Episode 14 - The Years No One Believed Me: Our P.A.N.D.A.S. Story

In this deeply personal solo episode, Fran opens up about one of the hardest chapters of her life: her son’s journey with P.A.N.D.A.S.

What started as subtle changes turned into years of confusion, fear, and frustration—made even harder by the fact that almost no one believed anything was wrong. Except for one extraordinary school counselor who saw what others didn’t.

Fran shares the emotional toll of advocating for a child when the world insists everything is “fine,” the heartbreak of watching him struggle, and the long road toward answers. And then, the part every parent needs to hear: he’s now a thriving freshman in college.

This episode is raw, honest, and ultimately hopeful. If you’re in the thick of it—fighting for your kid, feeling dismissed, or carrying the weight of worry—you’re not alone. There is a path forward. There are people who will listen. And sometimes, telling your story lifts a weight you didn’t realize you were still carrying.

Resources & Hope:

If you’re listening to this episode because you’re in the thick of something similar—confusion, fear, dismissal, or that gut‑level certainty that something is wrong with your child—you’re not alone. P.A.N.D.A.S. can be incredibly hard to navigate, especially when symptoms come on suddenly and don’t fit neatly into what people expect. Here are a few credible, general‑information resources that can help you learn more and feel less alone:

General Information About P.A.N.D.A.S.

• Cleveland Clinic - P.A.N.D.A.S. Overview.
• A clear, accessible explanation of what P.A.N.D.A.S. is, the types of symptoms that may appear, and how providers approach diagnosis and treatment.
  (This is the source Fran used for definitions and symptom descriptions.)
• National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) – PANS & PANDAS Q&A
  Offers general information about sudden-onset symptoms, what researchers know, and how families can seek support.

Support & Community

• PANDAS Physicians Network (PPN)
  Provides general educational resources and helps families understand what coordinated care can look like.
• PANDAS Network
  Shares family stories and general guidance for navigating conversations with healthcare providers.

💛 A Note of Hope If you’re in the middle of this journey, please hear this: things can get better.
Symptoms can change. Kids can stabilize. Families can find the right support. And sometimes, the person who finally sees your child clearly is that one counselor, teacher, or provider who listens when no one else does. My son went from years of struggle to thriving as a freshman in college. That doesn’t erase what we went through, but it proves something I want every parent to hold onto: You are not imagining things. You are not overreacting. You are not alone. And there is a path forward.