Nicole Bell’s family faced a devastating reality when her husband, Russ, was diagnosed with late-stage Alzheimer’s along with Lyme, Babesia, and Bartonella. Nicole shares her path from caregiver to author and advocate. She discusses the painful moment of telling her children “Daddy is sick,” the lessons she’s learned about asking for help, and why she wrote What Lurks in the Woods.

Nicole also offers critical insights into the evolving science of tick-borne disease testing through her work with Galaxy Diagnostics- exploring advanced PCR, strategic plans for insurance coverage, and new multi-pathogen tests coming to market.

Whether you’re a caregiver, patient, or advocate, Nicole’s story is both heartbreaking and hopeful, offering practical advice and a vision for improved standards of care.

The caregiver experience: Nicole’s advice to caregivers (8:05, 11:54, 14:50, 21:30), the emotional toll of telling her son “Daddy is sick” (17:00), and writing What Lurks in the Woods after Russ entered resident care (19:50). Why Lyme antibody testing is only ~50% accurate, how Galaxy Diagnostics uses advanced PCR to improve reliability (26:00–31:00), and what’s next in testing for Borrelia, Babesia, and Bartonella (38:00). Galaxy’s strategic plan: Supporting insurance reimbursement, raising standards of care, and helping physicians adopt new approaches (33:00+). Protecting kids and families from tick-borne diseases (46:40), Bartonella’s flea transmission risks (49:30), and current areas of research such as PANS/PANDAS (43:55).