The Road to Recovery

As I anxiously prepare for my upcoming trip to Switzerland I decided to create a playlist for the long, direct plan ride.  Plus when I am there I will not have wifi unless I am plugged into a wall via an ethernet chord.  So I made my playlist titled Road to Recovery.

The Road to Recovery includes:
1. Budding Trees                   by Nahko and the Medicine People
2. I took a Pill in Ibiza           by Mike Posner
3. Empire                               by Shakira
4. Shut up and dance             by Walk the Moon
5. You are in love                  by Taylor Swift
6. Out of the Woods              by Taylor Swift
7. Free Fallin'                        by Tom Petty
8. Fight Song                         by Rachel Platten
9. Break Up with Him           by Old Dominion
10. Anything Can Happen     by Ellie Goulding
11. Formation                        by Beyonce
12. To Travels & Trunks       by Hey Marseilles
13. Beautiful Drug                by Zac Brown Band       
14. You and Tequila              by Kenny Chesney
15. Clean                               by Taylor Swift
16. Renegades                       by X Ambbassadors
17. Love Yourself                 by Justine Bieber
18. Crave You                       by Flight Facilities
19. Meet Virginia                  by Train
20. Springsteen                     by Eric Church
21. Moments                         by Tove Lo
22. Calabasas                        by Hey Marseilles
23. Carolina                          by Corey Smith
24. Corona and Lime            by Shwayze
25. Hands On Me                  by Vanessa Carleton
26. Jessie's Girl                     by Frickin' A
27. Never Stop                      by SafetySuit
28. One of Us                        by Joan Osbourne
29. Really Don't Care            by Demi Lovato
30. Save it for a Rainy Day   by Kenny Chesney
31. Slide                                 by the Goo Goo Dolls
32. The Stable Song               by Gregory Alan Isakov
33. A Thousand Miles            by Vanessa Carleton
34. Time                                 by Hootie and the Blowfish
35. Under Streetlights            by Brooke Annibale
36. When we were young      by Adele
37. You're Still the One          by Shania Twain
38. Your Song                         by Ellie Goulding
39. Butterfly Kisses                by Bob Carlisle
40. Brave                                by Sara Bareilles

As you can see this list is eccentric, filled with lots of different genres.  Since I have a 6 or 8 hour plane ride across the world I figured I would mix up my music choices.  And hopefully by the end of the playlist I will be sound asleep since our plane flies through the night.

"Birds born in a cage think flying is an illness."

Healing Power of Essential Oils

Hammering your body with antibiotics is not the only way to treat Lyme disease and coinfections.  Essential oils are a great alternative or even a supplemental for your treatment.  There are many different essential oils with various properties; essential oils have been around since the biblical era (the 3 wise men brought Jesus frankinsense and myrrh).  People have been using essential oils for years.  It started with the Egyptians who used essential oils for medical practice, beauty treatment, food preparation, and religious ceremonies.  After the Egyptians started using essential oils, the Greeks began incorporating them for massages and aromatherapy.  Then it was the Romans who started using oils to promote health and wellness so this is by no means a new practice of medicine.

So what are essential oils exactly?  Essential oils are natural aromatic compounds usually found in stems, seeds, roots, flowers, and other parts of plants.  These essential oils not only help plants smell beautifully, they help protect the plants from predators, and even play a role in pollination.  Essential oils have various different appearances; they are composed of non-water based phytochemicals which are collection of unstable organic compounds.  Essential oils can appear clear or they can appear as dark as a deep blue. 

There are 3 different ways to administer essential oils. The three different methods include  aromatically, topically, or ingested.  For aromatic uses: our sense of smell influences many of our pathways including the stimulation of hormones and other metabolic processes. Aromatherapy is used in a wide facet of settings; certain oils when diffused in the air can be stimulating while others can have a calming effect.  Diffusing essential oils also helps to promote pure air, free from unwanted pathogens.  Some people even add essential oils to their cleaning regiments such as adding a few drops onto a paper towel and using it as a dryer sheets or cleaning surfaces throughout the house. 

As I mentioned previously, essential oils can be used topically.  To begin it is important to know yourself, like if you have super sensitive skin you should not apply the essential oil directly on to your skin.  In that case, just dilute the oil. Essential oils can be applied directly to the skin or diluted with a carrier oil such as coconut oil.  Certain oils must be diluted with a carrier oil, usually a 1:3 ratio.  There are definitely things to remember when applying oils directly to your skin: citrus oils can cause sensitivity to sunlight, some need to be diluted, your body can react differently every time you apply oils, and it’s been said to layer oils vs. blending them.  We dilute oils with a carrier oil when the oil is deemed a warm oil and feels too hot to be applied directly to the skin because it creates a burning sensation.  It is often recommended for essential oils to be applied to the bottom of the feet because the feet possesses more than 800 pores per square inch.  Additionally the foot has places on it that correspond to all the parts of the body, this practice is known as reflexology.  Other places to apply essential oils topically are the wrists, neck, behind the ears, stomach and the forehead.  You can even incorporate essential oils into your bath or into massages.

Another way essential oils can be useful is via a diffuser.  Diffusing rosemary, citronella, tea tree, lemon, and cinnamon can help with deodorizing your home.  Diffusing eucalyptus, cinnamon, and/or frankincense can also help with boosting your immune system.   One of the greatest powers of essential oils is that they can cross the blood-brain barrier which in turn allows them to improve your mood.  When you are feeling stressed and anxious, try diffusing lavender, ylang-ylang, and/or bergamot.  Additionally diffusing oils can help with sleep.  One study said that, “the inhalation of essential oils with hypnotic properties may provide a safe and effect therapy for some sleep disturbances, (Lillehei, A., and Halcon, L., 2014).  In another study from 2012, showed that lavender lowers blood sugar while decreasing the production of cortisol, (Kim, I., Kim, C., Seong, K., Hur, M., Lim, H, & Lee, M., 2012).  For at night, I recommend diffusing lavender, roman chamomile, and/or clary sage.  Another benefit to diffusing essential oils is it eases congestion; the best oils for that purpose is peppermint, rosmary, lemon, and/or eucalyptus.  Lastly another plus to diffusing oils is it can help set the mood; the oil ylang-ylang is known for its ability to increase libido, (“Ylang-ylang.” Essential Oils for Beginners: The Guide to Get Started with Essential Oils and Aromatherapy. Berkeley: Athena, 2013. 201. Print.).  Other oils known for setting the mood are jasmine, allspice, or clary sage. 

Lastly when it comes to ingesting oils, you must be very careful.  I would consult a trained aromatherapist that is trained in ingesting oils.  It is also important to consideration the quality of oils you are using before you consider ingesting.  Some people put essential oils into gel capsules in order to make ingesting easier.  In the lyme community there are a few blends people use for various symptom relief and management of infection.  For example, someone created a blend called Lyme bullets which includes 12 drops of thieves, 6 drops of oregano and 2 drops of frankincense. 

So after my rant on essential oils, let me tell you how useful it can be for Lyme patients.  Here are a few of my favorite essential oils and a little bit about the properties they possess.

1.     Clove oil- one of the most potent antimicrobial substance, analgesic and antiseptic properties; also has a very high capacity in terms of oxygen radical absorbance and is capable of fighting borrelia and bartonella infections

2.     Thyme, Marjoram, Oregano- all of these are antibacterial and are effective against Lyme disease

3.     Frankincense- muscle relaxant, antiseptic, anti inflammatory, and immune stimulant all in one; can help modulate immune reactions and reduce inflammation throughout the body; helps with thyroid issues too

4.     Cinnamon- great for relaxing the mind;  also a powerful antimicrobial that has been cited to cure Lyme disease; additionally posesses antiseptic, antiviral, antibacterial, antifungal properties

a.     It has been found that viruses, bacteria, and fungus cannot live in this oil. 

5.     Tea tree oil- very effective in liquefying and removing biofilms, the thin bacteria that settles on a surface; also a good antibacterial

6.     Rosemary, Lavender, Rose, Geranium- are known for their ability to stop the infectious borrelia from communicating with each other… therefore they are helpful in preventing a relapse

7.     Copaiba- very powerful anti inflammatory, anti-bacterial, disinfectant, and diuretic; helps with colds and coughs; aids in lymphatic flow; and eases vomiting

8.     Lemon- strong antimicrobial properties; stimulates the lymphatic system; assists with digestive problems; stimulating to the brain; aids concentration; fever reduction; aids in ridding intestinal parasites

9.   Lavendar- known as being a calming oil; great for reducing anxiety, reducing depression; and aiding in restful sleep 

10. Peppermint- great to use topically for pain because it is a cooling oil; helps with acid reflux, fevers and digestive issues like nausea;

There are tons of other oils that have great properties and benefits, but my list included the top 10 essential oils I use the most.

"Where there is a will, there is a way."

Sources:

https://thetickslayer.com/thieving-well-powerful-lyme-disease-oil/

http://www.lyme-treatment.com/2014/05/working-with-essential-oils.html

http://www.organiclifestylemagazine.com/eleven-essential-oils-that-help-fight-lyme-disease

http://www.healthytherapeuticoils.com/lymediseasetreatment.htm

Never lose hope

So it has been several months since my last blog post and a lot has occurred during that time period; I am no longer working 2 jobs and doing okay health wise.  I am headed to Switzerland in two weeks for a month for immune boosting treatment.  I was recently diagnosed with gastroparesis after throwing up for several months.  Now let me tell you, just how I got here.

At the end of July, I suffered my third concussion of the year and I was diagnosed with viral meningitis, which my LLMD doctor believed to be caused from a coinfection I suffer from.  I was hospitalized for almost two weeks with the meningitis and had to learn to re-walk after having a lumbar puncture and a blood patch.  A blood patch puts your own blood back into the hole where the fluids were taken.  After the blood patch I physically could not walk and had to regain my strength.  I had to do occupational therapy and physical therapy.  The meningitis was a major setback for my health; I had to restart IV antibiotic therapy.  I still have not recovered over 7 months later.

I started grad school for my Master’s in social work at the end of August but by mid October I was so sick that I was harming my body by continuing with my education so I took medical leave.  I was throwing up every day and physically struggling at my internship at an inner city middle school.  I didn’t have the energy to complete a day.  While I was still in school I had to get my port replaced.  My portacath stopped working so I had to get a new one placed on the opposite side.

After I took medical leave from grad school, I attended homecoming at James Madison University.  ESPN had chosen JMU to be their college game day team.  I had a great weekend with my senior year roommates.  It was nice to be back in Harrisonburg.  I had missed it.  I had missed a nice Jackbrown’s burger.  And my best friends of course.  Laughing is one of the best therapies. 

 

Reunited and it feels so good! 

On the quad watching all of the mayhem

After my trip to JMU, I traveled up to New York for one of my closest friend’s 24^th birthday which happened to be Halloween weekend.  I had bought a Dorothy costume but the zipper was broken, that’s what you get for buying it at a thrift store.  So instead I was a beautiful butterfly.  

Since my meningitis episode I have done 7 additional months of IV antibiotics.  Remember I have already completed 16 months of IV treatment, now I have completed 23 months of IV treatment.  I have done various combinations of merrem, clindamycin, azithromycin, cipro, tigecycline, and daptomycin.   Originally I had attributed the constant nausea to all of the IV medication.

This year I attended Thanksgiving and Christmas at my grandparent’s house which hasn’t occurred in years.  I was really happy to be able to be there and spend the holiday with my family.  This year I started to realize just how sick I am and I am scared of the amount of time I have left on earth.  I have started reflecting more, attending more family events, and trying to be more present.

Erlemeier family Christmas 2015

Payton and I Christmas 2015

 

End of the year dinner with my grandma

After Thanksgiving I had a few friends visit me.  One I had never met but had been talking to online for several months.  She stayed with my family and I before her LLMD appointment.  It was so cool to meet her in person.  We ended up going to Shake Shack and even going to see the lights on 34^th street. 

After Christmas I got a text from my best friend’s Mom about going to California for New Year’s Eve.  That trip rejuvenated me.  I can’t tell you enough just how much seeing my best friend jump started me for the month of January.  I had a great New Year’s Eve with my friend and her family.  I also think the heat did me some good.

Santa Monica Pier

                                                 

 

Celebrating the New Year right

Hiking the Bump and Grind

Power Pose

It wasn’t until the end of January that my nausea got even worse, just when I thought it couldn’t get any worse.  My sister turned 21 in January and I felt as though I wasn’t present at her birthday dinner.  As my symptoms progressed I was losing sight of the end of Lyme treatment.  In February I was officially diagnosed with gastroparesis and SIBO (small intestinal bacterial overgrowth).  I spent 8 days in the hospital at the beginning of February where I ate radioactive eggs for a gastric emptying study to diagnose the gastroparesis.   This new diagnosis has caused me severe weight loss and loss of appetite.  I also had an endoscopy and colonoscopy while I was in the hospital and they noted inflammation in my esophagus which they diagnosed me with esophagitis.  Also I have regressed physically from being so weak.  I have lost over 50 pounds.  Let me just tell you before I had the gastroparesis diagnosis doctors thought I was crazy.  They asked me if I wouldn’t mind talking to a shrink.  Of course I don’t mind but that doesn’t take away my problem.  Then the doctors thought my gastroparesis was anxiety related so they are heavily medicating me in hopes of calming my stomach.  My GI doctor added Protonix, Reglan, Errythromycin, Xifaxan, Lorazapam, Simethicone, and Colace.  I am nervous to take 1mg of Lorazapam multiple times a day.  I think that dose is way too sedating.  After my initial hospital visit I went to the hospital 3 more times for stomach issues.

Radiactive eggs for my Gastric emptying study

 

Hair loss from lack of nutrients

During all of these hospital visits, I was able to get away to Florida to visit my grandparents.  I drove with my cousin (well she drove the whole trip since I am not driving right now)… 15 hour drive and I am so glad I went. I needed the sunlight and time with my cousin.  Meanwhile my parents were searching for alternative treatments.  There is a clinic in Switzerland that offers much more than we can do in the USA due to the FDA.  They offer fecal transplants, brain wave optimization, nutritional IVs, and alternative ways to rid infection such as inducing a fever. Originally when we were acquiring about Switzerland the soonest date available that I could go would be May 9^th; however I just found out on Friday that I will be going April 2^nd.  Don’t worry I will detail my entire trip for you.  

My Mom and I in Florida poolside

 

My cousin Sarah and I getting ready for the pool

A Florida sunrise

My friend Xander

Through all of this misery, I have been blessed with a strong support system of friends.  

One of my closest Lyme friends Jennifer

Nothing like a sleepover with friends

College roommate Meghan and I

I am never too old for slumbys

A new Lyme friend named Jake

My person. Who visited me in the hospital and even offered to wash my hair!

Now you are all caught up on the past 7 months. My hope is that Switzerland can get this grim reaper off my back.

“If you can't fly, run. If you can't run, walk. If you can't walk, crawl. But by all means, keep moving”