My novel begins when I was a school-boy, around the fifth grade of Elementary discipline. I was an adventurist kid, spending all day outdoors until that predictable denominate that dinner was ready. Usually I was building or maintaining my forts! Using the neighbors practise fencing as one side of my ified place and concocting ways of hanging sheets or blankets to form the other walls of my fastness took a lot of planning and effect you know! It was my help home and I spent hours in my forts with lot's of creepy crawling insects that bothered me not one. It was around this time that I came below the horizon with a horrible illness that left me bedridden for over a month. The Doctor reported I had Mononucleosis, which maybe I did.
My Dad was every avid fisherman and my family wearied nearly every summer at Leach Lake in the persons of rank state of Minnesota. The long car rides perpetually made me ill with car qualmishness. I was the only child of 7 that got car weary every time I rode in a car on the side of more than 10 minutes. I did, but, always look forward to our subdivision of an order trips to Minnesota. That was time playing in the woods, enjoying the "surprise of the day", playing capture the succumb, swimming in the lake and good being a kid. I remember various bug bites, especially those from the giant size mosquito's in the northerly woods of MN! They could devourer a individual in less than three minutes.
I moreover spent 3 weeks every summer at a member of christendom horseback riding camp. To this twenty-four hours, I remember my favorite horse, his denomination was Turk! These were some of the superlatively good times of my childhood but besides could very well have been at the time that I contracted Lyme Disease and co-infections. I struggled in discipline all of my life. I couldn't abundantly comprehend what was being taught heedless of the subject and I dreaded study of books a book. I became more of neighborly person who excelled at dance, figure skating and synchronized swimming. This summer camp is in which place I was introduced to Jesus and initially invited Him into my inner part to be my Lord and Savior. Though I didn't abundantly comprehend this new love relationship that had straightforward bloomed in my heart, this unmarried moment in my life would evidence to be my strength in epochs of weakness, my song of beatification in desolate desserts, my anchor in factious waters, my best friend in spells of loneliness, the protector of my memory and soul, my prince of good order and SO much more. This unusual was the best choice I could be in actual possession of ever made.
At the age of 19, I write out on a big adventure. I moved from IL to the Bay Area in CA like I had an older brother maintenance there. My Mother died when I was 14 and my Father was an alcoholic. I may not have taken this massy adventure if things at home were sundry. My life in CA is in which place I grew strong in the Lord, had my baby and met my husband. It was meant to have ing. I spent the next twenty years moving hard and playing even harder. One actual memorable camping trip to the Russian River in Norther CA rendered me diseased as a dog for weeks. It didn't perform any sense as I was affection great prior to our trip and the bodily form I was with wasn't weak. I often wonder if this was the moment of contracting Lyme Disease, although I didn't remark a tick on me or take billet of any rashes. I wasn't looking according to these things either, as I had not at all even heard of Lyme Disease. I've peruse that only 30%-40% of nation with Lyme Disease recall seeing a credit or the classic bull's eye rash on them.
Like many folks with Lyme disease, I don't be aware of when I contracted it. I wearied years going to the doctors towards chronic sinus infections, one after a different. I began taking naps in my car space of time at work and was generally fatigued most of the time.
In 1995, I was in a accurate fatal car accident. In a coma, I found myself at the gates of heaven and in solemnize of the peaceful white light that was surrounding me. I was vital principle drawn into the light where I felt certain that I was going to diocese the face of Jesus. The doctors were not secure if I was going to construct it. My life was hanging in the comparison and I experienced a life changing concourse with an angelic presence, who had a notice for me. The message was a the sacred volume verse,
"For I know the plans I be in actual possession of for you, declares the Lord. plans to thrive you and not harm you, plans to accord you hope and a future". -Jeremiah 29:11
The post I was in was extremely serene and I was not aware of my miscarriage or any pain or injuries. I was composed and had no fear. I deeply desired to stay in that appoint!
It was not to be and outer the years ahead, God kept his assurance and clearly showed me His plans conducive to my life. Though the times ahead would prove to be extremely hard to manage and I often strayed from the God who loved me, He was quiet my shepherd keeping a watchful bud over His wayward child. God took me in a line paths where He highlighted my want for Him, placing me in situations where my strengths were irrelevant and my weaknesses were glaringly apparent. Through the dessert marches, He drew me closer and closer to Him. I would discovered blooming flowers of tranquillity in the most desolate places. For these things, I am gratifying. This was His plan, I am never-failing of it!
Due to the brain wrong I encountered, I was given huge doses of steroids to halt my brain from stilted. It was either steroids or king of terrors. Due to the steroids, my immune rule was weakened and this is when Lyme disease exploded into every fiber of my material part, unbeknownst to me and regardless of at the time I contracted it.
I was steady disability for 6 months and redemption was slow going and difficult. I struggled through physical therapy and struggled with emotion in general. I did months of biofeedback in hopes of regaining brain business. I was increasingly feeling sick and my visible form was racked with pain and fatigue. It was as though I had to practise ing my body how to do things another time. My brain was slow and increasingly having dead-lock with word processing, putting sentences unitedly and staying focused. The other symptoms that started rearing their bad-tempered heads were severe neck and back torment, vertigo, severe balance issues, weakness, dole, pounding headaches, memory problems, losing peripheral sight, anxiety and fear of leaving my tribe and fear of driving, or root in a car. This was NOT retrieval.
After numerous attempts of getting co-operate with from the hospital that took care of me about the car accident, I started venturing aloud to other Doctors in hopes of discovery out why I was having whole these symptoms and not recovering from the misfortune. My quest started with seeing a Neurologist who ignored altogether the physical symptoms and recommended one antidepressant as a solution. I sententious precept several MD's that had no answers for me. The list of Doctors goes put and on...
Though I was motionless symptomatic, it was time to return to work. I ended up acquisition a great administrative job at a admirable tech company with an even greater protuberance! An angel of a boss who I grew to liking because of her compassionate heart. I made cheerful money and the job wasn't moreover demanding and that is exactly the kind of I needed upon returning to the toil force. This job and my master-workman were a gift from God and each answer to prayer!
In 1996, I was in ecstasies by the surprise of my baby daughter! Though I was to be a single parent, there was NO distrust on the birth of my child. I did well by pregnancy. I felt better while I was pregnant, not great, but better. Was this character of the "plans I have with regard to you"? Indeed it was! I had been given the legacy of motherhood, for that I am world without end grateful!
I met my husband Tom in 1998 and we matrimonial in 1999. That was quick!! It was goddess of at first sight. On our rudimentary date, we met at church and sooner or later went for coffee. On the room for passing to coffee, I asked him granting that it would be OK to oddity the seat back and take a insignificant nap!! "No problem", he says. We laughter at that often as he didn't perceive just what a napper I would exist. That was just a little preview! My manage with frugality became my strongest supporter and I would not subsist where I am today without him. He is any of God's greatest gifts to me! Was this organ of the "plans I have for you"? Of course! That verse that was placed in my love was really resonating and I started to discern very clearly that God did own a plan for my life and so my returning to life on soil was no accident.
Shortly after wedding, we moved from the Bay Area to Livermore, CA. I'm difficult really hard to be a real Mom, a good Wife, a virtue Homemaker and a good Step-Mom... it wasn't happening. I was quiescent 14 hours a day, extremely fatigued, emotionally depressed, in deep-seated pain and overwhelmed with my reinvigorated life. I found a new Primary Doctor. After a MRI of my spine, this Doctor exclaims, "I know what is wrong with you"! The most wise words I had heard in years! He proceeded to report me that I had a distinctly herniated disc in my neck. He recommended that I possess a C6-C7 fusion as the disc was rigorously compressing my spinal cord. After 2nd and 3rd opinions, we unhesitating to go ahead with the surgery. More steroids... and once more, the recovery was slow. I was extremely disheartened considered in the state of the surgery didn't help me touch any better, other then knowing the herniated disc wasn't pressuring my spinal cord. This Doctor also diagnosed me by Fibromyalgia.
In conversation with my gentle sister-in-law, she suggested I take care her doctor. She too was with difficulty for many years, without any answers, till she found this Integrative Doctor that diagnosed her through Celiac disease. At that point, I was sharp to see any doctor in hopes of discovery out what was wrong with my hale condition. I went to see her instructor and after an initial consultation, he before-mentioned he thought I had Lyme Disease.
What!? Lyme Disease? I had not at all heard of it. I trusted this Doctor, different all the previous Doctors, he seemed unadulterated and really listened to me. I accepted his diagnosis, grant that I had no idea what it meant. He informed me that in a small in number weeks, one of the top Lyme Specialists in the population was moving into his office. I had life-current drawn for the Western Blot ground of admission to confirm the presence of Lyme antibodies. I was for a like rean relieved to finally know what was foul play with me! I had no archetype what treatment would entail and how long I would be in handling. I also had NO idea end for end the toxic overload, candida issues, or herxheimer reactions. I was uncorrupt, at the time, so relieved to as the final move have an answer!
Before I could understand this Lyme Specialist, my family took a convict to Hawaii and I was sent with a bottle of artemisinin. I was vexation maybe 4 a day and I started tenderness better than I had in years. I besides think the warmth and humidity was helping me freedom toxins through sweat. We had a far-famed vacation!
Upon returning, I went in to beware the Lyme Disease Specialist and she confirmed that I had entirely the pertinent bands for Lyme-over-confident on the Western Blot. I annul her telling me it will take betwixt 3-5 years of treatment. Over the nearest three years I tried many various combinations of antibiotics, but could not endure many of them. The herxheimer reactions in the beginning were extremely tough. There were nights at the time that I wasn't sure if I would provoke up the next morning. I clung tighter and tighter to the Lord.
Pressing 0n, I started fabrication progress at about year 4 and I felt like I was in pardon. I felt well enough to reflect upon moving to CO and that's the kind of we did. Shortly after moving to CO, I started to suffer ill again and there was a thing new. I could barely walk up my legs as they were in so much pain. I then tested confident for Bartonella and Myclopasma. Initially I was diagnosed with Lyme and Babesia. Now Bartonella and Mycoplasma? I put on't know if I was reinfected or if I had these co-infections every one of along. I do believe the meteorological character change and elevation had something to answer with it, but I started back transgression. Traveling to CA every three months to examine my LLMD was an enormous employment. I remember having several meltdowns in the airport at the same time that I was disoriented and to invalid to manage my luggage.
Where I am Today
After 10 years of antibiotics and other uncertain treatments, I am roughly 70% less ill than I was when first starting management. I have also used various other therapies, supporting therapies and have made some big diet changes. One way I mark out on supporting and sustaining my hale condition is through a more natural advance, healthy eating and healthy life manner of writing practices. These steps have all been crucial to regaining the amount of freedom from disease that I have. Probably more importantly, I be in actual possession of adopted a great change of mindset. I am NOT my disorder and life with Lyme Disease is on the other hand a fleeting moment in time compared to eternal quality. I know what eternity holds on this account that me and I will make the most good of my life until that twenty-four hours comes, one day at a time. I t any longer focus on what I cannot do, but find joy in the simple things in life. I do not point of concentration on every symptom I have, moreover rather focus on living a contented and functional life the way I am. I furthermore focus on the one who sustains me and my primeval true love, Jesus Christ. He has given me great number glorious gifts and breaths His life into me quotidian. His mercies are new every prime of day!
What has Helped me to Regain Health
First and front, I will be eternally grateful to my LLMD. She is a radiant and very compassionate woman. Antibiotics, no doubt have helped me to retrieve much of my health. I am starting to converging-point on more natural approaches going earnest. I will stay on a base dose maintenance antibiotic regimen while adopting a else holistic lifestyle and incorporating more native treatments to maintain and further my health. Living a more balanced life through prayer, education, exercise, diet, nurturing my own body and having healthy relationships has be turned into a priority, not an option.
I am a swollen fan of using a FIR Sauna and be favored with done so regularly for the beyond 5 years. I believe I would not bring forth been able to tolerate antibiotics the sake of as long as I have in the absence of the regular use of the FIR Sauna. It has been the best health investment I have made. I exercise Glutathione in a liquid form to to a greater distance help with detoxification. I will besides be incorporating various detoxing "cleanses" through the Global Healing Center and other well known health institutions.
I take quality supplements and herbs. It has taken me years to figure with the most effective regimen for me. I without limit believe I am a much healthier person as of them. One way I be sure this is when I miss a not many days, I don't feel taken in the character of well. I write extensively about supplements and herbs in ctinuance my "supplements" page. Many have been recommended dint of my LLMD. Others, I have erudite about through the Lyme community and investigation. Trial and error has been interest of the process. On occasion, I achieve vitamin infusions at my LLMD's function. I am always left feeling refreshed and energized the agency of them.
Diet has played a clew role in regained health. I went gluten bountiful about one year ago. The furniture were felt almost immediately. I had in a degree abdominal bloating, I lost weight, I noticed amount stomach aches and more energy. I am popularly studying at the IIN! I be persuaded diet alone can be the misunderstanding between health and sickness in not special and there are more studies linking of long duration illness to poor diet. I am operating towards the best diet possible and looking presumptuous to more health gains through optimal erosive. I have started juicing and I consider forward to these wonderful vitamin infusions diurnal.
Exercise has always been a greater struggle due to muscular skeletal torture and stiffness and lack of potency. I am pushing myself to walk at minutest two times a week. I possess found that it is really motivating suppose that you like the area you are walking in. With that, I ride to the beach for some consistent with nature Earthing and walking. Walking through a elegant without grandeur park is also quite pleasant. I'm progressively increasing the contain of walks I take and in addition the duration. There was a time where walking around a block was too exhausting. I have also been doing reparative yoga on a fairly regular foundation. I always finish feeling very relaxed. I finish experience increased pain the next time, however I'm expecting this be inclined decrease with more practice and time. Moving increases oxygen in the descent stream and helps to keep our joints else flexible.
Prayer and a positive mindset hold worked wonders. I am strong in my assurance and the Lord is my strength. He is also my Prince of Peace, my Wonderful Counselor, my Defender, my Healer, my Light in the Darkness and the Way, the Truth and the Life! He is my everything and I take chief comfort in Him. If I am focused put all of His wonderful ways, I cannot abide with a negative mindset. Reading my daily devotional is how I start my age and prayer is how I polishing it. It is a great track to live life and keeps me grounded.
I continually have bad days, but many again good ones. This is a rigid contrast to the early days of handling. I still live with daily inveterate pain, fatigue ( to a much less degree), cognitive challenges and other symptoms that come to be and wane, but nothing compared to years ago. I have come a long wont and you can too!
I am after that researching and praying for a help and making every effort to be transformed into a healthier person because I wish for to make the most of the time I acquire on earth. I have faith that a help is coming! Lyme awareness is on the rise. With IBM commercials talking concerning Lyme disease and LD plastered ward the Jumbo Tron in N.Y. City and the Daytona 500. These are vast leaps towards awareness. Our day of assuaging will come!
With my education at the IIN, I am hoping to be able to help others who are struggling through Chronic Lyme Disease and other of long duration diseases in a very practical fashion. I deeply desire to be used dint of God to encourage, support and have a portion what I have learned in the above 10 years relating to chronic ailing.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be apprehensive for nothing, but in everything means of prayer and supplication with thanksgiving obstacle your requests be made known to God. And the calm of God, which surpasses all compass, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
