A Rough Week....

It's been a rough week. My strength and faith have really been tested. It's times like these that I dread, even though I usually come out of it somewhat stronger. Still, the tough days are never easy.

It started the night my husband left for an out-of-town 5 day business trip. My daughter took me to the ER, I wasn't quite sure what was wrong, ended up being a small seizure. I'm thinking and hoping it was because of a sudden substantial increase in Bartonella meds (those herbs can be tough!). I only got 3 hours of sleep in a 36 hour period.

Then, burning in my chest and a significant pain in my right side, liver or gallbladder maybe? Ulcers not healing? More procedures, ultrasound & upper endoscopy. Both were perfect, and I was thrilled to hear my ulcers are healing very well. So, chalk the pains up to "who knows" because when you're dealing with lyme and co-infections, anything goes, really.

Add real life stressors on top of it, and it's sometimes just too much to handle. One of my dearest friends, who is battling lyme as well, was, well is, also going through a rough patch with lyme illness this week, and in many ways we've held each other together. Sometimes, that's the best medicine.

My hydrogen peroxide IV couldn't be done because my veins are exhausted, so we'll try again in a couple days....

All over body pain, my scare at the ER, several tubes of blood, IV's, out patient procedures, lack of sleep and life stress really took a toll this time and I fell pretty hard and my thoughts were not good. The support of my great friends and family, and mostly my faith in God has once again pulled me through.

I don't know where I am in this illness, I don't know how close to remission, I don't think that is a question anyone has an answer to, really. I found another doctor close to home who is also helping me and I think this will make a big difference. Praying so, anyway....

I am able to go to the gym again, no fatigue, tolerable pain, and I've got a good appetite. So once again Janet, forge ahead, press on, keep swimming. As I lie here in the early morning hours writing this on my smartphone, I feel a little stronger of a person than I was last week. I'm convinced that everyone that goes through lyme disease and comes out in victory at the end, are truly Super Heroes. Really! I can see my cape somewhere in the future...

A huge thank you this week to Brittany, Jeannie, Jenny, and always to my Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ....I love you all <3

Things that are crucial to healing.....

I believe, that with any chronic illness, there are things that we need to do that are absolutely imperative to healing. Many times when we get a diagnosis such as Lyme disease, we take our medication and supplements as per our doctor's orders and hope for the best. After all that is what we pay our doctors for, right? To treat us and guide us so that we may heal and get on with our lives, enjoying the things we once loved doing.

If we do only that, we are selling ourselves short and may be prolonging our illness, and compromising our quality of life. I believe that at least 50 percent of our healing begins at home with our lifestyle. My belief in this is so strong that I will dare to say that this is more of a fact and not an opinion. Three things that are extremely important are diet, exercise and overall frame of mind.

 Think of it this way: people that do not have illnesses function better entirely when they eat healthy, exercise and have a positive attitude. Add a chronic illness to your life and these things do not become a choice but actually a necessity. With Lyme disease your immune system is not only trying hard to fight the illness, but is also compromised and suppressed because of the often intensive and long term treatment. We need to help our body recover and fight the illness. If we choose not to eat a Lyme friendly, healthy diet, exercise or have an unhealthy attitude, we are doing our bodies an injustice.

These three things take a lot of willpower! I consider myself proof that it can be done. Keep in mind that I am not at the point of remission yet; however I believe that because of the things I do at home my fight is much easier than it could be. There are some people who cannot stick to the diet or feel that since they are sick they should be able to enjoy the food that they love. I do not pass judgement on anyone with this illness as I understand everybody has their own way of dealing with things. This is just the path that has helped me....

 I will write more in depth about the "Lyme diet" in days to come, for now I feel the desire to point out the basics, and give those of you who read this something to think about.

 As far as exercise goes, many people with Lyme disease cannot get out of the house much less get out of bed , but there are different ways and different levels of exercise. For instance, if you cannot get out of bed maybe you can find a program or routine that works for you, such as simple arm and leg movements and light stretching. If you cannot use weights then stretching and/or yoga works great and is very beneficial to the body. If you are able to get to the gym or do light weights at home, by all means do so. This is what I do and in the beginning it was very hard, I did not think I could do it. However, I soon realized not only that I could do it but it helps with my pain, my energy level and my state of mind.

Cardio exercise, according to my LLMD,  should be nothing more than a walk on the treadmill or a walk outdoors until you get the green light to up the intensity. Of course I am not a doctor and I do not (yet) specialize in personal fitness, so please remember with any form of exercise consult with your doctor first!

 I believe that frame of mind is SO very crucial.We just don't feel well when we are not having positive thoughts. When we try our best to have a positive attitude and a good outlook our brain responds by sending chemicals that make our bodies respond in a positive way. And let's face it - nothing good comes from worrying, nothing good comes from being scared or thinking in a negative way, right? As the saying goes, "whether you think you can or whether you think you can't you are correct."

I understand that we are all human and we are not always going to have positive thoughts and days, but if we can trust in ourselves to at least try, our journey through illness and life in general will be much easier for us. Also, on those days where you cannot find the hope or the positive thoughts, lean on those who love you that keep the hope strong for you! I really feel that everybody has the power inside of them to be the best that they can be if they just look within themselves and find their inner strength.

 The choice is up to you - only you can decide what your life, and your healing, is worth to you. If you are reading this now understand that I believe  you are definitely worth being the best that you can possibly be, and you have the power to make your own journey more tolerable. Think about it!

As always, feel free to leave comments, subscribe to my posts and contact me anytime.

God Bless, and keep swimming!!