 | Brendan was an Australian with Lyme Disease. He was a husband, a father, a son, an uncle, and an all round caring soul. Below is a little about Brendan and his story as shared by him in November 2010. The Poem in the header above is also reproduced for easier reading. |
Brendan was a caring guy, with a great sense of humour. Despite how sick he was, he was always looking to help others in anyway he could. In an email exchange, not long before his passing Brendan said thank you because I was helping him with a little research into some treatment and additional testing.
My reply was of a joking nature {as we all tend to do in serious situations} I wrote: "you help a lot of people with your postings and I am just trying to return that help to you. Besides, you are not getting out of all the work that needs to be done educating Lymies in Oz - have to make sure you stick around ;)"
To which Brendan replied "I don't know if I will survive this disease, but if I do, one of the higher priority goals I have is to help people get diagnosed with lyme and on proper treatment."
Sadly, Brendan did not survive, but his words and desire to help others stuck with me : The testing section of this website (under re-construction) is dedicated to Brendan's memory, as through sharing some of the information he collected/gave out to others with regards to testing, his dream to help others will live on.
The research article "Lyme Disease: A Counter Argument to the Australian Government's Denial" also acknowledges Brendan for his input on the first draft of the article.
My reply was of a joking nature {as we all tend to do in serious situations} I wrote: "you help a lot of people with your postings and I am just trying to return that help to you. Besides, you are not getting out of all the work that needs to be done educating Lymies in Oz - have to make sure you stick around ;)"
To which Brendan replied "I don't know if I will survive this disease, but if I do, one of the higher priority goals I have is to help people get diagnosed with lyme and on proper treatment."
Sadly, Brendan did not survive, but his words and desire to help others stuck with me : The testing section of this website (under re-construction) is dedicated to Brendan's memory, as through sharing some of the information he collected/gave out to others with regards to testing, his dream to help others will live on.
The research article "Lyme Disease: A Counter Argument to the Australian Government's Denial" also acknowledges Brendan for his input on the first draft of the article.
Brendan's Story: As shared by Brendan in November 2010
In March 2009, my body literally crashed. Within a few weeks I was seeing a neurologist and was also admitted to hospital shortly thereafter. After five days of extensive tests, I was diagnosed with MND (Motor Neurone Disease), Bulbar Onset. This diagnosis was confirmed by two other neurologists over the following weeks.
Six months ago, I was made aware of a link between some MND cases and Lyme disease by a website in the USA. But when I looked into it, official reports in Australia told me that Lyme disease doesn't exist in this country. So I wrote the idea off of me having Lyme – THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE
Now in November 2010, I am heavily fatigued and find it difficult to walk too far or stand for too long. My speech is permanently slurred, I have a PEG feeding tube inserted into my stomach and I have to sleep with a ventilator. My diagnosis of Lyme disease has only transpired in the past few weeks after I made contact with a Lyme-aware doctor. MND is regarded as a terminal illness, without any hope. So my subsequent diagnosis of Lyme disease does bring new hope, as it is treatable. My research tells me though that it can be a hard road to recovery – but it may be a road too hard for me to survive, due to my extremely weak condition and current low lung capacity (FVC).
If I had not been misled by that information back in May 2010, I would had found out then of my Lyme infection and would had been in a far stronger state of health to cope with my pending treatment. So from this point looking forward, even a partial recovery is a daunting prospect for me due to my fragile condition.
My hope is that not only will I in time begin to recover, but that the presence of Lyme in Australia be officially recognised so that many more will not have to suffer as I and so many others have unnecessarily.
- Brendan, Rural Victoria
Six months ago, I was made aware of a link between some MND cases and Lyme disease by a website in the USA. But when I looked into it, official reports in Australia told me that Lyme disease doesn't exist in this country. So I wrote the idea off of me having Lyme – THAT WAS A BIG MISTAKE
Now in November 2010, I am heavily fatigued and find it difficult to walk too far or stand for too long. My speech is permanently slurred, I have a PEG feeding tube inserted into my stomach and I have to sleep with a ventilator. My diagnosis of Lyme disease has only transpired in the past few weeks after I made contact with a Lyme-aware doctor. MND is regarded as a terminal illness, without any hope. So my subsequent diagnosis of Lyme disease does bring new hope, as it is treatable. My research tells me though that it can be a hard road to recovery – but it may be a road too hard for me to survive, due to my extremely weak condition and current low lung capacity (FVC).
If I had not been misled by that information back in May 2010, I would had found out then of my Lyme infection and would had been in a far stronger state of health to cope with my pending treatment. So from this point looking forward, even a partial recovery is a daunting prospect for me due to my fragile condition.
My hope is that not only will I in time begin to recover, but that the presence of Lyme in Australia be officially recognised so that many more will not have to suffer as I and so many others have unnecessarily.
- Brendan, Rural Victoria
Passage written by Karen after Brendan's passing:
Brendan,
The time we all got to know you was but a small drop in the ocean of your life,
But your presence was felt like the roaring waves crashing onto the rocks of the lighthouse shores,
For you were a guiding light, fighting hard to warn so many of the hidden health dangers of our land,
Although your own journey was fraught with difficulties, you stood strong and steadfast,
You never complained or lost your sense of humour and direction,
Your way with words always made the obtuse science seem so very clear,
You were a constant light whose compassion shone through in all communications with others.
The light is faltering just a little right now, for your passing has left an impact on the many lives you touched,
Your compassion, your humour and your constant thoughts for others are just a few of the qualities that shone through to all those in the Lyme community,
And we can only imagine they were felt a hundred fold by those that were proud to call you a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend.
The light you spread will continue to shine, and will indeed become so much stronger now for all those lives you touched.
We all take comfort in the knowledge that you placed your life in Gods hands and you are now resting peacefully in his arms. Where, free from suffering we know you will continue to look down and give strength to your family and loved ones to work through their tremendous sadness and loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all Brendan’s family and friends at this time.
August 2011
The time we all got to know you was but a small drop in the ocean of your life,
But your presence was felt like the roaring waves crashing onto the rocks of the lighthouse shores,
For you were a guiding light, fighting hard to warn so many of the hidden health dangers of our land,
Although your own journey was fraught with difficulties, you stood strong and steadfast,
You never complained or lost your sense of humour and direction,
Your way with words always made the obtuse science seem so very clear,
You were a constant light whose compassion shone through in all communications with others.
The light is faltering just a little right now, for your passing has left an impact on the many lives you touched,
Your compassion, your humour and your constant thoughts for others are just a few of the qualities that shone through to all those in the Lyme community,
And we can only imagine they were felt a hundred fold by those that were proud to call you a husband, a father, a son, a brother, an uncle and a friend.
The light you spread will continue to shine, and will indeed become so much stronger now for all those lives you touched.
We all take comfort in the knowledge that you placed your life in Gods hands and you are now resting peacefully in his arms. Where, free from suffering we know you will continue to look down and give strength to your family and loved ones to work through their tremendous sadness and loss.
Our thoughts and prayers are with all Brendan’s family and friends at this time.
August 2011
