My daughers, Alana and Lydia Krzyzak, received the Gardasil vaccine in July and October 2007, and since that time have become chronically ill. At the time of the first vaccine, Alana was 15 and Lydia was 11.
Their symptoms started within two weeks after receiving the second vaccine and initially presented as flu-like symptoms, with generalized achiness, fatigue, and progressed to include strep throat, swollen glands. The symptoms continued to progress over the next few months to include: headaches, stomach pain, dizziness, strep throat, pneumonia, weight loss, severe fatigue, nose bleeds, mouth sores, numbness & tingling in the legs, difficulty breathing, foggy thinking, concentration issues, cognitive issues, personality changes and confusion. After months of doctor visits and antibiotics, there was no improvement in the symptoms. The doctor did another round of tests and found that everything was normal no signs of illness, but yet, the girls were still ill.
These girls who were previously healthy, active, A+ students, were unable to get out of bed for more than a few hours a day. They were unable to concentrate long enough to make it through a class. They were unable to comprehend their studies and were unable to maintain their grades. The head pain made it difficult to tolerate light or sound. The stomach pain made it impossible to eat, causing Lydia to lose a great deal of weight in just a couple months. The weakness and fatigue made it impossible for them to participate in family, school, church or social activities. The pain made them hurt so much that they could not tolerate even the lightest touch. Lydia who was a swimmer, volleyball player and track athlete, was unable to make it through a single practice.
There were many nights that I would sit and hold them through the night, as I was afraid they would not make it until morning. Including the days after a doctor told me that Alana was so ill that “she really needs to be in the hospital, however, there is nothing I can give her by IV that she is not allergic to and there are things going around the hospital right now that if she were to get, we would have no defense for!” The fear was more than any of us could stand.
It was April of 2008 before we were able to piece together what was happening with Alana & Lydia. Since that time, we have begun working with several practitioners to regain their health. Those providers have included an Integrated Manual Therapist, three different Chiropractors and a Reiki Master/Hypnotherapist. Insurance covers very little of this treatment and has had to be paid for completely out of pocket.
It has now been 13 months since the girls have been completely off all medications and have been working on repairing the damage to their organs and detoxifying from the vaccines. They are so much better, but still deal with many of the residual symptoms and every day is a struggle. We now have hope that one day they will be healthy again.
I am very proud of the young women they have become. They are working hard everyday to keep up with their studies and get back into the activities they love so much. In addition to that, they have spent hours helping other girls injured by vaccines and counseling friends and strangers regarding the potential side effects of the Gardasil vaccine.