Karen Fralin, 46
|
- Background:
South Roanoke homemaker, mom of three, wife of former state Del. William Fralin
- Lyme history:
Believes she contracted it in 2004 and 2010 while gardening in her yard, which abuts a wooded area
- Symptoms:
Flu-like symptoms, aching joints, crushing tiredness
- Treatment/current state of wellness:
Treated by “Lyme-literate” doctor in Washington, D.C., in 2004 and treated locally for 30 days in 2010; still has intermittent joint pain and fatigue.
|
Taylor Albright, 45
|
- Background:
Blacksburg lawyer, former law practice and title agency manager; unable to work since 2008
- Lyme history:
Contracted more than 25 years ago in New Jersey; second tick bite at 2006 Floydfest
- Symptoms:
Arthritis, fatigue, joint pain, tremors, incontinence, cognitive impairment and blood clots
- Treatment/current state of wellness:
Now in 11th month of treatment by Lyme-literate doctor, including several months of intravenous antibiotics; she’s slowly getting better but isn’t sure if she’ll ever feel well enough to work again.
|
Matt O’Herron, 39
|
- Background:
Roanoke County lawyer
- Lyme history:
Bitten by tick in summer 2010, presumably while clearing backyard brush
- Symptoms:
Very high fever, purple welts on his leg
- Treatment/current state of wellness:
Immediate three-week course of oral antibiotics obtained at emergency room; fully recovered.
|
Mauricia Shanks, 44
|
- Background:
Pearisburg dog groomer
- Lyme history:
July 2009, found tick attached to leg
- Symptoms:
Flu-like symptoms and rash; after initial treatment, symptoms worsened with extreme joint pain, involuntary stiffness and cognitive impairment
- Treatment/current state of wellness:
Initial treatment in local hospital; sought longer oral antibiotic treatment from Lyme-literate doctor in Washington, D.C., after local physician refused further treatment when her symptoms did not abate. Symptoms did not abate; fully recovered.
|
Rick Sidor, 49
|
- Background:
South Roanoke County resident, owns physical therapy practice and rehabilitation clinic
- Lyme history:
Bitten in mid-’90s, while clearing vines in back yard
- Symptoms:
Waves of sleeplessness, pain, severe fatigue and cognitive impairment
- Treatment/current state of wellness:
Now in seventh month of oral antibiotics course, prescribed by Lyme-literate Lexington doctor; feels better than he has in 15 years.
|
Nancy Dahlstrom, 62
|
- Background:
Art professor living in Fincastle area
- Lyme history:
First ill in 2001; presumably bitten by tick while gardening
- Symptoms:
Migrating pain, twitching, severe oversensitivity to sound, cognitive impairment so severe she couldn’t work
- Treatment/current state of wellness:
Sought treatment from multiple specialists until chronic Lyme diagnosis was made by Maryland doctor, who ordered more than a year of IV antibiotics; now operating at about 90 percent and teaching an almost-full course load.
|
Johnette Ballenger Sowder, 47 (deceased)
|
- Background:
South Roanoke County emergency-room secretary and nursing school student; unable to work since fall 2003
- Lyme history:
Presumably bitten in the woodlands surrounding her home; illness began in 2001
- Symptoms:
Intermittent chest pain and shortness of breath, fevers, limb swelling, severe pain cognitive impairment and depression
- Treatment/current state of wellness:
Treated by Lyme-literate doctor in Washington, D.C., including with oral and IV antibiotics — though the latter was halted when insurance refused to reimburse. Had been steadily improving in recent months but died unexpectedly Oct. 14 while visiting relatives in Knightdale, N.C. Autopsy reports were inconclusive, but her husband and family believe chronic Lyme caused her death.
|