the two of us, without supervision from another adult. I love life. I fight everyday to live my life for myself and my family. But I am one of the lucky ones. I have been in remission before. Many Lyme patients never go into remission. Others even die."