Bay Area Lyme Spotlights Series
“If you have someone who’s sick and you are treating them and they’re not getting better, then either the treatment is wrong or the diagnosis is wrong.”
– David Haney, PhD
Nancy Haney was a highly respected pediatric physical therapist who developed serious health problems that were misdiagnosed over many years, leading to delays in treatment. After exhaustive efforts, it was determined that Nancy had developed an autoimmune condition—likely triggered by Lyme disease—that resulted in debilitating symptoms and complications, including a long-lasting case of shingles, which eventually led to a fatal hemorrhagic stroke. David Haney, Nancy’s husband, recounts his tireless pursuit to find Nancy appropriate care and treatment. Despite his efforts, the mainstream medical system repeatedly failed to correctly diagnose and treat Nancy’s underlying conditions, which led to a tragic and preventable outcome.
David’s story is a call to action for greater awareness, more comprehensive training for doctors, and a fundamental shift in the medical community’s approach to complex, multifaceted infection-associated chronic conditions. Nancy’s case highlights the critical need for improved awareness, diagnostic tools, and treatment approaches for complex cases involving Lyme and tick-borne diseases. Only then can we hope to prevent other families from enduring the same treatment failures as the Haney family.