This month's masthead is brought to you by the letter "B." B is for butterfly, bee and bull thistle. I could watch nature's co-workers for hours as they each take what they need from the thistle. As long as I didn't have to move much.
B is also for Borrelia Burgdorferi, Bartonella, Babesia and Boredom. All of which are conditions that continue to plague me. It's been a year since starting treatment for Lyme and though it may not seem so, I have made tons of improvement. For example, my joint pain has been reduced by 80%. But the flip side of that coin is that once the Lyme starts to die back back, co-infections like Bartonella and Babesia that Borrelia once harbored safely under its own defense system, become exposed causing new symptoms to suddenly develop, like labored breathing, low blood pressure, dizziness and muscle twitching. Some days I walk around the house looking like Edgar, flailing my arms about and twitching. Other days, I look completely normal, though unbearably exhausted. It's totally whack.
But as I continue to battle Borrelia, I've started treatment against the other two tick borne diseases, all leading toward another round of endless exhaustion. Our long 5-mile dog hikes have once again returned to measly 2-mile strolls that take every ounce of energy I have.
Try as I may to find ways to entertain myself, it's too hard to do anything more than spend my days in bed or on the sofa, leading to the final disease that plagues me: boredom. I have nothing in the tank creatively. My body is too shaky to use a camera. And I have no appetite to be interested in cooking. Sadly, I can't read much either.
But it too shall pass. The minute the body gives me the green light, I'll get back to writing ridiculous stories.
After all, boredom is so, well, boring.
Brought to You by the Letter B
July 2014
Sending lots of positive thoughts to you. I just want to say I miss you guys (not in a creeper kind of way). We'll be here when you're good and ready. 🙂
xoxo
Get well soon Julie. Hang in there.
Love,
Homer
What a battle, with endless twists and turns. Hang in there.
I'm sorry you're still having to fight all of this. I hope you feel better soon and I hope that once these are treated that it all over. You need a break! Hugs!
One step at a time! We're sending good thoughts your way.
Cammie!
PS: Thank you for the kind words on the loss of our brother Zimmie.
Julie,
I live on the East Coast, NY, Lyme disease central. Twenty-five years ago, I was diagnosed with Lyme, treated for 1 1/2 years on antibiotics, which left me with only a few, tolerable but permanent, symptoms.
My husband and I have 3 dogs and do a lot of hiking. Along with living in the woods, deer ticks are a constant part of our lives. I've removed 3 attached ticks in the last year alone. It's hard not to panic, but treating every time I remove an un-engorged attached tick is not reasonable either.
I've been experiencing some neurological symptoms and I wondered if it could be Lyme, again. After reading your blog, I was reminded clearly how I felt back then (and have started feeling now), and thank you tremendously for writing this down for all to read. I've made an appointment for a blood test and consult.
Since you haven't posted about Lyme since June, I'm hoping you are feeling better and better and are out enjoying life, instead of sitting on the sidelines.
Best to you,
Kim Amburgey