If you would have told me two years ago I would be writing this post I would not have believed you. Today, I still don’t want to write this and yet, here I am, because it needs to be done. Because our need is bigger than what either Mark or I are able to accomplish on our own. Today I write, perhaps, the hardest blog post I have written for Russell’s Adventures to date. Many of you know of Mark’s current battle with Lyme Disease. It has robbed our kids of play time with their dad. This year when I asked them what they wanted for Christmas, they said to buy our house and for daddy to feel better. In so many capacities they miss their daddy. I write this article, not just for me and Mark, but so that Mark can once again ride his bike or go swimming with the kids, go on blogging adventures with us and live the life he loves.
We have created a GoFundMe account to raise money for Mark and my treatment. Antibiotics are hard on his body and oftentimes they end up causing more harm than good. We need to seek a gentler, non-antibiotic direction. There is a regiment of supplements that Mark can take, but they are not covered by our insurance company.
I am working full time at one of our local hotels. Mark has recently taken a part-time job at the Freeborn County Shopper. He is enjoying the work in their design department, working on their websites, his coworkers and working in a professional setting. It is a good start to see if he can physically handle the workload. He comes home beaming and excited at the end of his day. It is a joy to witness.
While we are both working, it is still not enough to cover the cost of Mark’s supplements. Last summer God gave me a vision. Our family was standing in the middle of a circle. Around us, our friends were holding hands. Some facing us, while others were facing away. The ones facing us are there to encourage us, be a shoulder to cry on, bring meals and help us out financially. While the ones facing away from us are there as protection. They are our prayer warriors, those shoveling our sidewalk and driveway and lending physical help to keep us going every day. We could not walk this road alone. To those who continue to run alongside us, thank you!
We continue to have family and friends ask us how they can help. This GoFundMe campaign is a huge way to help us. It will help us be able to purchase Mark’s treatment for a year. A year of filling his body with life-giving nutrients that will aid in doing the hard work of fighting Lyme. After six months on antibiotics making it even harder for him to function, it will allow him to fight Lyme in a way that is a lot more gentle on his body.
It will also allow me to begin to seek healing for my body. It has taken a toll on my body to be the glue that holds us together every day. My body has begun to have allergic reactions and we are currently working to get to the bottom of what is going on. Our doctor has suggested supplements that will help but are also not covered by our insurance.
Thank you for your encouragement, support, prayers and financial blessings.
Visit the link below to donate.
Prayers and support coming your way! So happy you have your close circle of friends and family.
Thank you, Val. We could not walk this road alone. We are thankful for each of our family and friends.
[…] what I really want to do is be home with my kids, homeschooling them. Yet, currently, because of Mark’s illness, this is not my reality. I am thankful I am physically able to go to work. I am thankful I am able […]