Off Weeks, Celebrating Loved Ones, & Starting Protocol Week One: Update Aug. 11-Sept 3

No, despite these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ who loved us.

-Romans 8:37

***Yes, I was recently in Urgent care and then sent to the ER and I will speak to that in an update, but I wrote this update prior to. So, I am posting this with another blurb coming about my ER visit later. ***

In the last three weeks it seems like so much has happened. For example, I was struck with severe pain in my sternum and my back. A few days in a row Mom and I discussed possibly going to the ER, which I try to avoid at almost all cost because of the treatment I receive as a human who has Lyme disease. But I remembered I had an emergency pain medication given by my specialist in the past. Whew, praise God for that med. Within about three doses I started having some relief. Later I figured out that that medication is the same they would have given me in shot form at the ER. Though I finally had some relief with my back, once again I missed an opportunity to see family out of town. I can’t wait for the day that Lyme doesn’t make decisions in my life. (And because God is who He says He is, that day will come.)

The following week I had a good phone appointment with my specialist. Many things were discussed such as a blood pressure issue that is surfacing but we are taking my blood pressure often and recording it to discuss at the next appointment. Another thing that has been going on, but we are putting more attention to it is a numbness I’m having in my upper thigh/hip area. I’ve got Meralgia parenthetical which is a compressed nerve at my lateral femoral nerve. Not too much I can do change it, using a special nerve cream, but we will keep an eye on this as time progresses. Though I was trying to not go to the ER, my doctor said that if it happens again, he wants me to go to the ER to get my heart checked just to make sure I’m not developing pericarditis. Like I said, this was a good appointment with many positive aspects. We discussed the third week off being a really good sign that we now know the time frame my body is taking to flush out, again a really good sign and he gave me an extra week this last protocol and will be doing the same for this current protocol. Additionally, my immune system rebooting means a lot of systems are a bit angry and sometimes there are surges through the systems that are tough, but a good sign still. Funny with is all my doc coined a nick name for me that I am the “Queen of myofascial pain.” (Which is pretty funny.)

Though its hard, tough, and painful, things are looking up in a lot of areas. We are looking at next steps with treatment, hopefully coming soon. I go back to D.C. at the end of September. During this appointment the doctor will do a thorough physical examination, a huge blood work up, and in-depth discussion of how things are going with all the symptoms and victorious. I am looking forward to the in-office appointment and hearing where things all with all three of these pieces on the table and that means moving forward.

In other news I had an eye appointment where they have suggested two different procedures to help with issues with my eyes. For now, we are trying alternate options until I am more well, and my body can handle a procedure.

Furthermore, my family got to celebrate my sister’s birthday. It was a special time with family, that I am grateful I could take part in. Moreover, I got to celebrate several friends from a far, I really look forward to the day I can celebrate in person. However, my good friend Johnny was able to come to my house so that we could celebrate him and big birthday. I had so much fun getting to see him and hang out with my family.

I also got to celebrate another life, in a very different way. A close family friend passed, and it has been really tough, but want to highlight the father, husband, and pastor that he was. He had a lot of hobbies and loved Jesus above all else. He is already missed, and my heart goes out to his wife, someone I love dearly.

On Monday I started my IV protocol. It hit me almost immediately with herxing, the die off of the bacteria, and feeling sick. Wednesday night was one of the worst nights. I am pushing forward with treatment by pressing into the Lord. I have found great comfort in know that Christ didn’t die on the cross to simply take on our sin but our sickness as well. He literally has taken on my Lyme disease, feeling all the pain I have felt, feel, and will feel even into the future. He knows it and He continues to be so faithful and absolutely closer than a brother. I am overwhelmed by His goodness even amongst my suffering.

Please be praying as I continue with treatment and take each step moment by moment.

Thank you to those who are so faithfully praying for me and checking in with me. Thank you to anyone who has given financial, your giving makes it possible to continue with treatment.

Speaking of finances, my family is hosting a yard sale benefit to help raise money for treatment funds at the end of the month, September 24. If you are cleaning out your house or need some inspiration to clean out areas of the house, we would love your donations to the sale. We also need volunteers to help with set up and break down, as well as people to help work during the sale. If you have donations and/or would be willing to help, PLEASE contact me. There is only so much I can contribute so the majority falls on my parents. Your help is so valuable and important to the success of this fundraiser.

So once again thank you for your support and contact me with any help for the yard sale!