I thought a long time about what Lyme disease means to me in order to participate in Global Lyme Alliance #lymeisreal campaign. So many words came to mind… like pain; devastating; and overwhelming. While these words are certainly true, I finally settled on the one word, at least for me, that explains it all. Loss. Through the last ten years, I have experienced a lot of loss. Loss of health; loss of the life I’d planned; loss of dreams; loss of doing normal, daily tasks; loss of friendships; loss of understanding about invisible illness… even from family members. Loss of control, as my body rapidly deteriorated. Loss when doctors gave me terrifyingly (wrong) diagnoses. Loss of self worth. Loss of hair and skin clarity with breakouts/rashes. Loss of sanity, as I just tried to survive minute by minute. Loss of being the wife I wanted to be for my husband. Loss of career, as I am unable to work. Loss of finances as medical tests; medications; and supplements drain our income. Loss of an easy road to recovery or healing as I listened to my diagnosis of Borrelia; Mycoplasma Pneumoniae; Babesia; Bartonella hensela; and Bartonella quintana. Loss of hope as the bacteria continued to invade every nerve; bone; fluid; organ and brain cell. Almost Loss of life from the times I was near death. Loss of my memory, speech and the ability to think. Loss of the ability to get to the bathroom by myself because I could no longer walk. Loss of control and calm as uncontrollable spasms and shakes took over my body. Loss of stability and function as fevers, vertigo and nausea would cripple me. Loss of freedom and relief, as every day I was plagued by debilitating fatigue; headaches; migraines; nerve; joint and muscle pains; chest pain; dizziness; paresthesias; severe abdominal and pelvic pains; hormonal disruption; and cardiac dysrhythmia. Loss of even “looking” sick, as it is so often a hidden illness. Loss of others understanding of what I was going through continually and chronically. Loss of more tears than I could count. Loss of time as the years went by with no change.
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I’m grateful that through all the loss, I’ve never lost my Jesus. He is always with me…in the pain and trials. Sustaining me and holding me.
By His grace, I am now working with a physician who has given me hope; and I am confident that I will be well again! Without awareness and donations, Lyme will continue to be misunderstood and will keep destroying lives. That’s why I’m participating in the challenge today.I want to be part of the movement that demands change. It is possible and there is so much hope!











