One of Life's Little Gifts

A few days ago, my friend Beth loves to read blogs and happened to stumble across Kimmiecakeskickslyme's blog, she forwarded me the link because she realized that Kimmie was on the exact same protocol as me at Dr. J's!  I have never met anyone or spoken to anyone that was on the exact same protocol so I was ecstatic!  I have been emailing Kimmie back and forth ever since and Kimmie is another person, whose life has been severely affected by Lyme disease in addition to coinfections.  I am lucky to have found someone who is walking the path as I walk the path.  I have a ton of friends that have already walked the path and are at different stages of Lyme treatment, but none that are at the same stage, so I consider this one of life's little gifts.  

Here is the link to her blog, I encourage you to watch her five minute video to hear her individual story. 

http://kimmiecakeskickslyme.wordpress.com/about/

"Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply." 

My year in photographs

My year began in California- Disneyland

Shortly after the new year, my boyfriend and I broke up

My cousin and I

Bikram yoga

Susan Green and I after I testified for the Virginia bill (Lyme disease testing)

My roommates and I at the puppy farm

Erika and I after the 5k color run

My PICC line was placed at George Washington hospital in D.C..

Stevie was born, May 24th 2013

My  sister graduated high school.

I turned 21!

The 4th of July with my sister and friend!

I took a summer class to try and stay sane while undergoing the IV therapy!

My best friend Paige from California came for a visit in July!

We visited a lavender farm!

I crashed my car.

My sister got her pilot's license.

I was my sister's first passenger.

Two of my roommates and I going to see Florida Georgia Line in Richmond.

My roommates and I going to celebrate Meghan's 21st birthday.

Finally meeting Mandy Hughes and seeing that people with Lyme do get better!

A few of my favorite Lymies :)

Two of my roomies and I apple picking in October!

I had the pleasure of meeting John Donnally who biked across the U.S. to raise awareness for Lyme disease.

For Christmas my parents got me a mini labradoodle!

My roommies and I being goofs!

My sister and I sitting on Santa's lap.

Stevie opening his Christmas gift from his Auntie!

Dinner with my family (including grandma) to reflect on the previous year. 

I must say I am very thankful for everything.  Even though I have experienced hardship and pain; I have also experienced joy and happiness.  I don't know what 2014 will bring but I am grateful for the experiences and opportunities that 2013 brought.  One goal for 2014 is to travel more, seeing as I have been extremely ill for the past few years I have not done near the amount of traveling that I have wanted to, so that is my goal.  It would mean that I am moving in the right direction with my health; I hope to keep you updated on places that I am able to see even if they are right next to where I live!

"If we were meant to stay in one place, we'd have roots instead of feet, he said."

Believe in tomorrow

http://www.cbn.com/tv/2736238685001

"Believe in tomorrow. For tomorrow holds a range of possibilities."

First Dose Tige Done!

I survived my first dose of tige last night, so that can only mean good things to come hopefully!  While I did survive my first dose of tige, I think I have been pushing my body too much because yesterday I got a vitamin C IV drip, I worked out, and got a lymphatic drainage massage.  My body can only handle so many new things at once, today I feel hung over and nauseous.  Luckily, I only saved a small amount of last minute shopping to do today so I should be able to grab a nap this afternoon. 

While on the phone with my Dad yesterday, I suddenly began to sob when I realized what I was doing for New Years Eve in comparison to last year.  Last year I spent New Years Eve in Los Angeles with Paige and it was the perfect night.  We got dressed up, ate dessert first, had a glass of wine, and just laughed!  Anything I do with that girl is a good laugh.  I just grew depressed thinking about how much I miss her and how this year my plan was to just go downtown with a very good friend to a bar.  Although I am excited to be doing something with a good friend, I know nothing will compare to what I did last year.  The sobbing that began on the phone with my Dad has now initiated a downward spiral in my mind because I realized how to people heal from such a significant wound, (Lyme disease and coinfections).  I can get better physically, but after being sick for a 1/3^rd of my life when I am only 21 is a hard emotional battle to overcome. 

Last year with Paige starting with our dessert!

I am sure it is a battle that I will overcome with time.

“She believed she could so she did.”

Happy Holidays!

End of Fall Semester 2013!

With the completion of my fall semester, many exciting things have happened.  For one, I finished the semester with a 3.4 GPA; although I was hoping for Dean’s list, which is a 3.5 GPA I am extremely pleased with pulling off a 3.4 GPA.  It is not easy trying to balance a 15 credit hour semester with being sick, but I would say I managed just find in the end. 

In addition, my best friend Taylor graduated from James Madison University and that was the first friend I physically watched graduate from college.  I have to admit it was a little sad especially considering how close Taylor and I are; luckily Taylor is staying for her Master’s at JMU.  I guess you can say that I am spoiled in that sense.  One thing that I have had to keep confronting this past semester that will only continue to grow worse is the fact that all of my friends are graduating next semester and I am not.  I am staying for an extra semester and I know a handful of people staying if that.  I am going to be devastated when all of my friends graduate and I am the only one left.

One new thing in my life to help with all of the change is that I got a puppy!  Two weeks ago right before the semester ended my parents told me that after much debate they finally had decided that they were going to get me a mini Labradoodle for Christmas.  He is currently 15 weeks and with every day he gets better and better with listening to directions.  He is a great companion.

As far as being sick goes, the last protocol was okay in the beginning until I got to the CoArtem.  The CoArtem always hits me hard and gives me the worst night sweats, which means my Babesia is still active and strong.  I still have a list of symptoms a mile long, but the doctor was optimistic at my appointment on Friday.  They were happy with my improvements and while I still have a ways to go, it is always nice when someone else is able to see the improvements in you.  I am still really struggling with neck/back pain, headaches, sleep, night sweats, chest pain, difficulty breathing, memory, word retrieval, rib pain, and REOCCURING EAR INFECTIONS!  The reoccurring ear infections in the right ear has got to be the most annoying symptom I have because I have had it since June and my ear is just so raw right now.  Sometimes wind can blow and irritate my ear to the point where I cry because of how sensitive my ear is.  Also, I didn’t follow my last protocol to a tee because I forgot to take the xylitol and I feel like that is pretty essential for the protocol. 

On Friday I test dosed Tigecycline and I tolerated it well; I did dose Zofran before and after for nausea.  While I did tolerate Tige in the office, something tells me this next protocol will kick my ass!   Luckily I am home on break and really my only job is to treat this disease and it is easier while at home because I don’t have any real stress other than what I put on myself.  This will be a great month for getting better and de-stressing! 

Since I have had some spare time I was fortunate enough to get together with some friends in DC who were all in town to go to the clinic.  One beautiful thing to come out of such a nasty disease are the friends that I have met along the way:

Anyways until next time: “Attitude is the difference between an ordeal and an adventure.”