Good News & a Trip to the ER:

"Disciplined runners consistently clear their heads and focus fully on the journey ahead...because their passion and zeal for the goal supersedes the strain. The goal beckons them onward. Passion doesn't negate weariness; it just resolves to press beyond it."

~ Priscilla Shirer

I finished my most recent protocol on Thanksgiving night. Of course, the treatment was rough, but I made it through.

We several health things going on with my family, though tough with the six IV bags that day, I felt an urgency to see some extended family between bags on Thursday night. I am so glad that I could push through enough to see my family for a small time. What a blessing!

More pockets of joy include making myself okay enough to visit my good buddy, Greg’s grand opening of Anchor Coffee, in downtown Winston-Salem. If you are local, please go check it out and support this amazing business. Another pocket of joy for me is 25 days of Christmas socks. I wear 25 days of Christmas socks, (starting Dec. 1-25.) Its just a little bit of fun for me and others that join in. I’ve got a Facebook group where you can take pictures and join in the fun and invite others too!

Furthermore, I had another D.C. appointment on November 30, with some good news. The specialist said that he is seeing some small improvements. As the doctor describes there is a pain trifecta I have, but during the appointment he said that the “don’t touch me” pain

as he calls it, is some better! Isn’t that wonderful news?! I’ll take any improvements I can get. It’s encouraging and spurs more hope. He told my mom that he is seeing a bit of improvements and he is happy to see that, but to remember I am “a very sick young lady.” Although, there is still quite a battle ahead of me, again I’m very hopeful!

While we were in D.C., we found out one of my sutures had popped and the other was a bit loose. If the central line is not secure, there is a greater risk that the line can be pulled out, which would be a big emergency situation. The nurse called around places in the area but there were no appointments available. She told me we needed to get this fixed and the line secured immediately, but she and the doctor told me not to go to a D.C. ER because it’s overrun with so many sick people. The nurse told me to not use my arm or move much of the right side of my body, as we drove home till the line was secure.

Once home mom took me to my local ER. The team that looked at it all and helped re-suture both sides, were amazing. I haven’t seen the site to see the job they did, but they were so kind. If you remember when I first had my line sutured, it was quite an experience and not the good kind. I am a bit sore today, but so so glad it is secured and even more thankful that the team was so kind and compassionate throughout the procedure.

As my specialist has mentioned before, I do have an advanced stage of Chronic Lyme Disease and I am going to treat with IV longer than the average timeframe. I will also keep the port once I start the second stage to help support my system. With that in mind, I need to have more fundraisers. It’s uncomfortable to ask, especially with the economy these days, Covid, and the difficulty of treatment with my body, but if anyone would want to help me create and or host a fundraiser, please contact me.

My next protocol has a lot of similarities as the last. I will start Dec. 6, Monday, Wednesday, Friday with five IV bags and orals. Then I will have Saturday “off.” Sunday, I start the “kill zone” as my specialist says. The “kill zone” week will be five days in a row with six bags and added oral medications. I am definitely in the more aggressive stages of treatment now, but as a good friend once told me, “You’ve done it, before you can do it again.”

Thank you for all your amazing support and love. I appreciate your prayers, especially.

Please be praying for:

-my body withstand complying with my next protocol

-the consistent pain and nausea

-my inflammatory markers from my blood work still being extremely high

-the stress that this season brings on because it leads to more inflammation

-the emotional/mental toll that this kind of long-term aggressive treatment

****Most importantly PLEASE be interceding for my precious aunt Joni. She is in the hospital and has been put on a ventilator. We have had so much loss in my family over the last few years, we just can’t lose her too. She and my uncle literally pray for me every day, so faithfully covering me, now I’m asking you to again please be covering her in prayer. (Even pass it on to friends, family, and church groups.)

Thank you again for all your support, compassion, and diligent prayers!!!