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Kirsty Keep begs mother to let her die after battling mystery bug

The mum of a young woman who suffered a mysterious bug bite 11 years ago has released a heartbreaking video as her daughter begs her to die.

Theresa Keep captured the moment her daughter Kirsty, 23, lay in a hospital bed sucking in gas and air as she groaned in agony from an unknown illness which has ruined her life.

Kirsty was bitten by a bug in her back garden when she was 12 years old.

Kirsty's mum Theresa Keep has posted a video of her daughter fighting the illness. Picture: SWNS
Kirsty's mum Theresa Keep has posted a video of her daughter fighting the illness. Picture: SWNS

Over the years, the young woman has been struck down with illness almost constantly, which has left her with chronic pain.

Her condition has worsened recently and Kirsty has been in and out of hospital four times just in the last month.

Mum Theresa said Kirsty begs to be taken to a Swiss suicide clinic every day - and fears time is running out for her daughter.

Theresa, from Camp Way, Mangravet, said: "Kirsty doesn't like me taking videos, so I've never shown them to anyone before, but I said to her, people need to see how bad it is.

"It's getting worse and worse.

Video: Kirsty has had to use oxygen therapy as part of her treatment

"She can't believe people still want to help her and she's grateful but she's getting tired.

"She said: 'Just take me home and let me die.' She said it's too much money, it's not worth it, and just asked me to take her to Switzerland.

She asked me: 'Why waste that money, I've got no faith left?'"

For the past seven years, medical experts have said that she has Lupus, but recently a doctor at Guy's Hospital said this is not the case.

Theresa believes she may have Lyme Disease but tests in the UK came back negative, so her family and friends are resorting to alternative tests.

Kirsty Keep has been fighting the illness for 11 years. Picture: SWNS
Kirsty Keep has been fighting the illness for 11 years. Picture: SWNS

Recently she travelled to Germany hoping for treatment.

Kirsty was driven by her mum to ArminLabs in Augsburg, Bavaria, which specialises in testing for chronic infections originating from tick-borne diseases.

Mum Theresa has always been adamant Miss Keep has lyme disease, contracted from a tick bite when she was 12.

But she said doctors can’t determine whether it’s lyme disease until her daughter recovers from a number of other illnesses.

She said: “They couldn’t get a positive diagnosis for lyme because she has five blood infections. She needs to get rid of those before they can test her properly, but she’s too weak for treatment.

“One of the doctors asked Kirsty ‘Are you willing to fight for your life?’. They told me ‘You’ve got one poorly girl here’.

Kirsty Keep, 23, - pictured on a good day in her battle with a mystery illness. Picture: SWNS
Kirsty Keep, 23, - pictured on a good day in her battle with a mystery illness. Picture: SWNS

“The journey was hell, it was too much for her. We were supposed to leave on Tuesday, April 12, for an appointment on Thursday, but she was rushed into hospital, so we left on Wednesday and got there at 2.30am.”

In a bid to kill bacteria that will be in her body if she does have lyme disease, Miss Keep has daily oxygen therapy, costing £90 a session, which is quickly using up £16,000 raised by well-wishers.

She is taking a concoction of vitamins recommended by the German doctors but is often sick so struggles to keep them down.

The family now believe a treatment centre in Florida, U.S. called the Sponaugle Wellness Institute may be the only answer.

Kirsty Keep, who was told she had lupus
Kirsty Keep, who was told she had lupus

Mrs Keep hopes the institute will finally provide the treatment to help her daughter get better but she still has concerns, including the cost of treatment.

She said: "They do all sorts out there. They start with a treatment that will do something to the brain to stop the pain, it stops the nervous system feeling pain. And they can deal with the toxicity from the lyme disease.

"I really want to get her out there but she's being rushed into hospital every couple of days at the moment.

"Last week they had to call an ambulance during her oxygen therapy because she was in so much pain and she's back at Maidstone Hospital this morning due to pain and vomiting."

At a cost of roughly £3,500 per week for treatment, Mrs Keep has estimated a 12-week course - the minimum required - with flights, accommodation and living costs, will set the family back about £40,000 and she is desperately appealing for more donations.

Kirsty Keep, 23, centre, with sister Kerrie, 22, and friend Holli Breeze Hughes, 23
Kirsty Keep, 23, centre, with sister Kerrie, 22, and friend Holli Breeze Hughes, 23
Kirsty Keep with mum Theresa
Kirsty Keep with mum Theresa

She continued: "We've raised more than £20,000 so far but we've spent about £6,000 on bloods, oxygen therapy and going to Germany.

"They can see her any week in June so the sooner the better. I'm just scared we'll get out there and there won't be enough money to carry on.

"Some people recover after 12 weeks but others take a year to treat. Can you imagine that sort of money?"

In a moving Facebook post, the single mum-of-three said: "I really feel time is running out.

"I hate to ask for this but I don't have a choice. Thank you all for what you a have already done love to you all."

To donate to Kirsty, go to

https://www.gofundme.com/8pnwn724

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