Victoria Draper
Jackson County, Michigan

Total cost:
Number of family members with LD: 1
Lost work/school:
Number of years sick: 5 months

My name is Dawn Draper and this is our story. Our daughter Victoria was bitten by a tick in late May of 1997. We found the tick at the stem of the neck, we pulled it out with tweezers and all of the tick came out. The tick couldn't of been there longer than a couple hours. We called the family doctor who said there was nothing to worry about. A couple of weeks had passed and we started to notice a big difference in her behavior. We checked the area of the bite and noticed it was not healing and there was light red rash around the area. We were somewhat aware of Lyme disease as someone in our community has it. Fortunately for us they were willing to share their experience with us. We called their physician and were able to get an appointment for Victoria. July of 1997 was her first appointment, we see the doctor once a month which is about a 2.5 hour drive there one way. Victoria's emotional state is not well, she gets very confused, angry, along with her crying spells. On top of her Lyme disease she has developed Alopecia (Hair Loss) and Candidiasis (Chronic Yeast). Victoria doesn't understand what is happening to her, she use to be such a good natured child who had so much energy and loved life. Victoria doesn't care when people look at her when she has an outburst, or they are staring at her hair but I do. There are times when I will just break down and cry and it is her who comforts me. "It'll be alright Ma." One thing I can say is God gave her a strong spirit. When she cries out in her sleep from the pain in her legs and stomach, I do wonder if and when this will be over for her and all of us! I do believe in the P & P method, the power of prayer and patience. In reality that is all you can do until they find the right combination of drugs that will work is pray and be patient. The financial burden is also difficult: missing work, travel for treatment, the treatment itself, tests and bloodwork. We have only been doing this for a short time in comparison to most Lymes patients and to be honest I don't know how they muster up the strength to do it. In some ways I think it would be easier to deal with cancer or something else at least then you would know what you are dealing with and be able to face it head on, with Lyme disease there are so many strains of bacteria and so many other illnesses and side effects that can occur. The pain you feel watching someone you love go through so much and knowing there is nothing you can do is incredible. The stress it creates in our lives is so great. David, her dad, and I feel we are in constant turmoil and there is never a moment's peace. Thank you for listening.

Emotionally, Finacially, and Physically drained in Springport, MI,
Dawn M. Draper