Photos included in the collage above: Collage from Left to Right: The inserted picture under the flowering Redbud tree is one that was taken of Theda in her "lay-down" wheeler on her last birthday. Her Mum, Carol, is holding the cake made specially for her dietary requirements ; Theda in Red Shoes; The various colours of the heart shaped leaves of the Redbud tree, purple, green, yellow and red ; Monarch butterfly on the blossoms of a redbud tree.
*The meaning underlying the Redbud tree, and Red Shoes is explained below.
*The meaning underlying the Redbud tree, and Red Shoes is explained below.
Theda Myint
2nd January 1976- 25th July 2013
2nd January 1976- 25th July 2013
Another bright star joined in helping the evening sky
shine more brightly on 25th July 2013, the day vibrant 37 year
old Perth woman Theda Myint passed away.
Theda’s chronic illness journey began when she caught the flu whilst travelling in Europe in early 2000. It is believed that this infection overloaded her immune system and triggered the onset of Lyme, which had previously lain dormant in her body after multiple tick bites back home in Australia.
Initially, her symptoms were relatively mild, allowing her ambition and passion for life to drive her completion of degrees in art and music. Theda completed her broadcasting degree and won a Channel 7 award for a documentary she created. She was also offered a 10 week internship on the George Negus Tonight program. She was never able to take up this internship, or fulfil her desire to work as an investigative reporter as her health continued to deteriorate.
Theda battled a constant, debilitating headache for almost 9 years, which was further exacerbated by sensitivity to light and sound. She often wore sunglasses and headphones in an attempt to reduce her pain by minimising sensory input to her brain. She also suffered widespread pain, extreme exhaustion, cognitive dysfunction, and the list goes on. As a result, Theda spent many years bedbound. On her worst days, she simply attempted to sleep or to get through the day, with her loyal dogs Maggie and Toffee by her side. On slightly better days, she would listen to audio books or interact with the online chronically ill community. The days where she was actually able to spend time actively participating in conversations with her Mum, partner, family and friends were treasured immensely.
Theda’s determination to regain control of her life led her to seek medical help from many sources, both in Australia and overseas. She was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and then, in late 2011, Lyme disease.
Theda and her mother, Carol, raised the profile of Lyme in Australia, through media interviews including multiple segments on Today Tonight. Audiences were inspired by Theda’s conviction that she would recover; she certainly did her best to make that happen, by continuing to research treatment options - she even sought treatment at an overseas clinic. Unfortunately, by the time she received her Lyme diagnosis, significant damage had already occurred within her body and nothing seemed to bring her lasting relief.
In pictures that Theda submitted in March 2013 for participation in the Worldwide Lyme Protest video, Theda referred to her longing for the simple things that others take for granted, like the ability to take care of herself, to bear healthy children, to walk her dogs on the beach, to move in with her partner, and to use computers and TVs without experiencing physical distress. She also dreamed of being “the next Oprah Winfrey or JK Rowling”.
However, the constant excruciating pain was wearing Theda down; she was not only in agony, she was exhausted after years of relentless battling and dashed hopes of effective treatment. Eventually, on 25 July 2013, just one day after her last medical appointment, in which a neurologist advised her that she had tried all options available for pain management, Theda “euthanased” herself (in the words of her mother, Carol). She never lost her love of life; she simply became overwhelmed by the desire to escape her pain.
“When news of Theda’s passing broke, there was an outpouring of grief from chronic/invisible illness communities internationally, Today Tonight audiences and many other people who were perhaps hearing her story for the first time. Theda's last wish was for Lyme disease recognition in Australia; she may not have been able to achieve her dream of changing the world through journalism, but she hoped her story would increase public awareness of the urgent need for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of fellow patients. Her family, partner, and friends from around Australia and indeed around the world, will ensure her memory lives on forever and her wish becomes a reality.
Theda’s Journey above compiled and written by: Carol, Blake, Janice and Karen.
Theda’s chronic illness journey began when she caught the flu whilst travelling in Europe in early 2000. It is believed that this infection overloaded her immune system and triggered the onset of Lyme, which had previously lain dormant in her body after multiple tick bites back home in Australia.
Initially, her symptoms were relatively mild, allowing her ambition and passion for life to drive her completion of degrees in art and music. Theda completed her broadcasting degree and won a Channel 7 award for a documentary she created. She was also offered a 10 week internship on the George Negus Tonight program. She was never able to take up this internship, or fulfil her desire to work as an investigative reporter as her health continued to deteriorate.
Theda battled a constant, debilitating headache for almost 9 years, which was further exacerbated by sensitivity to light and sound. She often wore sunglasses and headphones in an attempt to reduce her pain by minimising sensory input to her brain. She also suffered widespread pain, extreme exhaustion, cognitive dysfunction, and the list goes on. As a result, Theda spent many years bedbound. On her worst days, she simply attempted to sleep or to get through the day, with her loyal dogs Maggie and Toffee by her side. On slightly better days, she would listen to audio books or interact with the online chronically ill community. The days where she was actually able to spend time actively participating in conversations with her Mum, partner, family and friends were treasured immensely.
Theda’s determination to regain control of her life led her to seek medical help from many sources, both in Australia and overseas. She was diagnosed with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, and then, in late 2011, Lyme disease.
Theda and her mother, Carol, raised the profile of Lyme in Australia, through media interviews including multiple segments on Today Tonight. Audiences were inspired by Theda’s conviction that she would recover; she certainly did her best to make that happen, by continuing to research treatment options - she even sought treatment at an overseas clinic. Unfortunately, by the time she received her Lyme diagnosis, significant damage had already occurred within her body and nothing seemed to bring her lasting relief.
In pictures that Theda submitted in March 2013 for participation in the Worldwide Lyme Protest video, Theda referred to her longing for the simple things that others take for granted, like the ability to take care of herself, to bear healthy children, to walk her dogs on the beach, to move in with her partner, and to use computers and TVs without experiencing physical distress. She also dreamed of being “the next Oprah Winfrey or JK Rowling”.
However, the constant excruciating pain was wearing Theda down; she was not only in agony, she was exhausted after years of relentless battling and dashed hopes of effective treatment. Eventually, on 25 July 2013, just one day after her last medical appointment, in which a neurologist advised her that she had tried all options available for pain management, Theda “euthanased” herself (in the words of her mother, Carol). She never lost her love of life; she simply became overwhelmed by the desire to escape her pain.
“When news of Theda’s passing broke, there was an outpouring of grief from chronic/invisible illness communities internationally, Today Tonight audiences and many other people who were perhaps hearing her story for the first time. Theda's last wish was for Lyme disease recognition in Australia; she may not have been able to achieve her dream of changing the world through journalism, but she hoped her story would increase public awareness of the urgent need for prompt diagnosis and effective treatment of fellow patients. Her family, partner, and friends from around Australia and indeed around the world, will ensure her memory lives on forever and her wish becomes a reality.
Theda’s Journey above compiled and written by: Carol, Blake, Janice and Karen.
More on Theda's Journey to follow: For the moment there is more on the Lyme Australia Recognition and Awareness site where information was originally collated.