TOUCHED BY LYME: Son mourns parents lost to murder-suicide and chronic Lyme
On July 8th, police in Ocala, Florida, made a shocking discovery in a travel trailer at the side of a highway–the bodies of 48-year-old George Strobos and his 49-year-old wife Jonalyn. It turns out the couple, both suffering from advanced Lyme disease, had taken their own lives. Last night, their son, Michael Strobo, of Austin, Texas, made a series of heartfelt postings about his parents on the CALDA Facebook page. Michael subsequently gave me permission to re-post his writings here.
Michael originally wrote in eight different segments on Facebook, which I have compiled into one column here.
showing signs [of Lyme]-everything snowballed so fast I couldn’t keep up. She was hospitalized on two different occasions nearly a year apart for similar episodes of delirium, psychosis, repetitious ranting, organ systems shutting down…The second ER visit the sharp doc diagnosed her with advanced LD. I thought she was partly a hypochondriac when she began reading and searching and reading and reading and talking about all this information which was all alien to me…then she got to taking some antibiotics regimen set forth by someone who wasn’t even an MD.
d unemployment kicked in. Some time in there was really when The Unknown set in… Who’s gonna treat it? Who’s gonna say for sure what it is? How long will it take? How much will it cost? How soon can she go back to work? Is it all in her (their) head??? I’m sure everyone can relate. I feel guilty now, but back then I just didn’t know what to do or think. And I’m sorry for everyone out there who has to experience it. Often times no matter how difficult something is to deal with, it’s a whole lot easier to deal with it if YOU KNOW YOUR ENEMY!! Well as I stated there were a lot of Unknowns.
… I couldn’t keep up with what city they were in or the doctors’ names… My mom’s unemployment got extended a couple of times, which helped a little, but then one day it ran out-soon after her insurance ran out as well. Well this certainly came at a bad time. For months they had slowly been selling off possessions and draining their savings accounts. For almost two months, they lived in a cargo trailer. 5′ x 10′. I’m not kidding. My dad had installed a “kitchen” sink in the front of it, built bunk beds out of 2″ x 2″s and they used pool floaties as cushions to sleep on.
om a guy at a gas station somewhere. Well that pretty much killed their funds. They did return once for one week in April, I was working as a full-time firefighter and attending a full time paramedic program so my time was limited. They looked bad. They both had lost a lot of weight and looked as if they had aged ten years in ten months. We had dinner together one night–I brought pizza. And in the same old nature of my parents, they demanded they pay for their share. I didn’t let them though, and I’ll never forget how they always tried to pay for things like that 🙂 One day we took a several hour drive to pick up a piece of material I had bought for my property.
a few phone calls, emails or texts out of despair. That was not uncommon. I am the only remaining child–my brother died ten years ago from cancer. I helped out a little financially. Mostly I tried to give them hope, give them something to look forward to. Back in December I had purchased 20 acres. The deciding factor for me to buy it was that I was allowed per covenant restrictions to build a main residence and a smaller, second residence on the property. That was going to be where my parents were going to live when they got through this blasted disease.
very windmill they passed growing up as a kid in TX, AZ, and LA. I also promised to give them my .243 caliber hunting rifle as a gift when they got better and could move back home. The .243 is a great caliber for TX Hill Country whitetail deer, and small enough my mom would be able to shoot it with ease. Everytime I talked with them I tried to drive them into The Word. Studying the Word of God. I know from tough times in life, albeit on a much smaller scale, that the best source of peace and hope in this life comes only from God. We have a Creator. A faithful, loving, compassionate Father. I reminded them constantly of this.
to him before bed. This is something I encourage everybody to do. They were in so much pain. Constantly. Emotionally, physically. They had lost everything, including their health. They were living completely on the road. Two trucks and two trailers, one to live in and one to store their last possessions. With no money and no answers. No plan, no outlook. Nothing but grey areas, stress, loss of mental function, constant nausea and analgesic patches……..Well I did get a phone call the day they died. Those details are mine. I don’t know what to say now. I’m sorry there are so many people affected by such a terrible, stealthy enemy.
d prayers. My parents were special people. I spread most of their ashes near where we had spread my brother’s ashes 10 years ago. I kept a little of all 3 of them though. I’m going to spread the rest of it out at my property under that windmill where their ashes can turn back to dust together. I know their souls have already gone back to be with God who gave them. I know I’ll rejoin them one day. Thank you all for taking the time to read this. God bless you, and again, if you need anything, don’t be a stranger!
You can read Michael’s original Facebook postings here.
Read the original news story about his parents here.
Contact blogger Dorothy Kupcha Leland at dleland@lymedisease.org.
this is so heartbreaking.
Dear Michael, I'm so sorry, what a sad story. I wonder who was treating them. What meds were they on. Did they apply for disability benefits?
I contracted Lymes in 1988 & was treated during late stages & still have residual effects from it, arthritis, Fibro & etc. Luckily I am on disability (took 6 yrs). Did they catch a stronger or newer strain? Or do I have worse effects to look forward to. It is a real sceary disease & It is hard to find Doctors that know anything about limes, besides treating it. We need more funding awarness & research to get down to an effective cure.
Michael….you are an amazing kid…i just dont have words to say how sorry i am that your parents felt they had no other choice…ive been battling this beast of a disease for over 3 yrs….housebound/bedbound….too many symptoms to count honestly….no one could ever imagine what this disease can do and continues to do to so many people…its a tsunami…we've been blessed to have the funds to see many top llmd's….sadly…no results…i just started seeing a new doctor in NY that is said to be top at his game….i pray the Lord uses this new doctor to give me a functionable life back…i lay in bed and watch my husband and 4 young adult kids live their lives without the mother i once was….they were my life and now i feel lifeless….we are an army….we are warriors….we are on the front lines of this disease from hell…something will break and when it does it will be huge….May God Bless You and thank you for sharing your parents story…..i cried the whole time while reading your words….
God Bless you and your parents Michael. You are right they are with God now and understand why they went through what they did. I hope you have some support somewhere for what you went through too. I am going to look at your postings on ilads…I have a facebook support group too. You're in my prayers <3
I had LD for 14 years before a doctor would listen. There were times I didn't think I could deal with the pain any more. What kept me half way sane was my relationship with Jesus Christ. I thought of but never more than that as far as taking my life because I got it when my children were 2, 3, and 4 years old. I home schooled them until I was to ill to do it. I wanted as much time with them. I am a survivor! That doesn't mean I've beaten it. They say I am the Bleeding Front..not Leading Front. There is a reason for this. I have grown closer to My Heavenly Father and helped so many others that I couldn't have otherwise.
Your story really touch me. Tears came rapidly. As you know, it would take a book to write the story of my Lyme's. Some day I will. God bless and spread the word!
Such a special person you are. Thank you so very much for sharing your story with us. I truly relate to the challenges your parents have been going through as I have been dealing with this for 6 years now. Some day advancements will be made thanks to every one who gets involved. Blessings.
My sister has chronic lyme. has told me numerous times she feels she would not be here if it were not for me being supportive..long distance. There are 7 children in our family and a half-sister; I am the only one who is taking this disease seriously and trying to be supportive. I do not understand. I pray for Kathy every minute of every day; she is a registered nurse and is losing the capacity to work. Of course the chronic state is due to the stupid, idiotic doctors that she saw initially who told her she needed to see a shrink and that she was dwelling on things, etc….I can only say that those who battle this disease do so in the midst of so much loneliness and isolation. If it weren't for her two sons and now a new grandson, she would not be able many days to find a reason to live. I am so sorry for your loss, but I understand the emotions that drive Lyme sufferers to take such drastic measures. What is wrong with this country that we allow this to go on while we fight wars for other countries and leave our own people here to suffer this way….I am angry….yes, but thank God every day that my sister is still here with us. I just wish my sisters and brothers would understand and show they care….and quit calling her a hypochondriac or saying she is dwelling on it too much, etc. OK; enough. God Bless everyone who is suffering with this horrific disease. Please have mercy on those who have this disease and help us make people aware that this is a real danger and becoming even more prevalent every day.
God bless you and your parents.
They feel free now and they want you to feel free also…time will come when you meet again and dont feel like you could have done more…it is NOT easy for you and wasnt easy…many many hugs!
Michael,
Although in our lives we encounter a lot of challenges….there are times its sweet to think of ending it. Peopel doesnt really understand about Lyme Disease until they have it. I will pray that everybody who is suffering can find solace or innerpeace.
The bone pain is untolerable, sometimes we dont really know what symptoms where having because we have multi symptoms.
I have a eight year old daughter that has Lyme too. Im pouring all my resources towards her treatment. I have live my life, I dont want this LD for my daughter.
One thing you could do is to help spread awareness to everyone. I tried to advocate but a lot of peopel are so ignorant becuase, you see as you describe about your parents…I dont look ill. But inside of me are falling apart.
xoxoxo
Michael, I worked with your Mom for a short period and she was a very special person – energetic, intelligent, knowledgeable, creative and happy. We shared the Word a few times and I believe she is with our Creator, pain free and beautiful and happy again. Don't let her story die. I didn't know anything at all about lyme disease and now I am aware of it's horrible existence and my heart goes out to all who suffer from it and to their loved ones who suffer with them. May their voices be heard and their pain be relieved and their lives blessed in every way possible, in Jesus name. Amen. A big hug for you. G
Michael,
Thank you for sharing! I too suffer Chronic late stage Lyme disease. I very well understand your parents emotions. I understand the struggle to maintain joy and happiness. I also understand what it is like for others looking in from the outside to not understand. I suffer it myself and I still don't understand. I walk with God. And even then there are many days that I do not walk, But God carries me. As a human I lack the strength to go it alone. My peace in this whole thing. Is that it does not matter to me if I survive or die to this illness. We are here for the purpose of glorifying God. My destiny and my future home is Heaven. This is why Christ died and then arose defeating death. This is our gift, this is our salvation. Our grace and God's mercy. There are many days that I am not right in the head. This abyss is often overwhelming and leaves a feeling of hopelessness. I suppose my confession is on the many days I have given up, I also lacked the strength to do anything about it. I've often looked in the mirror, and I've no clue who the guy was that was looking back at me. I've become someone I don't know. This disease effects us in ways we can't describe. I've spent 2 years stumbling through life. There has been times my mind has woken up, while I am in the middle of an activity? Whoa! Who was that robot? Who was in control of my body in my absence? It wasn't me!
Lyme disease has taken my life. But I see it as it wasn't my life anyways, it was God's life. And still is God's life. There are many challenges, many pitfalls.
I am sorry for your loss. I often have no idea how, to tell those that I love, that tomorrow I may not be here. And if I am here tomorrow it is only by the grace of God that I am.
I pray that you can bring others to God through your story. Yes many of us with Lyme Disease are fighting for our lives, yet the TRUE battle is to fight evil, and bring as many to God as we can in the time given to us.
Tim Rice
michael. i have chronic lymes and have been bedridden for eight yrs. sure wish u could speak at our lyme event in DC on May 21st at 11: til 4. my heart breaks for ur lose.
rita farmer
i reposted ur story on my facebook page, hope that is ok. u can find me at rita d. farmer from rising sun md
Michael, stay strong in the Lord and know your parents are exploring the wonders of Heaven. There is NO PAIN now for them, only joy.
We love you. We are proud of you. You are not alone.
Thank you for sharing your story. Myself and 4 year old son both have Lyme. I suspect that my two older children have it as well. There are whispers that it is congenital. Lyme taxes your health, your emotions, your finances and your relationships. We just need to be supported as we battle. All we can do is
Your parents are free from pain. I’m so sorry you lost them.