Hi everyone,
For those that were interested, I thought I'd share an update on Marie McQuhae, the young woman who has been gravely ill with Lyme Disease and has been unable to get treatment in Canada. IIt was nearly a month ago that Marie's father placed out a global call for help in a YouTube video to try and save his daughter's life.
Alot of work has been done by many people who answered Marie's father's call for help. Below is an update from a family spokesman and also some links to some videos of Canadian news coverage of Marie's story over the last few days.
In summary, Marie was flown by private aircraft yesterday to California where she will begin intensive treatment for her Lyme and Co-Infections.
Sorry for posting this in the Amalgam Forum everyone. But to be honest, I had promised Jay (Marie's father) that I'd try and share their plight with as many people as I could. I knew that more people might see this in this Forum then in the Lyme Disease Forum.
Thanks for the indulgence.
Blessings to you all,
Sharon
From the McQuhae family and spokesperson...
As of May 26th, 2008
Just got back from the send off in Victoria for Marie.
In attendance was Doug Routley and David Cubberley MLA plus their assistants. We had 4 lyme sufferers show up and two held the banner that I made. As far as media goes we had the following
CBC - radio
A Channel - TV
CHEK - TV
Times Colonist - news paper
Shannon, Peter and Dr. M got off the plane at the airport and I made sure that they each were interviewed. Marie did not leave the van but the cameras did peer in at her The media interviewed myself, plus the two MLA's.
Here is a news story of Marie's departure to the U.S.
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=dYNiGH9SJ-UAs of May 25th, 2008
Dr. Murakami has volunteered to ride along with Marie and tend to her, being very concerned that she arrive safely. Bless you Ernie.
All is approved with London Air - map to South Terminal here:
www.londonair.comLink to the the great ladies in Minnesota who have spent a lot of time helping the cause (accommodations, meds, etc.) and are still working:
www.lymefighters.org Bless you Leslie and Tracie.
Heartfelt thanks to Susan Marra for arranging the appointments for Shannon and Peter.
For those doing send-offs, please keep Ernie, Shannon, and Peter in the loop in terms of media interview opportunities, and advise them of times. Latest time for those leaving on the flight is Vancouver: 11:45 AM
Max luggage 40 lbs/head.
I may turn out at the departure. Just waiting on confirmation from Shannon, who tells me she may have to fly naked because her medical records alone weigh 40 lbs!
Good luck and God's speed to all!
Bill
As of Friday May 23, 2008...
A lot has happened since Marie left the Duncan Hospital as shown in the YouTube Video.
Marie is going to Dr. Harris' clinic in Redwood California for treatment, having an appointment for next Tuesday
With the aid of a very kind LLMD in Seattle, we've managed to get two other very ill Vancouver area Lymies in to see Dr. Harris the day after Marie's appointment, and they will travel with Marie!
A corporate aircraft will be leaving Van Int South Terminal for Victoria at 12:00 PM on Monday with our comrades Shannon, her hubby Graham, and Peter aboard.
The Flight will then depart from Victoria with Marie and Jay aboard heading for Oakland at 1:00 PM. They will travel from Oakland by transporter to accommodation in Redwood, where they will await their appointments with Dr. Harris.
Her condition hasn't improved.
Marie left Victoria General yesterday where she's been since last Sat, having blood work, vitals, organs, etc. examined in preparation for her trip.
While in hospital, she was visited by popular musician Dallas Green (formerly of Alexis on Fire) who mentioned Marie in his performance last night. He had a number of his T-shirts delivered to Marie, and there was mention of it in today's Times Colonist.
A Victoria area clothing company has offered her any clothing she would like to have.
Her father is working constantly to feed her the pure and specialized foods that she can tolerate, and doing what he can to have Marie get as much sleep as possible. Getting her strength up a bit for the trip is the focus right now. She is currently taking micro doses of antibiotics.
Mom Susan has just received confirmation of Babesia in addition to Lyme, and is having a hard time coping as well.
The Vancouver Lyme groups are hoping to have a send off for Shannon and Peter, at Vancouver Int South Terminal, and the Victoria group will be holding one for Marie as well at Victoria Int in Sydney - hopefully with press and MLAs Cubberly and/or Routley in attendance.
Marie's plight and her YouTube video have brought new Lyme awareness, and the maltreatment of BC/Canadian patients to the forefront, and it is a major embarrassment to our Health Care "Regulators" on a world-wide basis.
It has also brought concerned Politicians into the picture, and some Doctors are, at least saying that they are aware of Lyme disease here, but won't risk their practices knowing how the College has treated other MDs will to stand their ground in terms of Lyme Diagnosis and treatment. Some are telling their patients that they can't be treated here, and will have to go to the US!
Along with the success of getting Marie into the US for treatment, the successful May 15th rally at the Legislature has our local Lyme support group members fired up to do even more - and in this case, let's hope it's contageous, spreading to all of Canada's Lymies and Lyme support groups.
With thanks to all who have supported Marie in many ways, and special thanks to a personal friend of Jay's in Ottawa, a certain Seattle LLMD, some wonderful people in Minnesota & New Hampshire, a lawyer helping the McQuhae family, MLAs Cubberly and Routley, Vancouver and Victoria support groups, and Dr. Harris, of course.
(Apologies to anyone whom we may have missed)
Here are some recent news clips
CHEK
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=lHsEMIdNZEkGlobal BC
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=mSMVGlrtWqcNew Story and Video:
http://www.ctvbc.ctv.ca/servlet/an/...080526/20080526/?hub=BritishColumbiaHome 
