Support Marie Lucius

At the end of 2020, I suddenly started having issues with my balance and legs becoming weak and giving way, unexpectedly causing me to fall. Throughout the next two-month period these symptoms seemed to get worse the more active I was. At the beginning of 2021, my whole family came down with COVID. All of my neurological symptoms started to spiral out of control. I was becoming weaker with less activity. My primary physician sent me to a neurologist, trying to figure out what was the root cause. Working and living life as well as being a mother to three small children was becoming more difficult day by day.

My symptoms were progressively getting worse. I began having trouble walking and completing simple tasks, such as making a meal, brushing my hair, getting dressed, going up and down my stairs, and folding laundry. My muscles would ache and burn with these activities. As summer approached, I started to notice issues with my vision. I began experiencing blurred and double vision which limited my ability to drive. Then things had progressed to the point to where I was having intermittent slurred speech where others could not understand what I was saying, as well as difficulties swallowing.

In 2023, I finally found a neuromuscular specialist who recognized my symptoms and diagnosed me with myasthenia gravis. Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a chronic autoimmune disorder in which antibodies destroy the communication between nerves and muscle, resulting in weakness of the skeletal muscles. Myasthenia gravis affects the voluntary muscles of the body, especially those that control the eyes, mouth, throat and limbs.

I learned that I have most likely been living with this disease for the last decade. My physician immediately started me on a very well-known medication for MG. This did help initially, but as time went on it has become much less effective. I am now having issues with my respiratory system. My physicians and I have been fighting the insurance company for almost a year to approve a stronger treatment to avoid hospitalization. We have been left with constant denials. Without a stronger treatment, some of my worst fears have come true. Since I am unable to work, I have lost my career and have been in the hospital twice in the last month with breathing difficulties in early crisis.

In researching additional treatment options, my doctor told me that Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) could be an alternative treatment option to help improve my symptoms. I’ve learned that HBOT has been extremely successful in treating people who suffer from autoimmune conditions, including Myasthenia gravis. HBOT acts as an anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal agent. It has been shown to reduce pain significantly, alleviate sleep dysfunction, and reduce cognitive impairment. It also decreases inflammation and swelling, increases energy, and increases the body’s white blood cell activity, boosting the immune system and promoting healing.

I learned that there is a non-profit facility in Northwest Ohio that I can go to called Sara’s Garden. Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy for my situation is only $150 per treatment at Sara’s Garden (as opposed to $1,500-2,500 per treatment at a hospital). Unfortunately, in the United States insurance companies do not recognize HBOT as being therapeutic for the treatment of these conditions, and will therefore not cover the cost of the treatments. Since my plan is to receive at least 40 HBOT treatments that cost adds up quickly. I could really use your help!

If you could assist me with the cost (or even just part of the cost) of a single $150 treatment it would help reduce my overall expenses greatly. 100% of the funds received will go into an account in my name and will be used for my treatments. Any contribution made would be considered a tax-deductible donation as Sara’s Garden is a 501(c)(3) non-profit facility. Checks can be made out to Sara’s Garden with my name on a sheet of paper accompanying the check. You can also donate online via credit card by clicking on the DONATE NOW button below.

Your love and support will not go unnoticed or unappreciated!

Sincerely,
Marie Lucius