<p>Lyme disease shouldn’t be a guessing game. </p><p><br></p><p>In this episode, Nicole Bell—MIT/Duke engineer, author of What Lurks in the Woods, and CEO of Galaxy Diagnostics—shares how her husband’s undiagnosed Lyme and co-infections (Bartonella, Babesia) led to a tragic outcome… and why that drove her mission to change the standard of care for tick-borne illness. </p><p><br></p><p>We break down:</p><p>-Why antibody tests miss stealth infections </p><p>-How direct detection (PCR, digital PCR) + sample enrichment improve sensitivity</p><p>-Smart strategies to test co-infections (e.g., urine antigen for Borrelia, blood enrichment for Bartonella)</p><p>-Practical tips (timing, pre-test movement/sauna, re-testing windows)</p><p>-Advocacy: finding clinicians, navigating “normal” labs, and pushing for answers</p><p><br></p><p>Resources mentioned:</p><p>Galaxy Diagnostics: galexydx.com (education center + testing info)Center for Lyme Action “State of Lyme Disease Research”</p><p>Pathways for non-licensed practitioners (via Mosaic Diagnostics, Evexia, Rupa) – coming online soon</p><p>If you or a loved one is stuck with “inconclusive” results, this conversation offers a roadmap—grounded in science and born from lived experience.</p><p><br></p><p>👍 Like, subscribe, and share to help someone who needs this. 💬 Drop your questions in the comments—we’ll compile for a follow-up Q&amp;A.</p><p><br></p><p>Chapters</p><p> 00:00 Intro &amp; Nicole’s story</p><p>03:12 How Lyme was missed—and what it cost</p><p>08:20 Antibody tests vs direct detection (PCR, dPCR)</p><p>13:55 Sample enrichment: why it matters for stealth pathogens</p><p>18:30 Co-infections 101: Bartonella, Babesia, more</p><p>24:10 Practical testing tips (timing, prep, re-testing windows)</p><p>28:45 Why “normal labs” ≠ no infection</p><p>33:20 Access &amp; upcoming practitioner pathways (Mosaic, Evexia, Rupa)</p><p>37:40 Advocacy for patients &amp; caregivers</p><p>41:55 Resources + final takeaways</p>