One Year of No Showers, Fighting for My Life, & Improvements 3/25 -4/10

Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. - Rick Warren

Take pride in how far you've come. Have faith in how far you can go. - Michael Josephson

Treatment started off okay this week. I was sickly and in pain but not to the extent as times in the past. I had to lie down most every day, but things were milder, until Friday. Friday it hit incredibly hard. Saturday was the worst of the first week. I found myself rolling restlessly in the bed, at the wee hours, of Saturday morning in great pain and sickness. It just got worst and lasted all day Saturday, like there was poison in my stomach and coursing through my body.

A complication to everything for the first week was I had a digestive flare, that made it hard to eat, drink, or swallow. I am currently working to keep this at bay because with treatment I’ve got to keep some sort of food on my stomach throughout the day.

The second week, known as the “KILL ZONE” was hard parts were a bit milder than the previous two protocols. I had a lot of stomach pain and herxing. My joints still have a tough time. Overall, I believe I am seeing improvements. There are times where things hit really hard, and I get incredibly sick on my stomach but grateful for any mild breaks I can get.

During the third and fourth weeks I will be majorly detoxing. This process leaves me a different kind of sick with differing issues. I often herx more, need to lie down daily, have more migraines, and pain in my body, with the random and sudden nausea. But the purpose in all the detoxing is to flush all the bacteria killed over the past two weeks.

In other news April 5th marks one year of my port insertion and April 6th marks one year

of starting treatment. It’s funny how I feel like wow this is a big year. One Year!!! One year of not being able to take a shower, sweat, do

normal movements and activities. One year of major body changes. One year of pumping my body with meds to fight Lyme. One year of almost constant nausea. One year of sitting in my red chair, hooked up, watching all the seasons go bye, out my window. AND we are still going strong with the IV therapy. Its actually a big deal, a lot to reflect on, and see how the Lord has prominently walked with me the whole way. But funny enough, its like the anniversary of the port and treatment is also, just another day that I took my six bags during the “kill zone.” Which both are fine and simply a part of the journey.

Exciting news during this time, I had a T-shirt design contest, centered around “Hope.” This has been an integral part of my life that has gotten me through many trials and challenges during treatment and life. “There is Hope. (period) no matter what.

The contest consisted of people from kiddos to adults creating designs to enter into the contest. Next, there was polling to see which design was most favored and most likely to be worn. From there I took all the polling results and consulted several people and decided on not one but four winners.

I was amazed at all the participation from creating designs to polling, opinions. A special thanks to not only the winners, Nikki Johnson, William Smith, Pangshua Riley, and contribution to Brandi Reavis Jones but also to Jonathan Swift and Pangshua again for helping with the graphics and with the “readiness” to create the T-shirts.

All of those who entered, voted, shared, and more, thank you so very much. It means a lot to me and encourages me to see everyone join in to help me and support me.

That Said, the apparel and accessories, like tote bags and coffee mugs, are now available at my store at https://www.bonfire.com/store/feeling-lymie-help-april-fight-lyme-disease/

The percentage I receive from each purchase goes directly toward my treatment cost to help me continue and finish the fight against Lyme Disease. Go give it all a look! Remember to click and scroll on each design that include options of apparel style, color, and all the extras. I appreciate all the items bought and it’s so encouraging when folks post or send pics of the clothing being worn to support me.

A couple other notable pockets of joy during the last several weeks, are the flowers are in bloom, the bees having begun to collect pollen, the birds are collecting whatever they can to build nests, and one of my favorites, the Dogwood trees are popping out. I haven’t been outside much, but I do see life springing forth from my window. The kids got to stay with us for a bit and it’s been fun having them around, Samuel even lost a tooth. I love my nieces and nephews; they truly are my pride and joy. AND to add to my pride and joy I am excited to say that my brother, David, and His wife, Bekah, are expecting! I get to add another little one to my “aunthood!!!!” I got to go on an adventure to Ulta with my Hannah for her birthday. She was so excited and so grateful. She is absolute joy and light!

Furthermore, my Mom and Dad celebrated their 45th anniversary!!!! Forty-five years testament of love and marriage is quite a feat. With celebration in mind, there have been several friends and family with birthdays lately, in particular my Dad’s 72nd birthday. He is one of the smartest men I know and has always been an amazing example of providing for his family. A special congratulation to my parents and a Happy Day of birth to my Dad.

I will be detoxing as said above for the next two weeks as well as going to several appointments, including a DC trip and the nuero ophthalmologist. Keep me in your prayers for all these things as well as the process of continuing treatment.

Thank you again for all your participation, love, and support over the last several weeks.

You continue to make a difference in my day to day, encouraging me to keep fighting.

Don't forget to check out the new apparel in my store at the following link: https://www.bonfire.com/store/feeling-lymie-help-april-fight-lyme-disease/