By Miranda Gastiaburo

Most people consider their homes to be a safe haven. A place where they can relax and feel comfortable. A place they look forward to going to. But what happens when your home becomes your enemy? When simply walking through the door causes you great pain and discomfort. Iris Harden Brooks knows first hand what it is like to live in a Harmful Home.

Iris Harden Brooks is one of a kind a will to educate others, the grace and love of God and triumph through tribulation abound in her. She has faced chronic pain and health issues that would make most give up, but Iris continues on, but for the grace of God and my strong will to tell others my story in hopes of helping them, she says.

When Iris came to Walton Pain Center in 2003, she began a chronic pain regimen under the care of Dr. Hemant Yagnick. I didnt know why I had the pain, but I had to seek treatment to keep going. Dr. Yagnick found that spinal disc disease and pinched nerves were the root of the problem and helped Iris with the proper medication and medical procedures to reduce and manage her pain. Through his help, Iris discovered the will to press on. He was always so encouraging and compassionate, she said. Dr. Yagnick is a very positive person sharing a genuine concern for his patients. The treatments really helped me along with the encouragement received to follow my dreams, and go on despite the pain. He really listened and understood me. I definitely advise others to seek treatment at Walton if dealing with serious pain issues. But for Iris, the painful journey did not end here, it was just beginning. Later that year, in June of 2003, Iris and her caretaker, and soon to be husband, TLee Brooks, moved into a home together. I was already being treated for my chronic pain, so I really just didnt
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think much of it when I started getting worse, Iris said. But when her symptoms took a frightening turn, she again sought treatment at Walton and was sent to many specialists in an attempt to see what was going on. I developed more pain and a myriad of strange symptoms. I certainly never even considered my home environment being responsible. But when I just kept getting worse, I knew something bizarre was causing the problems. Eventually, Iris started having trouble breathing any time she entered her home; she developed blistering of her eyes and nose, burned facial tissue and a painful burning sensation in her lungs. We continued to live in the home for 18 months, but in March of 2005, we were forced out by my symptoms, Iris said. If I went in, I turned stark white, my eyes would blister

The Brooks finally moved from the poisoned home, into a double-wide which was very nice, says Iris. But we took our possessions with us. That was a huge mistake. Everything we owned had been cross-contaminated with the toxins, T2 toxins, from the mold in that home. So I continued to develop symptoms and simply could not get away from the problem. The Brooks started sleeping in motels or their van just to get away from the contaminants. I did a lot more research and a lot of praying and found out exactly what was causing the trouble, Iris said. T2 toxins, one of the deadliest poisons known to mankindeven used in warfarehad been created by the molds in my first home. So six months after their move, they got permission to have that first home tested. What they found was frightening! Highly toxic,

Dr. Yagnick at Walton and the other specialists truly saved my life. They made it possible for me to keep going. I have a story to tell, and I will help others as long as possible.
and I simply could not get any air. So I stayed outside on the steps. During those last couple of months, we had nowhere to go. I simply could not enter my home. So we started doing all dayto-day businesss in our van. Some nights, Id go to the local Huddle House where it was warm and sit all night drinking coffee and reading my Bible. When the pain would overcome me, not wanting to create a scene, I would go in the restroom stall and curl up and sleep as I could, then go home and sit on my steps, making calls trying to find a new home to live in, Iris recalls. There was nothing left to do except move. During the time in the old home, when Iriss pain became devastating, the Brooks discovered a water leak in the ceiling. Their landlord, however, did not properly repair the leak in a timely manner, and problems persisted. Searching the Internet, after exhausting all municipal sources, they researched insulation, asbestos and the like, for a possible cause. even lethal levels of T2 toxins caused by a variety of over a dozen molds were found in the home. I sought a medical diagnosis from a specialist in California at that point. Dr. Aristo Vojdani ran bloodwork and the antibody tests revealed that Iris was highly exposed to many different molds and mycotoxins. He also ran a rare test called PCR, which checked her sputum and blood for mold DNA. He detected two types of aspergillus and stachybotrys molds were growing in Iriss lungs and had actually diffused into her white blood cells. This is a life-threatening systemic infection, a diagnosis most people do not survive, she said. Iris was diagnosed with invasive aspergillosis and stachybotrytoxicosis, both fungal infections and trichothecene (mycotoxin toxicity) poisoning. This also caused a dibilating illness called MCS, Multiple Chemical Sensitivity, which makes it difficult, if not impossible to cope with everyday chemicals used for everyday purposes. These tests were supposed to be $800, and we
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Symptoms and Signs of Mold P

Mold poisoning is more common than one may think. It can occur in any building, including your own home. If you suspect you may have been exposed to molds, or see signs of mold in your home or office, seek treatment and repairs. Molds may adversely affect human health through three processes: 1) allergy; 2) infection; and 3) toxicity. Exposure to mold is not healthy for anyone. However, infants, children, the elderly, and those with immunie disorders can be particularly at risk. Airborne toxic mold spores can affect the immune system, nervous system, liver, kidneys, blood and cause brain damage. Exposure to indoor molds can accelerate aggravated conditions for some. Some molds are more hazardous than others. Two of the most toxic are aspergillus and stachyboctris. This group of molds can thrive on water damaged, cellulose-rich material in buildings such as sheet rock, paper, ceiling tiles, insulation backing, wallpaper, etc. In the majority of cases where Stachybotrys is found indoors, water damage has gone unnoticed or ignored since it requires extended periods of time with increased levels of moisture for growth to occur. Stachybotrys is usually black and slimy in appearance. Events of water intrusion that are addressed quickly tends to support the growth of more xerophilic fungi such as Penicillium and Aspergillus. Aspergillosis is now the 2nd most common fungal infection requiring hospitalization in the United States. Exposure to aspergillus can often cause skin rashes and hair loss. Stachybotrys is another fungi that has the ability to produce mycotoxins, ones that are extremely toxic, suspected carcinogens, and immunosuppressive. Exposure to these mycotoxins can result through inhalation, ingestion, and dermal (skin) exposure. Long term exposure has shown that Stachybotrys and Chaetomium can destroy the myelin sheath, leading to autoimmune disease. These are the only two fungi that can also be linked
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MCS (Multiple Chemical Sensitivity). The mycotoxins produced by toxic mold create environmentally toxic air that affects the bodys myelin, depleting this important substance that covers the nerves. The nerves are thus exposed without protection and fail to function correctly. This affects essential components of the body, including: the immune system, the nervous system, the respiratory system, the skin, and the gastrointestinal system. When toxic mold causes neurological problems, it can be devasting when children are involved, since their brains and other organs are not fully developed. Signs of Mold Moisture on the surfaces: Moisture or damp ness on surfaces (of wall, wood, clothes etc.) can be treated as very first sign of mold growth (although moisture does not mean mold forma tion and growth, it is a very important condition for mold formation). Stains on the wall: Yellowish stains on the wall caused due to moisture helps initial growth of mold. Look out for the greenish, blackish or brownish colored patches on the damp wall that characterizes mold growth. Odor: Mildew or musty odors is one of the most prominent sign of mold growth. If you experi ence a musty odor near damp/humid surfaces, you should look out for the other signs of mold growth. Respiratory system response in the people: If you or anyone staying in the house is hyper sensitive to change in surrounding environmen tal conditions and experience some kind of allergic reaction or respiratory system related problems when you/the person is inside the house, then in that case there is a possibility of high mold growth. Poisoning due to mold: Poisoning due to the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) formed by mold is one of the most prominent sign of potential mold growth.

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Poisoning
Symptoms of Mold Exposure or Mold Poisoning Uneasiness in respiration Headaches Cough Red eyes Development of rashes and hives on skin Nausea Memory loss In some cases, people experience bleeding in lungs Lethargy Dizziness Lack in concentration Problem caused due to irritation in mucous membranes Asthma Allergic reactions (such as itching of nose, runny nose etc.) of respiratory and/or nervous system etc Irregularity in blood pressure Damaged digestion and respiratory system Infections of urinary track, problems in urination etc. Pain in liver and other internal organs High level or prolonged exposure to mold can lead to infertility in the patient anxiety personality disorders nosebleeds shortness of breath abdominal pain hair loss skin rashes fatigue numbness in extremities pain in the extremities sore throat rectal bleeding tremors fibromyalgia Other symptoms of toxic mold include: destruction of brain tissue, open skin sores, fungal infections, lung diseases such as Aspergilliosis), and chronic sinus problems. References: http://www.associatedcontent.com/ user/189305/iris_harden_brooks.html http://www.mold-survivor.com/symptoms.html

told Dr. Vojdani we didnt have that. He said, Send what you can, says Iris. We sent a money order for $200, and a certified check for $200, with the samples. Gods Creature that he is, he returned both, in a Christmas card, the same month. The cases were medically documented. Iris husband, Tlee, received the exact same medical diagnosis some four months later. Iris also contacted longtime medical pathologist William Croft in Wisconsin. He was even retained by the US Army to study the adverse health effects of molds and the poisons they produce. A non-invasive deep tissue-skin biopsy confirmed my trichothecene poisoning level was late stage two/early stage three. And it was just my will to live and through Gods Grace that Im here today. I know I am supposed to help others learn about this deadly mold illness and environmental issue. Dr. Vojdani referred Iris to an environmental MD in Asheville, North Carolina who specialized in such illnesses. Arrangements were made for Iris to see Dr. John Wilson. My treatment was costly, and I paid what I could at the beginning. After that, Dr. Wilson told me, You just get here. Another angel in a cowboy hat says Iris. Dr. Yagnick graciously helped me get on a Compassionate Care program at Walton Pain Center. He went out of his way to work with me during a most tragic time in my life. There was no way we could have made it without these doctors generosity, kindness and integrity. During the time without a home, Iris found places to stay to survive. Blessed to stay with friends temporarily, our pastor let us sleep on air mattresses on the floor of a Sunday School room for two months, and we spent many nights in our van. God delivered us through some unimaginable situations. Iris and TLee both continue to suffer from chronic pain exacerbated by mold poisoning, but are making their way in the world. We have a nice little apartment. Not many possessions now, as we lost everything to the mold. Cherished photographs and our music studio is what we
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miss the most. I even dedicated one of our musical albums released before our diagnosis to Dr. Yagnick at Walton Pain Center, and will probably do more, if and when I am able. But were doing so much better in many ways and keep hope in our hearts. My goal now is to help others get through this kind of ordeal, says Iris. I feel thats why I survived it. Iris developed two websites dedicated to toxic mold and the medical conditions it brings with it. www.myspace.com/faceoftoxicmold and www. survivingyellowrain.blogspot.com I keep these updated. I even have my phone number on there for people to contact me for info and support. I dont want anyone else to go through this, so I try to be a lifeline to other victims. There is an estimated 500,000 people per year who die from this. Since her campaign to help others understand and seek treatment for toxic mold, Iris has met people from all over the country. She and four other ladies whose lives were touched by the condition have written a proclamation on toxic mold. We had to write a synopsis of why we need such a proclamation in our state and a fact sheet about molds and toxins with references to submit to Governor Perdue. And they succeeded. Governor Perdue approved our proclamation and will declare the month of September Indoor Toxic Mold Awareness Month for the state of Georgia, Iris said. We are so proud of this accomplishment. It will truly heighten awareness and education of this terrible condition, said Iris. And we hope to get legislation set for this type of illness setting standards for indoor air quality and medical treatments. Iris hopes one day to set up a foundation to help not only educate about toxic molds but to fund medical treatment for those who cannot pay. The scriptures say Due to lack of knowledge, my people will perish, and I dont want anyone to be left out there with a lack of knowledge on this, Iris declared. Dr. Yagnick at Walton and the other specialists truly saved my life. They made it possible for me to keep going. I have a story to tell, and I will help others as long as possible.

Dr. Yagnick has been treating Iris Brooks for four years. Encouragment is as much a part of his treatment as are pain medications and medical procedures. When she came to me, she had some pain in her back and other areas like the neck, and with a history of mold infestation. Iris is a very pleasant but rather unfortunate lady, said Dr. Yagnick. What I felt was my responsibility was to listen to her and help her get on her feet, he said. Dr. Yagnick treated the pain with both pain medications and epidural steroid injections to help her spine. My job overall as a pain physician is to support her, hope for the best, encourage her to keep seeking treatment and reaching goals and achieving her dreams. A combination of pain medications are being used to help Iris to be the best she can be, and since the epidural steroids, she has not needed a great deal of treatment. I write her prescriptions and monitor how she is doing. She pretty much took care of the infection part of her treatment. It seems like I havent done anything with Iris that I wouldnt do for anyone else. We just gave her the support she was looking for. It is our goal for all patients to be like Iris. She is very grateful and has as normal a life as possible, said Yagnick. I aspire for all patients to go on and I encourage them to keep looking for their dreams.

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