Mold-Help.org - The world's largest TOXIC MOLD website
  • Mold Basics
    • Mold Overview
    • Mold Symptoms
    • Mold Types & Images
    • Fungal Infections
  • Resources and Tools
    • Home Care
    • Health & Diet
    • Tips for Parents
    • Coping with Loss
    • Private Research
    • Legal Suggestions
    • Mold in the Bible
  • Mold News
    • Current Headlines
    • “Sick Buildings”
    • The Environment
    • Construction Industry
    • Govt. & Politics
    • The Workplace
    • Landlords & Tenants
    • Insurance Companies
    • Schools & Institutions
    • Strange Fungal Tales
    • Personal Mold Stories
    • Additional Articles
  • Agencies & Experts
  • About Mold-Help
    • Mold-Help News
  • Search
  • Menu Menu
  • Twitter
  • Facebook

Pat and the Ramifications of Fungal Exposure

October 3, 2004/in Personal Mold Stories /by Carolyn Willbanks

I would like to tell you about a recent occurrence (problem) I have just experienced. I was told years ago that I was definitely exposed to mold in a apt in which I was living. An environmental agency, (the president, no less) saw the mold, & told me I needed to move immediately, or I was going to die! For over 6 years I have been seen by many pulmunologist & other specialists, & most have gotten to the point they simply don’t know how to treat me.

I have doctors. that are telling me that I have an acid reflux problem, (despite the 900 mgs of Zantac I am now taking) & others tell me acid reflux absolutely does NOT cause the mucus my body keeps developing. I just know I am almost always congested & that the only real relief I can get is drinking lots of water so I can throw up (gross I know, sorry.) & when it comes up in comes out in chunks, clods etc.

As I discussed with Susan from this website a few months ago, I was finally so fed up with no help and results, I decided to go to a specialist that was listed on this web-site under doctors per state. When I met with this toxicologist/mold expert, A Dr. Wassenger, partner of Dr. Gary Ordog, Santa Clarita, CA, he spent about 2 hrs. with me taking lots of notes. His conclusion was that I definitely was suffering from mold/fungus infestation. He told me that I should move (again) out of the apt. I currently live in, and of course I should sue the present owner of the building. (This apt. is not far from the ocean and we get a lot of marine layer. Normally I would clean it, but in the past two years I have been quite ill & not been able to keep up w/the cleaning.) According to the Dr.-I should contact an attorney, he gave me a list with whom he works (Wassenberger) and they will front me the $ to proceed w/needed tests to find out what type & to extent this stuff has damaged my body.

Wassenberger told me the needed tests he requires are most likely not covered by insurance and they are VERY costly. (Especially for me since I am forced to live on Social Security Disability and have Medi-Medi coverage! Don’t get me wrong, I’m extremely grateful for that coverage, but this is a horrible way to live financially when you have advanced college degrees and have worked in fairly high paying positions.)

I left the doctor’s office (in June,2002) very depressed as I had/have no idea how I could enlist his help. I also told this doctor I was suffering from breast cancer discovered in June 2001) fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, memory lapses etc. After pondering my situation, and talking to friends & my current pulm. doctor. I figured I had no other alternative but to continue on the path I have been walking, since I saw no way I could pay for these tests etc. Within days after that first apt. w/Dr. W., I sadly canceled my appointment. Well, now I’m in a bigger mess than before! Tuesday 7/30/02, as I was going home from the Marina del Rey, CA dog park with 5 dogs in my car (typical, I have become a pet sitter and at times had more in my car) I started coughing, very hard and deep.

Normally I try to drink a lot of water, when I can to drown the cough, enabling me to throw up the gunk in my throat/lungs, (as stated before) but I had run out of water!! Here I am in bumper to bumper “rush hour” traffic, can’t turn off this 4 lane street, to pull over. I have explained to all of my recent Drs. that in the last 6 mos. I have been admitted to the emergency room 3 times, they give me breathing treatments, then release me. Almost all Drs., even my Pulm. w/whom I have been w/for 6 + years has said he simply doesn’t know what else to do for me. I am on a ton of drugs, etc. I’ve told him that recently this coughing sometimes is so deep & long that I get extremely light headed, and I feel very faint.

I cough, cough, cough etc. until I almost faint. My complaints have fallen on deaf eyes, especially when I bring up the mold exposure possibility!! Well, as I was driving on this busy street, I’m trying to do “self-talk,” trying not to panic. I am holding on to the steering wheel for dear life, hoping to get to the upcoming street, where I can get off & park. HA! The next thing I know, a young woman had opened my car door, shaking me saying, “lady, lady, are you alright?) I looked up & I had run my car off the street on to an apt. building yard, knocking down a metal gate!!! I had “blacked out” & the police had already arrived, ambulance, & a crowd had gathered, about 25-30 strong. I had to go to the hospital, they hardly treated me & what attention was horrible, after 2+ hrs. they finally gave me a breathing treatment (even though I couldn’t catch my breath etc. & they could see that!) The LAPD collision office continued his questioning @ the hospital (I think he thought I was “on something,”) & now I understand I may loose my driver’s license!! The next day, after being released from the hospital, where they absolutely did nothing, & I mean nothing, except put 5 needles in my hand, that never were connected to anything!!) I called Dr. Wassenberger’s office and he met with me the next day. He again reminded me of all the blood tests he really needs to treat me properly, (which of course I can’t pay for…..) put me back on the Prednisone, that I just got off of a month ago, (because of a mistake the radiology staff made, while getting the last cancer treatments!) And a anti-fungal medication, which should help my lungs somewhat, as he is convinced the fungus is definitely contributing to my problems. It also should help my fingernails since I lost all of them, most of my toe nails, and now there is fungus under the nails. But these problems are minor since I am looking at loosing my right to drive, which I desperately need, (Doctor appointments about 4 a wk., picking up, dropping off and entertaining/exercising dogs that are in my care!!!

Thank goodness I have decent car insurance, no tickets, points accidents, & I have NEVER experienced such a frightening “event.” But I understand I may still lose my driving rights, since this was such a serious situation. Thank goodness no other people were involved, I know I was going very slow, 10-15 mph, since it was bumper to bumper. Also, I have an old car (1990 Nissan) that was in almost perfect shape, but no coverage on mine as the insurance co. told me to not bother since the car wouldn’t be worth it. So, the insurance co. won’t have too much to pay out. HA! Now my car has a front end w/ “prison stripes!” Great!

In summation, I thought that mold exposure problems still don’t seen to be accepted or acknowledged most “main stream” doctors, etc.. I can not tell you how frustrated, mad, scared & totally confused I am about this whole “misunderstanding” of the health problems, mold can create!! If you have any idea how better I can tackle this horrid situation, please let me know. The problem is, I don’t have the $$$ that it takes to do much.

My cancer is in remission, I guess, since I’ve just completed the last radiation treatment. My hair is now about 1/8″ long, my nails look like I have a very dirty “chewed” look, but I am grateful that my cancer was treatable. What gets me is that the cancer issue seemed minor-to me anyway (yet got all the attention) whereas I feel like I AM dying when I get so congested. It affects my speech, I’m almost always “gurgling” & when I do start to cough, people become very concerned I may have a virus, or something, & move away from me!! And as stated, few “medical experts” address this issue and they say they they don’t accept this “mold problem theory!” I have always been considered a fighter, but I’ve about lost all the fight that’s left in me!!!!! I sure wish I could get some support from folks that don’t cost me $$, since my grandiose life style just doesn’t support it!

Carolyn Willbanks
Author: Carolyn Willbanks

Tags: mold, fungal exposure, toxic mold, mold stories, Pat and the ramifications of fungal exposure, black mould, landlord deceiving tenants, moldy apartment, mold exposure problems
Share this entry
  • Share on Facebook
  • Share on Twitter
  • Share on Reddit
  • Share by Mail
https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png 0 0 Carolyn Willbanks https://www.mold-help.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/moldhelp-654x300.png Carolyn Willbanks2004-10-03 21:02:272019-02-17 20:10:44Pat and the Ramifications of Fungal Exposure
You might also like
Mold-Help logo Cleanup Gets Mold Out Of High School
Mold-Help logo PHS: Mold At School Is Not a Health Issue
Mold-Help logo Trained Dogs Proving Successful Mold Detection
Drawing of Fungi Life Cycle© biology.gatech.edu The Life Cycle of Fungi
Mold-Help logo Aspergillosis
Mold-Help logo North Carolina Councilwoman Helps Apartment Complex Tenants with Mold

Mold News

  • Current Headlines
  • "Sick Buildings"
  • The Environment
  • Construction Industry
  • Govt. & Politics
  • The Workplace
  • Landlords & Tenants
  • Insurance Companies
  • Schools & Institutions
  • Personal Mold Stories
  • Strange Fungal Tales
  • Additional Articles

Latest Posts

  • Michigan Family Finds Toxic Mold Inside Home
  • California Winter Storms: Water Damage and Mold Exposure Concerns in California
  • Office and Commercial Buildings at Risk for Mold after COVID-19 Closings
  • COVID-19 Symptoms May Include Loss of Taste and Smell
  • New Mold Detox Information on the Horizon
  • COVID-19 Courses of Action
  • Stachybotrys
  • Simple and Easy Ways to Prevent the Coronavirus
  • Your Air Conditioning Unit Helps Eliminate Mold
  • Construction Workers Are Learning to Control Dust and Debris

Search Our Site:

Need Help with Mold?

Are you being affected by mold or other mycotoxins in your environment? Our team and community has over 15 years experience and can provide guidance. You can reach us by submitting your contact or through our Facebook page.

Have a Story to Share?

We're looking for stories and input to expand our database and to add to the personal experiences we've received from the thousands of victims over the last 15. If mold has impacted your life, please take the time to share your story. Your information is confidential and will only be shared with your permission.

Seeking Mold Experts

Are you an expert in the treatment of mold-affected health illnesses, or a provider of services to victims of mycotoxin exposure? Submit your information for listing consideration in our Agencies & Experts resource database.

Additional Resources

  • Contact Us
  • Sitemap
  • Glossary of Terms
  • Survivor Resources
  • General Inquiries
  • Legal Disclaimer

© Copyright - Mold-Help Organization
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Mold Basics
  • Resources and Tools
  • Agencies & Experts
  • Mold News
  • About Mold-Help
Scroll to top

This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies.

OKLearn more

Cookie and Privacy Settings



How we use cookies

We may request cookies to be set on your device. We use cookies to let us know when you visit our websites, how you interact with us, to enrich your user experience, and to customize your relationship with our website.

Click on the different category headings to find out more. You can also change some of your preferences. Note that blocking some types of cookies may impact your experience on our websites and the services we are able to offer.

Essential Website Cookies

These cookies are strictly necessary to provide you with services available through our website and to use some of its features.

Because these cookies are strictly necessary to deliver the website, refusing them will have impact how our site functions. You always can block or delete cookies by changing your browser settings and force blocking all cookies on this website. But this will always prompt you to accept/refuse cookies when revisiting our site.

We fully respect if you want to refuse cookies but to avoid asking you again and again kindly allow us to store a cookie for that. You are free to opt out any time or opt in for other cookies to get a better experience. If you refuse cookies we will remove all set cookies in our domain.

We provide you with a list of stored cookies on your computer in our domain so you can check what we stored. Due to security reasons we are not able to show or modify cookies from other domains. You can check these in your browser security settings.

Other external services

We also use different external services like Google Webfonts, Google Maps, and external Video providers. Since these providers may collect personal data like your IP address we allow you to block them here. Please be aware that this might heavily reduce the functionality and appearance of our site. Changes will take effect once you reload the page.

Google Webfont Settings:

Google Map Settings:

Google reCaptcha Settings:

Vimeo and Youtube video embeds:

Accept settingsHide notification only