Tag Archives: bedridden

Video: Shockingly Candid Story of Lyme Disease

Uncategorized, Video July 27, 2016 Leave a comment

When I discovered this on YouTube years ago, I sobbed as a happy young boy’s health disintegrated before my eyes because of Lyme and co-infections—and no appropriate treatment.  I weep when I watch it today.

And I wonder if he ever recovered, because he’s extremely ill at the end of this video. The website for donations is gone. Did he make it?

So many thousands could tell similar stories of horrible illness, treatment hard-won, and improvements followed by crashing in an endless cycle.

Jean-Luc, I think of you often. You are my hero. Your courage has sustained me many a day.

I haven’t found the rest of your story online, but I hope the treatment you finally got has brought you to remission, and that you are out there fishing every day.

Beware Infection and Re-infection with Lyme

Co-infections, Lyme Basics, Prevention Tips, Ticks: Where It all Starts June 22, 2016 Comments: 5

My friend Mickey gave me this magnifying glass cleverly disguised as a necklace. Note the thin tweezers for grasping the tick close to the skin, and the sesame seed next to the nymphal tick. LifeLoveLyme

My friend Mickey gave me this magnifying glass cleverly disguised as a necklace. Note the thin tweezers for grasping the tick close to the skin, and the sesame seed next to the largish-sized nymphal tick.
LifeLoveLyme

Last week, I had just pulled out of my brother’s driveway in the gorgeous countryside on the outskirts of Middleburg, Virginia, when I felt an itch on my ankle. I looked down and saw a teensy tick clinging on by its mouthparts. Wrenching the steering wheel, I pulled over in a blind panic. Using my fingernails as tweezers, I grabbed it as close to the skin as I could and got it off.

Chanting “Be calm, be calm,” I got out of my car and scanned the parts of my body I could see. There on the back of one leg was a larger tick. I struggled with that one but got it off, too.

Making a U-turn like I was in a movie getaway scene, I tore up John’s driveway, jumped from the car and ran into his house. I shouted out what I’d found as I headed for the bathroom, stripping off my clothes as I went.   Continue reading →

What Does Chronic Fatigue Mean, Really?

Lyme Basics, Symptoms: How Do You Feel?, Tips for Family and Friends April 22, 2016 Comments: 5

 

 

IMG_1843

Because I’m not merely “tired” when Lyme  gets me in it’s grip, I’m far beyond that. Tired is what happens to well people who overdo. It’s what happens to heroines in Victorian novels who faint on chaises.

Isn’t there a better pronouncement for what happens to people with chronic illness—sometimes even when we do nothing at all?

In my opinion, “chronic fatigue” is so overused it has no meaning.  Continue reading →

Video: Pathologist Alan MacDonald Addresses Important Lyme Questions

Co-infections, Lyme Basics, Testing, Ticks: Where It all Starts, Video September 14, 2013 Leave a comment

If you’re like me, you want to know the latest scoop on what scientists are learning about Lyme disease. In this May 2013 interview we hear again from pathologist Alan MacDonald. (This interview is part 2 of a 3-part series, see the first one here). I’ve noted some key points you can jump to if you don’t have time to view the entire interview.

Continue reading →

Video: Rachel’s Story: What It’s Like to be a Teen with Lyme

Recovery: The Picture of Health, Staying Positive, Teens & Children, Video May 30, 2013 Comments: 3

I like so many things about Rachel’s YouTube video, I hardly know where to start. She’s so earnest, so honest, so insightful.

The details she gives of life with lyme at 14 along with her perspective at age 20 reveals so much. Her juxtaposition of “then” and “now” is simply brilliant.

Continue reading →

Sometimes You Just Have to Laugh

Humor, Mental Health, Staying Positive December 4, 2012 Comments: 2

Last winter, housebound and often in bed, I watched the video above many times every day. Who knows why it makes me laugh out loud—though I will admit, dogs and food rank as two of my favorite things.

At any rate, more than 123 million YouTube views say I am not alone. I am pretty sure I accounted for a healthy portion of that number.

Let me just say that it’s a downer struggling to recover from a disease that affects your mind, your body, your family life, your career, and your bank account. Sometimes you just have to look to humor to get by.

To my daily task list (swallow pills, infuse IV drugs, inject blood thinner, follow steps to detox, rest, exercise (baby steps), rest some more, and eat loads of vitamin-rich food), I have added: laugh.

Continue reading →