And the Beat Goes On... Update April 23- May 7, 2022

“A bird does not give up flying today because it couldn't find any worms yesterday.”

― Matshona Dhliwayo

Treatment has been rough, but trying to keep rolling with it all, knowing that each IV bag, each pill or tincture swallowed is one step closer to healing.

Over the last two weeks, I have spent most of my time in bed. The first week hit pretty early in the week. Again, it all consists of “resting,” trying to be asleep, heating pads, and ice packs, and lots of meds.

Because I was having such a hard time by Friday, I requested a skip day on my night IV bags, which was granted. That same evening, I tried to attend a worship night mom and I

had purchased tickets for a while back. I felt like I was dragging a dead person to the event. I got to see a couple friends which was great. A huge pocket of joy was seeing a dear friend of mine from high school that I hadn’t seen in ages! She said something to me that meant so much… “I am so proud of you! Look at you, fighting to even try to show up. I’m just so proud of you.” I didn’t even know she knew I was sick, much less doing this treatment. But it was so validating to hear someone acknowledge the hardship and the fight at the same time. The worship night was good but hard and ultimately, my body couldn’t handle the adventure, so my mom and I left early.

Having the extra evening off did help Saturday be a bit less intensive.

Sunday began the “Kill Zone.” Once again, there must have been a great deal of killing going on, because whewie!

But I want to mainly say wow, the amount of love and support, all those praying for me has made a huge difference. The response to my post on Wednesday asking for prayer has been extremely inspiring and encouraging. All these prayers truly helped me keep holding on.

For the next two weeks, I will be going through the detoxing process, which usually induces frequent intense migraines and increased joint and nerve pain or body pain all around. My digestive system also tends to go through an interesting process during this time.

Hopefully within a weeks’ time, I will be able to detox enough to be feeling better. My avenues of detoxing are limited, and my detox pathways often are clogged, making the whole detoxing process worse. But I will keep doing it and pressing on.

It has been important reminding myself that The Lord goes before me and is always with me.

Outside of seeing my dear high school friend, other pockets of joy have been the birds outside. I love that my chair faces all the various birds that come to feast on the bird feeders. Now several of the birds have made nests which has been a lot of fun to watch the process.

On Tuesday last week, some of my family got together to watch my brother and sister-in-law on National Television, Unsellable Houses. It was so weird but very cool. The house was a house I lived in with Erin. So, as we watched, a flood of wonderful memories of adventures with Erin and our sweet Daisy girl.

Moreover, another thing that brought me joy was I straightened my hair

just for fun while worshipping to a song on repeat for like two hours or so.(If you haven’t

heard Hillsong’s song “Pursue/All I Need is You Medley/Live” I would highly recommend taking some quiet time listening before the Lord.)

An additional pocket of joy includes, the flowers blooming on the back porch. I used to have a garden there, but I haven’t been able to care for the area not even pull weeds, but some of the year-round plants that I have had for years have begun budding. I love how the natural untamed world continues to bloom and radiate God’s presence.

Furthermore, May is Lyme Disease awareness month. I have been posting facts about Lyme as well as ways to protect yourself and those you love. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask me. As the weather changes and folks are outside more, it is important to be proactive in protecting yourselves.

Please be praying as I detox the next two weeks that the symptoms will pass quickly, and I will rebound having some better days. Be praying specifically for my migraines as I take a new medication for them during week four. Be praying for my joints and nerves as well as my digestive system. I am also, losing my hair at an alarming rate, pray that my body will find an equilibrium in many systems, which may be causing this, to remedy this issue rapidly.

My next appointment is May 16, where I will more than likely be prescribed my last IV antibiotic protocol. If not, it is definitely right around the corner!

Thanks, you to those who have financially been supporting me during this protocol, every bit counts, so thank you so very much. Also, to those sending messages and praying for me, you are also a huge blessing to me, and I am so grateful for your faithfulness!