Obituary with guest book should be online in a few days at the site above
Funeral 2:00 p.m. Sunday
Rosedale Baptist Church 7457 Rosedale Rd Rosedale, WV 26636
Church where Bea & Steve were married -- 20th wedding anniversary (Sept 12) was the day Steve was flown by helicopter to Roanoke Memorial Hospital due to lung failure (ARDS) most likely caused by babesia or some closely related blood borne parasite
Burial at Bourn Family Cemetary in Rosedale -- located on Bea's parents farm
Memorial contributions can be made to
Lyme Disease Association, Inc. P.O. Box 1438 Jackson, New Jersey 08527
You can pick from several lyme related charities listed on the contribution form. Contributions are tax deductible.
My address:
Bea Seibert 1506 Mulberry Rd Apt 12 Martinsville, VA 24112
Yes that is my real name and address -- did not know enough to sign in anonymously when I joined LymeNet and after everything that has happened to Steve and I over the years I certainly don't plan to go into hiding now.
Bea Seibert
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Steve was one of the kindest and bravest people I knew as well as being my best friend.
I am humbled by all the condolences.
Steve's LLMD called tonight -- is sending flowers and wanted to know if I needed a short term loan.
I said no -- my family would help out until I get finances straightened out -- Steve being an accountant did have life insurance. It will repay my older brother who has helped us out greatly over the last 12 years and pay off all the remaining credit cards. I should be ok until I decide what to do with the rest of my life.
Am sending Steve's LLMD leftover supplements and IV supplies to give to other patients.
Got another unexpected call tonight. Dr Kilani at Clongen had been in New York meeting with Brian Fallon and others. Dr Kilani plans to come for either visitation or the funeral.
Dr Kilani is convinced that babesia or whatever bloodborne parasite he saw on Steve's slide is what killed him. Am sending him some additional blood -- the hospital drew vials of every color as we were still waiting on the F lab test kit and didn't know exactly what vials we needed for those tests.
Don't know if Clongen will find anything else in Steve's blood, but I would so like to prove to the hospital docs that Steve still had an active lyme infection even though he had been treated.
Although Steve was sedated and paralyzed with meds I really feel like he hung on until the Clongen report came in just to prove the docs wrong -- he did have an active babesia infection -- or at least some closely related blood borne parasite.
Steve had had such a hard time getting docs to believe over the years that he was really sick and not psychiatric because he did not have the "correct" test results -- never ever had a remotely close to positive Western Blot for example.
The elderly gentleman I mentioned before on the hospital ethics committee came to visit one day when I was out of the room. My sister was in the room with Steve and he told her that he admired me because I had done the research and knew more about Steve's illnesses than the doctors did. That is validating, but it also makes me sad and mad -- it should not be that way.
Bea Seibert
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
This is excellent, Bea.
There is an area on the form that states: "Please acknowledge my donation to"
I hate to burden you during this very difficult time, but would it be possible for you tell us all a PO Box/City/State/Zip so we can fill out this info? This section also allows us to post comments, which I think would be a good thing.
If you do not wish to do this, no worries. I will still fill out the form and make a contribution in Steve's name.
I continue to keep you in my prayers. You are an amazing and inspirational person and a true warrior. May God bless you and keep you throughout the difficult days ahead.
Posted by seibertneurolyme (Member # 6416) on :
Beaches -- added my address.
Thank you.
Bea Seibert
Posted by gatorade girl (Member # 24896) on :
Hello Bea, My girls and I have been thinking of you. You are in our thoughts and prayers.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
Bea, given your extraordinary devotion to your husband, it's not surprising that he was your best friend.
It is so good to see that so many have expressed their condolences. For your LLMD to call you and and ask if you needed a loan? Wow. And forDr. Kilani to call you? Wow, again.
I don't think you realize the extent to which you and Steve have touched and influenced the Lyme Disease community.
I don't doubt for a minute that all of Steve's suffering and all of your tireless research and dedication is in vain. Nor do I doubt that he hung on long enough to prove those doctors wrong.
It really saddens me to hear that Steve went through so much trying to get docs to understand what he was going through. So many here can relate to that -- especially regarding the BS psych dx and being seronegative.
The elderly guy on the ethics committee who said he admired you because you had done so much research and knew more than the docs did was so on target.
But yes, it should not be that way.
Posted by beaches (Member # 38251) on :
To anyone making contributions to LDA on Steve Seibert's behalf:
-- Note that Bea's address does not come up automatically when you are making a contribution. Since Bea has posted her address publicly on this thread I will re-post it:
Bea Seibert 1506 Mulberry Rd Apt 12 Martinsville, VA 24112
-- Also note that if you already have a paypal account, it will be a bit easier to contribute. If you don't, using a VISA or MASTERCARD is apparently the preferred method as I was not able to contribute using AMEX.
--And please notice and take advantage of the fact that you have a choice of where you can direct your contribution (eg, education, research) and that you can post your comments!
If I may, I'd humbly ask the membership here to give a few dollars to LDA in memory of Steve.
And hey, if you happen to have some extra big bucks lying around, please consider giving a more sizable donation.
Posted by tickled1 (Member # 14257) on :
Bea,
I am so sorry for your tremendous loss. You both fought so long and hard and as you said, I really feel Steve hung on just long enough to prove those doctors wrong.
I just know that all you have both done to educate those doctors will benefit others. If they from here on out choose to ignore that the tests proved what you were saying was right all along then that would be just criminal.
Steve's poor body was just too tired to keep going but what you both have done to promote awareness will help save others.
Have you spoken with higher ups in the hospital to drive the point home that the tests prove that Steve's ARDS was caused by babesia? That should be on file somewhere and maybe published in various papers?
My hope would be that all hospitalist doctors everywhere be presented with an outline of Steve's case so that they can consider TBI's in patients that present like Steve and so that they know what tests to run in a reasonable amount of time.
God bless you Bea and may you find peace in the days, weeks and years to come.
Posted by twicebitten (Member # 5412) on :
So sorry Bea, I hadn't been on lm for a few days, so many doc appt.'s. I'm SO sorry for your loss. I can't imagine it myself. When my dad passed in 2007 was the worst death I've experienced so far. My thoughts and prayers are with you. God bless you and keep you through this very tough time.
Posted by lax mom (Member # 38743) on :
Posted by payne (Member # 26248) on :
Lord, over see Bea with angels to guide her thoughts and choices, ward off anyone trying to intervine with Her privacy and this wave of LOVE, from day forward... No GREATER LOVE then HIS. All praises to God, and our Brother Jesus ! for His Blood is ours. Cover Us, Many Blessings to those whom call upon THE LORD. wayne we are all in this together & we are pulling for you .. Posted by lost11 (Member # 34607) on :
Do not know you Bea.. But you sound like one hell of a woman. I'm very sorry for your loss. May your loved one Steve now rest in peace with no more pain and suffering. Sad.. Sad that tick borne infections do kill when many believe they don't. God bless you. <3
Lost
Posted by unsure445 (Member # 15962) on :
You are such a strong women. My condolences to you and your family for your loss.
It sounds like Steve was quite a fighter. May he rest in peace.
Sending blessings to you.
Posted by jupiter76 (Member # 37697) on :
I am so sorry to hear that...sending blessings from Germany. Hope you will continue here to support others.
Posted by LymeCFIDSMCS (Member # 13573) on :
Bea, it was more than obvious that you were Steve's best friend, partner, confidante, and everything else. It's rare in this day and age to see the level of devotion and love and kindness and friendship you showed.
Would Dr Kilani personally review the bloodwork any further? It's wonderful he might come by the visitation.
I bet you are right about Steve hanging on long enough to get the Clongen results -- his experience certainly has validated mine as well.
Wish I could be there to personally support you, but I continue to keep you in my thoughts and prayers.
Posted by momindeep (Member # 7618) on :
Praying for you Bea...asking the Lord that He will reveal to you His bigger plan as the days and weeks go by.
Personally, we lost a Lyme community member and I am saddened much by that...but I truely believe that Steve's story isn't over yet...not by a long shot.
Posted by Sammi (Member # 110) on :
Bea, my heart is broken for your loss. You and Steve had a love that many never experience. You are such an inspirational and courageous woman.
Even though we here at Lymenet know that Steve had Babesia, I am so glad his results proved it. It is terrible that so many of us are doubted, when we are extremely sick, because unreliable tests are wrong.
Prayers continue for you and your family.
Posted by CD57 (Member # 11749) on :
Crying and pit in stomach as I read this. So sorry Bea. We love you.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I am so heartbroken, Bea you are a warrior.
Posted by merrygirl (Member # 12041) on :
I am having trouble getting to the funeral home link?
Posted by Pocono Lyme (Member # 5939) on :
Bea, My heartfelt condolences to you and your family. Your advocacy on Steve's behalf has inspired me so much. I also admire your generosity of spirit in wanting to help all of the rest of the Lyme sufferers. I hope you can find the peace that you so deserve.
Posted by map1131 (Member # 2022) on :
yes, it looks as if a company has that url address. I tried just seaching for funeral home and was able to find the site that way.
Pam
Posted by a mom (Member # 23920) on :
Bea,
Please make sure you take care of yourself! Get good rest, eat good food, not junk, try to get the good stuff! Walk each day for 15 - 20 mintues, NO LYME STUFF when you walk.
I am going to donate to ILADS and NatCapLyme for Steve.
It was doctors and reaserchers from ILADS who were willing to answer our desparate call for help. I asked ILADS Barbara if there would be a good way to acknowlege and thank them.
NatCapLyme was the organization who responded and connected you to the structure in Virginia.
Thank you for everything you and Steve have done for us and your generous and kind spirits!
HUGS
Janet
Posted by AuntyLynn (Member # 35938) on :
Posted by sparkle7 (Member # 10397) on :
Hang in there, Bea. May the higher powers grant you strength in going through all of this.
Posted by Keebler (Member # 12673) on :
- Bea,
Continued warm thoughts, love and light headed your way. -
![[group hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[hi]](graemlins/hi.gif)