Here’s a heartbreaking story. Denise Ryan has had digestive and immune system problems since birth but they went undiagnosed so she never received early treatment. Now 30, Denise’s health has worsened due to a lack of diagnosis and she now has “Lyme disease, pneumonia, Epstein-Barr virus, gastroparesis, chronic gastritis, candida, strep and clostridia infections, among other things”.
“My immune system, organs, digestive and central nervous system are under constant attack,” she says. She is left with one last treatment option “at a clinic in the US, but it’s very expensive, due to the complexity of the cases they deal with. Treatment would involve months of IV medication, nutrients and other therapies.”
I wish for my life back. I wish to be with my friends, to work, to laugh out loud, to be able to see straight and not watch the world through a blurry surreal lens. And for the palsy, seizures, collapsing, vomiting, pain, burning, suffering and delirium to stop.
Denise and her friends are trying to raise €30k through GoFundMe, over €27k has already been raised. This Thursday more money will hopefully be raised at a gig in Whelan’s where Leaders of Men, Cry Monster Cry, Hawklion and Bairbre Anne will play. Tickets are €10.
The event page is here. If you can’t make it, you can donate directly.
More about Denise on The Journal and the Indo.
Here is Denise’s story in her own words:
My name is Denise Ryan, I am 30 years old.
I have had digestive and immune system problems since birth, but these went undiagnosed so I never received the early treatment these infections require. They are not conditions that are readily recognised, yet they are very common and hinder many of us from thriving and having the healthy, happy lives we deserve.
I moved to Canada for 4 years and had many mosquito and tick bites. I spent the last two years of my time there going to doctors and consultants, as the gut problems I had since childhood worsened. I had never even heard the word ‘lyme’ then.
I came home due to my illness getting out of control and and becoming systemic. I have spent another two years here begging doctors and hospitals for help.As I went so long without a diagnosis, things have progressed to a life threatening state.
I have Lyme disease, pneumonia, Epstein-Barr virus, gastroparesis, chronic gastritis, candida, strep and clostridia infections, among other things. My immune system, organs, digestive and central nervous system are under constant attack.
I’m completely debilitated and after countless doctors, specialists and thousands upon thousands of euro spent seeking answers all over Ireland, the UK and Canada, I am left with only one last treatment option.It is at a clinic in the US, but it’s very expensive, due to the complexity of the cases they deal with. Treatment would involve months of IV medication, nutrients and other therapies.
I wish for my life back. I wish to be with my friends, to work, to laugh out loud, to be able to see straight and not watch the world through a blurry surreal lens. And for the palsy, seizures, collapsing, vomiting, pain, burning, suffering and delirium to stop.
As incredible as my friends have been, there is a suffocating fear and loneliness that accompanies being so incredibly ill. Repeating to yourself day and night that ‘help will come, help will come, help will come’, because surely, somehow, it has to?
Money is such a horrible thing, but every donation however small is a tremendous help.
It’s a huge endeavour, but I have to try. I’m not giving up yet.Thank you so much for reading.
Denise
