Hey guys. I am not feeling well right now, but I wanted to write a quick update and some prayer requests. Today, has been a pretty rough day. I woke up and was not feeling good at all. I was pretty nauseous and had some nerve pain. It kind of feels like little needles poking you randomly all over your skin. Not so pleasant. Needless to say, I was unable to go back to sleep. I had a chiropractor appointment that I had to go to because she treats me for my allergies. I made it to the appointment and then back home; however, that is when things began to go downhill. I started getting tingling and numbing all over my body but particularly on my left side (no, I promise you I am not having a stroke or heart attack, lol). It comes and goes. Currently, as I am typing this my left cheek is numb. This is pretty common with Lyme Disease as the bacteria has invaded your central and autonomic nervous system. It messes with your nerve endings therefore creating all the symptoms like I had today. This is a new thing for me, although, many of my friends who have Lyme have experienced this many times. It's obviously a bit unsettling.
So, we will be calling my doctor on Monday (as long as it doesn't get any worse over the weekend) and talking to him about our options. If you could just be praying for us, we would appreciate it. Please pray that these symptoms would not get any worse and actually it would be wonderful if they would disappear altogether! Also, please be praying that I would be able to get a hold of my doctor on Monday. The practice is very busy and sometimes it's difficult to get a quick call back. I know that some of my meds need to be adjusted and we feel pretty strongly that my treatment protocol needs to be more intense. Lately, we have noticed that I tend to get worse towards the end of my two-week drug holiday/break. I feel the gaps are doing more harm than good these days because just as we begin to attack the bacteria, we take a huge break. So, if you could pray that a nurse would call me back quickly, we would appreciate it. I work in the afternoons, so I really need a call back in the AM. It would be such a blessing if that would happen!
Finally, if you could be praying for our move. This is the weekend where Brian and I really needed to start moving some little things over to the new house, and it's not the best timing for me to get sicker. We don't know anyone in Tucson that we could ask for help, so it really falls on Brian's shoulders. He is not too worried, but it always makes me so sad to see him work so hard. He is such a wonderful man. I thank Jesus over and over for what a blessing he is. The movers are actually coming a week from tomorrow (the 27th, my B-day!) and that is the day we will move out to the new house. That also happens to be the difficult treatment day where I take the most antibiotics including the "evil drug" Flagyl (that is my nick-name for it, lol). I am usually in bed that day, so it's going to be interesting. If you could be praying for God's protection and that the move would go smoothly. Also, that I wouldn't have any problems staying in the new house as I am always more sensitive when I am on and just finish my treatment round.
Well, that is all for now. I need to go lay down. Thank you so much for your prayers. We can't express in words how much it means to us to have your support. I will update after I get to talk to the doctor or his nurse next week to let you know the plan.
P.S. Oh, I promise to post some pictures of our new house soon. :)
Friday, March 19, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Time for Everything
Hey Everyone. I will give a house update first! :) The house is coming together well. We had a great painter come in and use a special paint that is good for people with chemical sensitivities to seal up the walls. The fun part is I got to pick the colors out! :) I will post some pictures once we move in as I can't go in there for a couple of weeks because the paint is still off-gassing. Thank you to my parents who came down and helped my hubby and I get some things done around the house. We are so grateful!
Here is a health update about my last Lyme Disease treatment round that ended Saturday. It was really rough, but thankfully, it was not as rough as it was a couple of weeks ago. I am so relieved because that last one was absolutely horrible. I experienced the normal symptoms from herxing, but also had some symptoms really intensify and some new ones pop-up. On my last post, I think I mentioned something about having a difficult time breathing. Well, that portion of the treatment was worse this time. Starting on Friday, I noticed that I felt like I wasn't getting enough air. It's the strangest thing. I know it's not asthma because I am not wheezing or coughing and I can take my peak flow (a device that measure the air capacity of your lungs) and it measured 450 instead of 500, so not much of a difference. However, I couldn't take a deep breath, and I felt like I was constantly starving for air. It got worse and by Sunday, I was pretty dizzy from it and was in some pain. Sunday night was pretty bad; however, Brian and I have a rule that we won't go to the ER unless I am dying. Seriously, that is our pact that we made, lol. Lyme Disease and the treatment that goes along with it is so controversial and most ER doctors do not react pleasantly (that is putting it nicely) to helping you with your current issue if they don't agree with your treatment protocol. My dear friends, who also have this disease, have experienced this one too many times. Also, I have such horrible chemical and drug sensitivities that every time we go to the ER, I end up reacting to something and I am worse leaving than when I came in. So, that is why we have the "No ER" pact. :) Obviously, we would go if it was absolutely necessary for survival. Sorry, I kind of got off on a tangent there, but I always like to give you guys a picture into our crazy restricted life. It is definitely a roller coaster ride for sure!
Anyways, onto the new symptoms. Starting on Sunday, along with having a lot of trouble with breathing, I started getting tingling in my face, arms and hands and at one point a portion of the right side of my face went temporarily numb. It was pretty crazy. I also started having a lot of trouble concentrating and my short term memory took a turn for the worst. I have had some trouble formulating sentences or stringing together thoughts. Brian and I laugh about it, but it is sometimes frustrating and a little bit unnerving. I try not to get concerned about what will happen in the future, but I guess it's always in the back of my mind. I know that since the Lyme Disease has invaded my brain, when I'm on treatment, the bacteria starts protesting. I also know that what I am experiencing is normal; however, it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. It breaks my heart to see so many of my friends who are also getting treated for Lyme Disease dealing with much of the same issues, and many struggle worse than I do.
At this point, we are still unable to step on treatment. Dr. J wanted me stabilized to a point where I was getting consistent sleep, and I was up to a certain dosage on both an important medication and an important supplement. We are still working on that. Before he will increase treatment for me, he will also watch to see if I start herxing less on my current medication. Obviously, that has not really happened, so I feel we are just kind of at a stand still. It's kind of hard to be in this spot. I so desperately want my life back, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there. I want to kill this bacteria that has wreaked so much havoc on my system. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am TERRIBLE at waiting, lol. So, all of this is really trying my patience. I see my friends having a normal life having children, serving in ministry and traveling. It's so hard to not be able to know if and when those things will every happen to Brian and I. It's also hard to see some of my friends who have Lyme Disease further along in their treatment or those who are able to attack the disease more aggressively. I so desperately want that! However, at the same time, I know in my heart that my doctor is wise. I know that he has years of experience in treating this disease, and he will give me the okay to step-up treatment when he thinks I am ready. Awww, another opportunity to learn how to patiently wait. Time to grin and bear it! :P
So, in the meantime, I will praise my God for the things He has blessed me with including an amazing husband, a new house, wonderful friends and family, an awesome Lyme Disease support group and an incredible physician. I am reminded of the verse in Ecclesiastes where it talks about how there is a "time for everything." That is so true and one of these days, I have confidence that Brian and I will look back on this trial as a time that taught us much and grew us closer to our Savior. Until then, we will keep running the race before us focusing on the One who has the power to bring us through.
Here is a health update about my last Lyme Disease treatment round that ended Saturday. It was really rough, but thankfully, it was not as rough as it was a couple of weeks ago. I am so relieved because that last one was absolutely horrible. I experienced the normal symptoms from herxing, but also had some symptoms really intensify and some new ones pop-up. On my last post, I think I mentioned something about having a difficult time breathing. Well, that portion of the treatment was worse this time. Starting on Friday, I noticed that I felt like I wasn't getting enough air. It's the strangest thing. I know it's not asthma because I am not wheezing or coughing and I can take my peak flow (a device that measure the air capacity of your lungs) and it measured 450 instead of 500, so not much of a difference. However, I couldn't take a deep breath, and I felt like I was constantly starving for air. It got worse and by Sunday, I was pretty dizzy from it and was in some pain. Sunday night was pretty bad; however, Brian and I have a rule that we won't go to the ER unless I am dying. Seriously, that is our pact that we made, lol. Lyme Disease and the treatment that goes along with it is so controversial and most ER doctors do not react pleasantly (that is putting it nicely) to helping you with your current issue if they don't agree with your treatment protocol. My dear friends, who also have this disease, have experienced this one too many times. Also, I have such horrible chemical and drug sensitivities that every time we go to the ER, I end up reacting to something and I am worse leaving than when I came in. So, that is why we have the "No ER" pact. :) Obviously, we would go if it was absolutely necessary for survival. Sorry, I kind of got off on a tangent there, but I always like to give you guys a picture into our crazy restricted life. It is definitely a roller coaster ride for sure!
Anyways, onto the new symptoms. Starting on Sunday, along with having a lot of trouble with breathing, I started getting tingling in my face, arms and hands and at one point a portion of the right side of my face went temporarily numb. It was pretty crazy. I also started having a lot of trouble concentrating and my short term memory took a turn for the worst. I have had some trouble formulating sentences or stringing together thoughts. Brian and I laugh about it, but it is sometimes frustrating and a little bit unnerving. I try not to get concerned about what will happen in the future, but I guess it's always in the back of my mind. I know that since the Lyme Disease has invaded my brain, when I'm on treatment, the bacteria starts protesting. I also know that what I am experiencing is normal; however, it doesn't make it any easier to deal with. It breaks my heart to see so many of my friends who are also getting treated for Lyme Disease dealing with much of the same issues, and many struggle worse than I do.
At this point, we are still unable to step on treatment. Dr. J wanted me stabilized to a point where I was getting consistent sleep, and I was up to a certain dosage on both an important medication and an important supplement. We are still working on that. Before he will increase treatment for me, he will also watch to see if I start herxing less on my current medication. Obviously, that has not really happened, so I feel we are just kind of at a stand still. It's kind of hard to be in this spot. I so desperately want my life back, and I am willing to do whatever it takes to get there. I want to kill this bacteria that has wreaked so much havoc on my system. Anyone who knows me, knows that I am TERRIBLE at waiting, lol. So, all of this is really trying my patience. I see my friends having a normal life having children, serving in ministry and traveling. It's so hard to not be able to know if and when those things will every happen to Brian and I. It's also hard to see some of my friends who have Lyme Disease further along in their treatment or those who are able to attack the disease more aggressively. I so desperately want that! However, at the same time, I know in my heart that my doctor is wise. I know that he has years of experience in treating this disease, and he will give me the okay to step-up treatment when he thinks I am ready. Awww, another opportunity to learn how to patiently wait. Time to grin and bear it! :P
So, in the meantime, I will praise my God for the things He has blessed me with including an amazing husband, a new house, wonderful friends and family, an awesome Lyme Disease support group and an incredible physician. I am reminded of the verse in Ecclesiastes where it talks about how there is a "time for everything." That is so true and one of these days, I have confidence that Brian and I will look back on this trial as a time that taught us much and grew us closer to our Savior. Until then, we will keep running the race before us focusing on the One who has the power to bring us through.
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