Health Update~ When Not So Good News is Good News

Every week I go to Knoxville for an appointment on the Ondamed, which is the treatment that got rid of the Lyme. We continue to use it to treat the damage the Lyme did. In addition, every 3-4 weeks I had appointments to check my supplements. The last couple of months, the supplements started changing so much so often, that I've increased those appointments to every other week (same trip as the Ondamed appointment). Some of the changes in supplements have been decreases; some have been increases. Pretty much, the only change I've felt has been to feel worse. However, I know from everything we have read about Lyme Disease that that actually means progress is being made, even though I don't feel it. It gets hard sometimes to remember that and to keep my focus off increasing symptoms, but the Lord keeps me hanging on, reminding me, and reminding me of the restoration He has promised.

This past week's seemingly "not so good news" was that another bacterial infection has shown up. I have honestly been very surprised that I have only had the one very stubborn Staph infection, which I had for 15 months. Antibiotics didn't kill it, then when I started treatments at this new place, it took about 7 months of treatment to knock it out. The reason I am surprised is that Lyme always comes with co bacterial infections~usually 2 or more. The good news is that she doesn't believe this is a new infection, but one that has been there finally showing up. The way this treatment works is like pulling things off in layers...peeling an onion. As the body deals with one thing and starts healing, the next layer can show itself. She said she has been waiting and waiting on this to come out, because she knew it had to be there. So, yes, it showing up is a good thing and can now be treated. It also means that progress is being made against this disease, even when it doesn't feel that way. This was really an answer to my prayers the last few weeks, because I have felt at a stuck place. Like we are just treating the same things over and over, week after week, with no progress, even though I know it takes time....healing from Lyme takes LOTS of time, unless you catch it early. The Lord knew I needed to see things take a step, and He has been faithfully healing on the inside. 

The only known visable effect the new bacterial infection is having is discomfort/pain in my left shoulder and shoulder blade area. However, I have also been much more tired and more out of commission the last few weeks, and I don't know if that is playing a part in it. I have just assumed it was from way over doing it since the beginning of April.

April and May were incredibly hard, but God kept me going to do what I needed, and a little of what I wanted, to do. It started April 7th, taking Ashley to Kentucky to start her journey to Alaska. We spent one night in KY, and traveled the next day to Nashville for James to help work on Troy's and Briana's new house. That day traveling was exhausting, and I got a severe neck ache, which I guess caused one of the most horrid headaches I have ever had, although even after my neck felt better the headache was relentless for days. (Lyme can cause migraines, but I had only had such a severe headache once back in Oct.) I spent most of the several days in the hotel resting, but still needed to be up and dressed, going out most every day, and that is extremely draining. The week after we got home, was Daniella's birthday, and we celebrated with family with an afternoon out. The next week, James and I were back to Nashville for him to help work and move them. I over did it, and this trip was even more difficult physically. (I WANTED to be there, though!) We returned with about a week and a half until Marissa's birthday, followed the next week by her slumber party. That is why I assume I have felt even more fatigued! (Ya think?!) I just haven't been able to recuperate from those weeks, and I am sure the bacterial infection is making it harder.

One other issue that I have dealt with in the last few weeks is what we think was a detox. Just before that second trip to Nashville, she discovered that my kidneys were not detoxing. When you start treating Lyme, it reacts by releasing tons of toxins and bacteria into the blood stream and cells. It overloads the system and massive detoxing is necessary. The body can't always keep up, but also my kidneys weren't working the way they should. She put me on a new supplement for that. I didn't know what was coming! I went through a horrid week or 2, where I told them that I felt like something had invaded my body. It was a scary feeling. The Lord held onto me without too much collateral damage, and a week or so after this was over, I read this~



"Herxheimer reaction ("Herx"): definition should be "torture." Can be used as a noun or verb as in "I herxed so bad I felt like I was run over by a truck and then dragged by a pack of wolves through hot dry sand." Scientifically speaking, a herxheimer reaction is what occurs during the treatment of Lyme disease and its co-infections. The common misconception is that when a patient is treated with meds, it should be all uphill from there. Medication should make you feel better, right? Very wrong. When spirochetal bacteria (like Lyme) is killed off, it releases a massive load of toxins in the body. These toxins are "neurotoxins" and "endotoxins", which putting it simply means that it is a toxin to the brain and the patients' organs. Typically the death of these bacteria and the associated release of endotoxins occurs faster than the body can remove the toxins via the natural detoxification process (hence the need for tons of detox supplements, herbs, and strict diet). Herxing can cause a whole host of symptoms, ranging from seizures, migraines, excruciating pain, dizziness, relentless hours of crying, anxiety, heart rate issues, pain, inability to breathe, insomnia, episodes of rage, confusion, memory loss, and much, much more. This, therefore makes Lyme treatment grueling, and very similar to cancer treatment with chemotherapy."



I, very thankfully, did not have all of these symptoms listed, nor were some of the ones I had as severe as they indicated, but they were bad enough. Some were very bad. I am so thankful that is over, at least for now, and prayerfully, for good!

Aside from the increased fatigue, the only other increased symptoms I can think of at the moment are joint and muscle aches (not daily, but lots of days), my trouble with comprehension and processing has gotten worse again, some increased digestive issues again, the insomnia and dreaming has increased again, and my body's ability to handle stress. (stress? who has stress?!)

And, of course, there are times that it is extremely difficult emotionally. Not daily...or sometimes daily for just a short while. This past week, my practitioner said something that stood out to me. She said that when she had been sick with MS, and as with many other sicknesses, she was very sick, but "functionally sick". She said that I am "non-functionally sick". Not a news flash. I kind of knew that, but I think to hear her say it jolted me a little. It's not just me. I really am. However, God is gracious, and He's helped me, and He's going to continue to help me, and we believe, heal me. 



The 3rd week of June will mark 2 years since I first started feeling worse again...sick and fatigued, resting some, but having to push myself to go places. The last week of July will mark 2 years since my body quit. I'm about to take a risk here, and tell you something. The Lord spoke to me recently, through scripture (Elijah) and His voice, about 2 years of rest and good food. I don't know what He has planned. I don't hold Him to anything my heart might wish. June or July will be two years of rest. Two years of good food...not so much until next Feb. I also don't hold God to any time table. But, He did speak the 2 years to me. He says to ask Him, so I'm asking Him, and asking those who would to join me, for me to have a significant amount, if not total healing, by the end of June or July. Is that risky? Yes. But, that is what faith is. If that is not what He had in mind, I will be disappointed, but all will be okay. He will have a bigger blessing in store. Thank you to those who will join me in this prayer, and if you feel comfortable letting me know, please do, as it is great encouragement. Any "like" or comment in this battle is great encouragement.