A young woman's brave and amazing fight against Lyme Disease will inspire and give hope.

My name is Kim, I am 25 years old and this is my story. My hopes on writing this and telling a hardship that lasted over 16 years is to provide hope and validation for every patient, family member, or doctor who is fighting this beast of a disease!

At age 10, I became sick with blood in my stools, joint pain, fatigue and headaches.

Months later I was diagnosis with Chrons disease. My symptoms continued over the years and became more severe.

Over the past 16 years I have taken various medicines: Uceris, Lialda, Humeria, Remicaid, Asocal, Colossal, 6mp, Flagial, Prednisone, Hydrocodon , Oyxcodon, Tramodol, Firocet, Butural, Naproxen, Zomig, Cymbalta, Topamax, Muscle relaxers, Anti depressants , Steroid injections, Botox ....and more! (I know it's too much to read! You should try taking them all-ha!) I have also seen various specialists: Gastroenterologist, Rheumatologist, Neurologist, Psychiatrist, Cardiologist, Hematologist, Orthopedist, Acupuncturist, Psychiatrist, Chiropractor, and Nutritionist. However, none of the specialist I saw seemed to think anything else was wrong.

My symptoms never seemed to clinical match JUST Crohn's disease. My symptoms persisted and became worse over the years. At age 15 Boston's children's hospital advised me I should have my colon removed and "everything else would get better."At age 16 Rochester children's hospital advised me the headaches were related to havingan immune disease and so was the joint pain. "There was nothing else they could do."At age 17 John Hopkins Hospital advised me to have my colon removed and see a psychiatrist. "It maybe caused by stress or depression."At age 23 my neurologist told me "there were no other treatments at this time" and that I should look into having my occipital nerve cut. At age 23 they also found pre cancerous cells in my rectum, my headaches were daily, and the pain in my body was constant. I had multiple hospital stays per year, saw various doctors, took numerous medications, and had an array of diagnostic tests done, yet still no answers!

I began to believe this was life so I fought everyday. To finish school, to work, to have a social life, to smile through the pain, to do daily activities. It all seemed hard, every little thing. And pain became a daily occurrence.

At 24 my body gave up. It didn't matter how much I fought. I could no longer go on.

I started to become nauseous, fainted at work, couldn't remember things, had trouble finding my words, my joints were very stiff, I was in unbelievable pain and, I was beyond weak.

I lost everything that year. My job, my apartment, my social life, and my independence. Soon I could no longer get out of bed. And my family feed me, bathed me, and took care of me around the clock like a child again.

But then something changed. At 24 years old, April of 2014

my mom found the Stram Center and Dr. Ronald Stram. Also known as,

my superheroes! TOGETHER began to fight the hardest battle thus far, treating me for LYME DISEASE!

Getting my diagnosis was half the battle. We had a long road ahead that consisted of bilaterally pic lines, a port placement and aggressive antibiotic treatment both orally and intravenously. We took steps forward and also had many setbacks. My hope dwindled at times and I began to doubt ever becoming well. However, after 1 year and 9 months of treatments and the unwavering support and determination of the Stram Center, I am finally off all Crohns medicines for the first time in 14 years and off all migraine medicines for the first time in 10 years.

I still have my colon after 5 different gastroenterologists said there was no hope and it should be surgically removed. I had a colonoscopy 3 months ago that was normal for the first time in 14 years. NO ulceration! My daily debilitating headaches and neck pain are improving for the first time in over 6 years and lastly my fatigue has decreased significantly! I see myself enjoy everyday life instead of struggling just to get by.

What did the Stram center do? They listened, they believed me, and they treated me for LYME DISEASE! They saved my life and even more so changed my life!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I prayed for a miracle and we found it!

IT WAS YOU! I still wonder why after 16 years of suffering and 9 specialist later, why I was fortunate enough to find you? I thank god everyday and promise to use this hardship for the better. To educated and help others. To work hard and never waste this second chance I was given at a healthy future! You gave me my life back and made me healthy for the first time since I was 10 years old. Keep fighting the good fight! Keep being that ONE doctor who listens who believes, who thinks outside of the box! Thank you will never be enough!

The healing grace  Ronald Stram  and the Stram Center have given me

is MY MIRACLE!!

I  had my first massage with Leslee and as someone who has had body work from numerous massage therapists, I am so impressed by Leslee's presence and professionalism. She used a variety of relaxing massage techniques that enabled the pain in my muscles and mental fatigue to resolve. She also gave me insight o how I can help the pain at home. I've already scheduled several more sessions to work on my chronic neck and back pain. I highly recommend Leslee.

I had come to live with a shoulder that had very little range of motion. My doctors said that I could possibly have surgery to improve my mobility. Then I met with Dr. Stram who suggested I try  softwave therapy.

After my first treatment, which only took 15 minutes, and didn't hurt at all, I came out of the room showing off to my wife and everyone around me how I was able to move my shoulder again in a circle for the first time in ages! I could not believe it.. I recommend this treatment to everybody. It beats surgery that's for sure. I will have a few  more treatments over the next couple months but that is fine with me! Thanks Dr Stram for always looking out for new and natural treatments to help your patients. 

From Henry R.

Dearest Dr. Stram, Thank you for suggesting and having soft wave therapy. After the first therapy, for the first time, Roger was able to move his big toe, feel his heel and his calf muscle is larger and firmer. He is able to stand longer without pain. After one treatment.....

my fingers are more flexible, my knuckles are less red and swollen. I have been sleeping better because my arms no longer hurt. We are so  grateful to you and your staff for your continued dedication, efforts, and support in  helping Roger and I to maintain and improve our health and quality of life.

~ Renee and Roger

Highly recommend the Stram Center. Their doctors are highly knowledgeable and compassionate, and they work together to find solutions for their patients. Instead of just prescriptions, they use a variety of treatments, such as throrough bloodwork, allergy identification, special hormone testing, supplements, nutrition, oxygen & IV therapy, and PRP. When other doctors didn’t know how to treat me and and/or denied there was anything wrong, my doctor really listened to me and knew exactly the path to take. I am so very grateful to the wonderful staff at the Stram Center

This place is amazing. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and inviting. My spouse has been treated for the last 3 months with hyperbaric oxygen and IV infusions.

This place is amazing. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable and inviting. My spouse has been treated for the last 3 months with hyperbaric oxygen and IV infusions.

4 months ago he was not expected to live. I was told to get anyone important to the hospital immediately. I’m being asked what measures I want done if his heart were to stop again. He has severe rhabdomyolysis, went into cardiac arrest causing an anoxic brain injury and end stage ischemia in every organ system.

After 2 weeks in the hospital he is sent home. Im told there is no treatment and no medication for his injuries. The doctors had pretty much written him off. He couldn’t tell you his birthday. He didn’t speak unless spoken to and even then it was rare and only a word or 2. Couldn’t make a bowl of cereal. Had no interaction with anyone. He could walk right past me as if I didn’t exist.

Then I discovered The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine. We attended the first appointment and the provider provided so much information and guidance and together we developed a care plan. When i had questions the staff was knowledgeable and able to provide clear and understandable information.

During these 10 weeks of treatment he has improved dramatically. He has gone from a just being alive to learning to live again. He began cooking, helping with some house chores, smiling, laughing, and interacting with others. His cognitive tests have gone from severely diminished to normal. Together with The Stram Center he is regaining the skills I was told he wouldn’t. Areas of his brain that I was told were dead and they will never heal have indeed repaired themselves.

Rhabdomyolysis stole him, hospital teams gave up on him, The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine is giving him back.

Thank you so much. You guys truly are amazing and I am grateful to have you on our side through this journey.

To Dr. Stram & Staff:

For the first part of my journey with Lyme and co-infections, I left each doctor’s appointment in tears.  Tears of frustration, fear, and helplessness.  I went to the Stram Center hoping for a better path.  I also finished each appointment with Dr. Stram in tears – and it wasn’t because of his bad jokes – they were tears of hope and tears of pure happiness.

When my husband and I entered the doors at the Stram Center for the first time, we didn’t think a “normal” life would ever be possible again.  In our minds, Lyme and all its fun friends would forever be a part of our new normal.  This past summer, we walked through those doors again – this time with our three kids – better than normal.  Not only is Lyme not a part of my life anymore, but I feel better than I did before getting sick.  

There is such a comfort in knowing that we have Dr. Stram in our corner.  His expertise has guided us now through so much more than Lyme Disease.  He’s our health guru and is constantly helping us get to the root cause of what might be making us feel anything less than perfect.  There is no greater gift as parents than knowing our family’s health is in the very best hands.

What we’ve learned over the years is that the reason Dr. Stram can be the doctor he is happens because of the team with which he’s surrounded himself.  They allow him to be able to be continually learning and staying at the forefront of the modalities that keep his patients feeling their very best.  I think they even laugh at his jokes too!

Dr. Stram and staff – you not only saved my life but made it better than I ever imagined possible.  The care you give our entire family is priceless and to this day makes me cry tears of happiness and hope.  “Thank you” will never be enough.

With so much love and appreciation, 

Jess and the entire Hudson family

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I first went to the Stram Center back in 2018 for gut related health issues and was impressed by their comprehensive Food Sensitivity testing protocol, in addition to their complete GI Map test.These measures, in addition to advice from their nutritionist gave me the tools necessary to take the next steps toward improving my gut health. The Stram Center takes a holistic approach to medicine and are most concerned about your overall health and wellness, incorporating various aspects of the mind and body into a treatment plan that is effective. All of the staff made me feel super comfortable and well taken care of, providing me with the information and treatment options to best lead me on a path of improved health and wellness. I cannot recommend this practice enough and feel lucky to have had a great experience with the amazing doctors and nurses who work there!

The Stram Center for Integrative Medicine has been such a wonderful place of healing and support for me. My journey with Lyme Disease has been helped so much through their expert care and devotion to my well-being. Can't say enough about how supportive they have been, amazing caring staff, professional, and dedicated to finding the right treatment in a very client-centered way. - Anonymous 

The Stram Center is one of the most professional and caring offices I have ever experienced! Each employee is interested and compassionate to the patients needs. Dr Stram and his providers are some of the most highly trained people in the nation and aided me making great strides in regaining my health after a five year struggle with Lyme complications. Highly regarded and highly recommended