From Tina

I want to thank everyone for their love, care and concern during this difficult time for my family.  I wanted to explain a little more what is going on, so those who have heard of my situation through others can better understand our need. 

Eight and a half years ago I was bitten by a brown recluse spider.  Instead of opening up, like a brown recluse spider bite will do, mine internalized.  The bite became red, hot and swollen within 24 hours.  Within 48 hours I was extremely ill.  My temperature was 105, I was swollen twice my normal size and was covered in a sunburn type rash.  I was vomiting and experiencing extreme pain all over my body.

Upon arriving at the hospital I was immediately admitted into the trauma unit.  My regular doctor believed my kidneys were failing.  My blood pressure was drastically dropping and my heart was racing.

Doctors struggled to figure out what was wrong with me.  They began trying several rounds of different antibiotics and narcotics for the agonizing pain I was in.  Nothing worked, even the pain medications.  My regular doctor came in at one point and admitted that they did not know what to do for me, but would keep trying. 

After several days I continued to vomit and experience overwhelming pain.  I knew I was dying.  It wasn’t until 4 days later, when the infectious disease specialist came in, when my story would change.  He asked me how I was feeling and I told him it felt like my tongue had been scalded.  He asked to see it and it was then that he told me that it was raw and bloody.  He turned to the doctor next to him and told him they needed to begin treating for staphylococcus toxic shock immediately.

What happened in the several hours after this were torment.  First I had to have a vein catheter in my arm so the chosen medication could be administered straight into my heart, as the medication would destroy the veins.  It was extremely painful.  I sobbed through the whole procedure.  Next I had a spinal tap done.  I was already in so much pain, but this seemed more than I could bear.  As soon as that was done doctors wheeled in an ultrasound machine and gave me the news that they got the wrong vein.  They had to pull out the catheter and redo it.  Again, I cried through the whole thing.

After 12 hours on this ($19,000!!!!) medication my fever went down, as did the swelling of my body.  While I was showing signs that the medication was working on the infection, my heart was showing great stress.  I was hooked up to heart monitors.  I would suddenly feel like a pile of bricks were placed on my chest and my heart rate would drop into the 30’s.  I felt like I was going to die.

After an expensive week I was released from the hospital with the orders that I was not being released because I was well, but because I was better.  It was true.  I went straight home to bed and continued to suffer the effects of the infection.  My heart was obviously under stress.  My head pounded in agonizing pain.  I could barely see.  I struggled to walk on my own.  I was afraid to go to sleep at night for fear that I would not wake up again. 

A couple weeks later I found out I was pregnant.  I was terrified for my baby.  I spent the entire pregnancy very ill and terrified for her life.   My pregnancy ended with a cesarean and a difficult recovery.

Over the years the story has been much of the same.  In and out of emergency rooms and hospitals with complications.  More surgeries.  More antibiotics.  My system was down and had no fight left.  My immune system was down and any “normal” virus ended up in a huge ordeal for me.  Last year I ended up with a mono infection that left me in terrible pain for 4 months and an affected liver.  I spent hours throwing up, in and out of the emergency room and struggling to move because of the pain I was in.

Recently, after the birth of my last baby 3 months ago, I felt my health start to decline more rapidly.  The pain returned.  Sometimes I sat in my chair and all I could do was cry.  The fatigue was overwhelming.  My heart seemed to work so hard to do anything.  My lymph nodes started swelling throughout my body.  One in my neck swells to the size of a golf ball sometimes daily.  I cried out the Lord for help and for guidance.

A friend of mine had recently gone there for treatment of her debilitating Lyme Disease. I personally saw an amazing transformation in my very sick friend.  This is when my husband and I started to consider the Hansa Center for treatment.  I have been there for 3 days now.  Daily I find myself surrounded by strong Christian doctors and staff who deeply care about what is going on with me.  I begin each day with the doctor who spends an hour or longer with me.  Through testing we are finally getting answers. 

So far we know that the infection weakened my organs.  My heart, as the doctor explained it, is running on 1% battery power.  My kidneys are very weak and my thyroid is low functioning.  My liver and spleen are overloaded.   I am also suffering anemia.  The infection also caused a build up of ammonia in my system. 

Answers.  We are finally getting answers!  I am finally feeling hopeful and I am so thankful I can do so while openly sharing WHERE my hope is coming from with those who are working to find answers for me. 

I am still undergoing tests and treatment and will continue to do so for another week and a half.  I am noticing small changes right now.  Last night I slept for 5 hours.  It was the first time in years I woke up feeling really rested.  My body slept.  It was amazing!

I am still experiencing pain, but not the extent I was when I walked into the clinic.  My lymphatic system is still fired up.  The lymph node in my neck and the glands in my mouth were very swollen throughout today.  We are trying to figure out the issues with my heart and how to treat them.  I am still tired but feel periods of relief that give me so much hope!!

More than anything I am so thankful for what the Lord is doing through this decision we have made.  I am away from my children, and that is hard, but this time has been a wonderful time to focus on Him and His Word while I am away.  My mom is here for as long as I need her to be and she is an amazing help with the children!  She has even been organizing the house J. 

I am so thankful for the love and support that has been shown to us during this time!  I am humbled and just so thankful!  I hope writing has answered questions for those who do not know me.  More than anything, thank you for praying for me and my family during this time!