tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45854337757477608762024-02-07T04:15:53.745-08:00When Life Gives You Lyme's...Make Margaritas!The ramblings of a girl who was (un)lucky enough to be cured of Lyme's Disease only to then be diagnosed with Babesia 2 years later.LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-24587211719456509432013-07-09T21:25:00.001-07:002013-07-09T21:25:25.216-07:00Have You Met My Nemesis? GLUTEN!<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have suffered from food allergies ever since I was born! So much so that when I was a toddler, I looked like one of those starving African babies with the swollen stomach and tiny limbs. I was <u>literally</u> allergic to EVERYTHING I ate and therefore had malnutrition. My bones and teeth started to deteriorate. Thus began my love/hate relationship with Gluten.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My mom always tried her best to make my food "normal" but I knew I was being deprived. This deep routed feeling devoid of certain foods festered for years. When I went to college and moved out on my own I felt a sense of food freedom. I ate anything and everything that I had been restricted from. And of course I gained a ton of weight and felt very ill. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So we all know where this story is going, right? I had Lyme all this time and we all know that Gluten is a NO-NO when you are fighting Lyme. I have to say...and I know how ridiculous this sounds....trying to stay Gluten-free is the WORST part of having Lyme! I'm crazy, right?! I have episodes where I literally gasp for air for hours and I am in such intense pain I have to take medication to "knock me out." But to me, the DAILY struggle to give up Gluten is agonizing! You would think it would be so easy because it gives me such terrible symptoms and I wouldn't want to feel that way, but because my food intake has been controlled since birth, I have serious emotional issues when it comes to restricting my diet. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Food is a social outlet for me. I love to cook for people (when I am feeling well) and I love to go out to dinner. I get so angry when doctors or family members tell me that I am not going to feel good if I eat that bread stick! I know this, but it's almost as if it causes me more emotional pain to watch other people get to eat whatever they want without me then the symptoms I will have from eating the Gluten. Am I alone in this feeling? Am I just a crazy kookaburra???? I probably need some intense therapy but hey....at least I've made the first step and admitted that my name is Sarah, and I am addicted to Gluten!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">It is bad enough that I have a debilitating disease, but the fact that I have to restrict my diet also just kills me! And the icing on the cake is that when I do get all motivated to go Gluten-free, the gluten-free food is so damn expensive that I can't afford it because I am paying an arm and a leg to get treatment for Lyme Disease that insurance won't pay for! Whew! That was a mouthful! Then I get angry at the whole situation again and the cycle continues :( </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With all that glutenygobblygook out there now, I will end with my<span style="color: lime;"><b> "Make Margaritas"</b></span> Inspiration for today:</span><br />
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<br />LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-57154581836002646952013-06-25T19:16:00.000-07:002013-06-25T19:16:12.508-07:00Go BIG or Go HOME!!!<div style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; margin-bottom: 23px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"> I am 34 years old and have suffered from Lyme Disease and its co-infections (Babesia) for the majority of my adult life. Every day I am afflicted with some degree of pain and neurological symptoms such as anxiety, brain fog, memory loss, and confusion. Some days are worse than others to the degree where I am so weak I cannot walk or get out of bed, I experience shortness of breath/chest pain, involuntary muscle twitches, and Bell’s Palsy. I have attempted to cure my diseases with multiple oral antibiotics, several herbal supplements, and months of IV therapy. These treatments have only suppressed the symptoms. After many years of struggling to hold down a job while fighting these diseases, the symptoms became too severe and I was put on disability in October 2012.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">After my Lyme Literate Doctor was recently forced to turn over her medical license, I felt like I had reached a turning point in my treatment and it was time to “GO BIG or GO HOME.” I started researching Lyme treatment centers in the U.S. and after hearing the testimonies of some “Lyme friends” who had been cured ,I made the decision to go to Sponaugle Wellness Institute in Clearwater, FL. Dr. Marvin Sponaugle’s patients have less than an 8% relapse rate and he has treated celebrity Lyme patients such as Yolanda Foster from Real Housewives of Beverly Hills. The treatment is a six to twelve week full time program. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"> In a manner of speaking, this is my last ditch effort to be cured once and for all. I have decided that I am no longer going to settle for having just a few good days every once in a while. I want to live a “normal,” healthy life! My passion has always been helping others. I believe that I have been given this health struggle to spread Lyme Disease Awareness. When I am cured, I plan on starting a non-profit organization to spread awareness and help raise funds to assist other Lyme patients in receiving life saving treatment.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">“At Sponaugle Wellness Institute we practice integrative medicine. We combine the best of western medicine and naturopathic medicine. Our mission is to diagnose and treat the underlying cause of our patient’s illness rather than to treat their symptoms. What distinguishes our clinic from other Integrative Wellness Centers is our extraordinary brain expertise. Through treating 7,000 patients with psychological and neurological disorders, we learned that we must first heal the brain to heal the body. The brain controls every organ and system in our body. The integration of modern brain science with anti-aging and functional medicine gives our patients the most holistic medical treatment in America.” (<a href="http://sponauglewellness.com/about-us/" rel="nofollow" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; font-family: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; margin: 0px 0px 23px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;" target="_blank">http://sponauglewellness.com/about-us/</a>)</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">With all this being said, with the help of my husband, we have launched a full blown fundraising campaign to get me to Sponaugle in 3-4 months. I wanted to write this blog to help other people come up with ideas on how to raise money for their own treatment choices. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><u>Step 1</u>: Start a GiveFoward Donation website. <a href="http://www.giveforward.com/" target="_blank">GiveForward</a> You are welcome to have a look at mine to give you an idea of how to set one up. <a href="https://www.giveforward.com/fundraiser/52l2/sarah-buckley-s-treatment-fund" target="_blank">Sarah Buckley's Treatment Fund</a></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><u>Step 2</u>: Brainstorm any and all connections you have to businesses and people with talents such as musicians, artists, and bakers. Once you put together a list, then sort them by category:</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"> <b>Businesses</b>- Ask these people for donations of products and/or gift certificates for a silent auction</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Musicians</b>- Ask these people if they would be willing to play a benefit concert for you with the money raised going to your treatment fund.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Artists</b>- Ask these people to donate pieces of artwork for you to sell on <a href="http://www.etsy.com/" target="_blank">Etsy</a> (Check out my Etsy store for ideas- <a href="http://www.etsy.com/shop/LymeMargaritas" target="_blank">LymeMargaritas</a>)</span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><b>Bakers</b>- Ask these people if they would be willing to make some pies/desserts and host a Bake Sale for your fundraiser</span></span></li>
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<span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;"><u>Step 3</u>: Time to clean out the closets and do some spring/fall cleaning. Make a pile of everything you could sell (Clothes, Shoes, CD's, DVD's, Books, Video Games, Furniture, Collectibles, etc...)</span></span></div>
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<li><span style="color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 23px;"><b>Clothes/Shoes</b>- These items can be sold at various consignment shops in your town</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 23px;"><b>CDs/DVDs/Books</b>- These items can be taken to a used bookstore that has a buy back program.</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 23px;"><b>Video Games</b>- These can be sold at places like Vintage Stock and Game Stop</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 23px;"><b>Furniture</b>- This can be sold on <a href="http://www.craigslist.com/" target="_blank">Craigslist</a> or in a yard sale</span></span></li>
<li><span style="color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black; line-height: 23px;"><b>Collectibles</b>- These are best sold on <a href="http://www.ebay.com/" target="_blank">Ebay</a></span></span></li>
<li><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>Everything</b>- Have a fundraising yard sale and ask your friends and family to donate items for you to sell!</span></li>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><u>Step 4</u>: Host a Silent Auction with any donated items you receive. Be sure you promote your event on Social Media sites such as Facebook and Twitter! You can even place an ad in your local newspaper!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;">Most importantly, don't stress! Let this be a fun adventure and be creative! Share some of your fundraising ideas in the comments section so we can all benefit!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: white;">And here is my</span></span> </span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: lime; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"><b>"Make Margaritas"</b></span><span style="color: white; font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> inspiration for today:</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: ProximaNovaRgRegular, Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="background-color: black;"><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 23.09375px;">"We are always getting ready to live but never living."</span><span style="font-family: georgia, serif; line-height: 23.09375px;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<b><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;">--Ralph Waldo Emerson</span></b></div>
</b>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-51455058843819374972013-06-14T21:10:00.000-07:002013-06-14T21:10:43.701-07:00Follow up post to "Are We There Yet?"<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I have been dreading posting this follow up because I do not want to come to grips with all the sadness. But it is time to face reality, so here we go... *Deep Breath*</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">1. The "infuriating and out of control" situation I mentioned in my last post only became MORE infuriating and out of control. After a long fight, my LLMD gave up the battle and handed over her medical license. The insurance companies came after her and she had to do what was best for her family. She is a BRILLIANT Lyme doctor! People would travel from all over the world to be treated by her. I am devastated! There are so little Lyme Literate Doctors out there and the insurance companies are trying to make it so that there are NONE! I wish I knew how to make this STOP! This is complete madness!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">2. In other sad news, at my last appointment with my LLMD, I found out that my Babesia was NOT gone :( In fact, I started having a flare up of severe symptoms again and had to restart all of my treatment again. It's like I am back at step 1 and the past year was just a waste of time and money. I have had to take baby steps getting back in to a treatment routine because I was so furious and just wanted to give up. One of the things I hate most about this disease, is how I will improve greatly and take 5 steps forward, then I will have a setback and take 20 steps back. The constant back and forth makes my already terrible anxiety go through the roof!!! So many times I have gotten my hopes up, thinking I am getting better, just to have my dreams shattered and end up having to stay in bed for 5 days because I am so sick.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">3. On a side note, I am getting my Master's in Human Services through an online University. It allows me to have bad days and still be able to get my work done on time. All I want is to help people. I would love to somehow open up a treatment center for Lymie's and offer all kinds of therapies. Have multiple Lyme Literate Practitioners under one roof. A one stop shop for all things Lyme. I dream of this, I yearn for this, I pray for this! I bargain with God to heal me just so I can pay it forward and help others. It keeps me up at night! I do not understand why someone who has so much life experience and knowledge in chronic illness cannot just move on and help other people. I feel like my life is being wasted. But I am sure I am not alone in these feelings and that is why there is a thing called faith! We have to believe that there is purpose to all this madness. We have to hang on to the idea that good things come to those who wait. So today, I will end with this very appropriate and sanity saving <span style="color: lime;">"Make Margaritas"</span> inspiration:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-6873686165494632952013-06-12T21:55:00.001-07:002013-06-12T21:55:16.894-07:00Oh, right! I have an imaginary illness! I keep forgetting.<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I know I am not alone when I say that I sometimes wish I had Cancer instead of Lyme Disease/ Babesia. And for those of you that read my blog who do not have a tick-borne disease, you must be thinking, "That chick doesn't know what she is talking about! Cancer is terrible! Why would she wish for that???" Let me try to explain... If I had Cancer, not only would my treatment be covered by insurance, but my disease would be accepted by society!!! Do you understand how HUGE that is??? Cancer is supported by EVERYONE! People host fundraisers, 5K/Marathons, there are celebrity endorsers, the community embraces you. What do you get when you have Lyme Disease??? People shun you, doctors tell you it is all in your head, the CDC and IDSA do not believe it is a chronic condition and therefore treatment is not covered by insurance. To put it bluntly, unless you have Lyme Disease and understand what it is like, NO ONE GIVES A SHIT ABOUT YOU! You may think, "she is being a tad dramatic. It can't really be that bad." I encourage you to go to the Lyme Disease support groups and hear the THOUSANDS of stories of patients whose families have turned their backs on them because, "Lyme Disease is not that serious and we are just being lazy." I wish I was making this up. I wish this was not the God awful truth. Lyme Disease IS just as devastating as Cancer if not worse because we receive NO support!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, why am I ranting about this today? It's not like I was just diagnosed. I know that hand I was dealt and I am taking it day by day trying my hardest to fight the good fight with a positive attitude. Well, let's just say a "family member" was just diagnosed with Cancer. Of course, I felt terrible and wanted to know how to help. What blew me away was how the "family" responded to her diagnosis. They immediately set up a fundraising website for her, they are hosting silent auctions, they have had "classes" specifically to raise money in her honor, and the list goes on. Where was this "family" when I needed them? I had to set up my OWN fundraising page for myself. And let me take this time to say that I am forever grateful to EVERYONE that helped me. My point is, I am left to feel that my disease it not as important or a serious as Cancer when that is NOT the case. In fact, I would not be surprised if she is cured of her Cancer long before I am ever cured of my Babesia. Please do not take this post out of context, I am no way bashing or belittling people with Cancer. I am simply trying to stress that Lyme and its co-infections should receive the same recognition and support. And with that being said, I will end with my <b><span style="color: lime;">"Make Margaritas"</span></b> inspiration for today: </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFS8EXGBKxLsraTsJ7q-NnJp3jTECwStYByedkiHC5ic79YG6-RMZXImfo6HPJP_3ndHhae87wap4h7gFxZRfxH5WEb495KUwe3SHlz3t1vS6_S6I76AGESCDrMNcQ26Yi6I-n8_N-aw/s1600/bd589996da26bc5a1d56352d533e5106.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOFS8EXGBKxLsraTsJ7q-NnJp3jTECwStYByedkiHC5ic79YG6-RMZXImfo6HPJP_3ndHhae87wap4h7gFxZRfxH5WEb495KUwe3SHlz3t1vS6_S6I76AGESCDrMNcQ26Yi6I-n8_N-aw/s320/bd589996da26bc5a1d56352d533e5106.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-25086184106247356462013-03-17T20:24:00.001-07:002013-03-17T20:26:03.398-07:00Are We There Yet???<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> When things are infuriating and out of your control, you have two choices:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>1.</b> Give in to the fear and insanity, cry your eyes out, have a full blown panic attack, and then hide under your covers forever...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>OR</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2.</b> When you are done with choice #1, (haha) you make the decision to take all that anger and let it motivate you to make a change.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I wish I could elaborate on my situation more, and hopefully in a future post I can, but just know I am done with choice #1. I am praying that God leads me to the purpose behind this terrible situation so that I can help others. If you find it in your heart, please join me in praying that I find the meaning in the madness. Thank you!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On to better news, I saw my LLMD recently and she said my blood work was PERFECT! This is the first time that my CO2 level was normal!!! This means that I am no longer hypoxic! I can definitely feel the difference. We are still waiting on the results of my ECP test (Babesia level) but she said that the fact that my CO2 level is normal is a good indicator that my Babesia is either low or gone! Oh how I pray that it is GONE! But she said something very important in my appointment that I was glad that she said in front of my husband. If it turns out that my Babesia is gone, it will still take 1-2 years for me to completely recover. Babesia is a serious disease that has reeked havoc on my body for over a year. Just like any other damage to your body, it takes time to for the body to heal. This is a good reminder for me as I start to feel better that I need to take it easy and not push myself too hard. When we have good days we often want to take advantage of that and push our bodies to the limit. Then of course we pay for it for days afterwards. Baby steps! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If I am free of Babesia, I still have a ways to go to get my life back. Right now I am focusing on getting my circadian rhythm back on the right track. Being in the right sleep pattern is SO important! I'll say it again...baby steps! I won't deny that the path to recovery is LONG and painful, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, my <b><span style="color: lime;">"Make Margaritas"</span></b> inspiration for today is:</span><br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; font-size: large;"><b>"I'm not telling you it's going to be easy- I'm telling you it's going to be worth it." ~Art Williams</b></span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-85556481131109418602013-01-31T09:54:00.000-08:002013-01-31T09:54:56.683-08:00New Year Priorities<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well, Happy *belated* New Year, Lymies! I hope the new year and colder temps are treating you well. On this last day of January, I propose that we not make new year resolutions, but instead new year priorities! Since I got married in September of last year, I completely abandoned my treatment protocol. Shame on me...I know, I know. And so now I am trying to pick up the pieces and get my life back on track. I haven't taken Mepron in months and my glucose level is so outta whack that I am now pre-diabetic and can only drink fruit smoothies until I can get my glucose back under control. Let's see, I lost my health insurance and have been playing the waiting game with trying to get Medicaid. I am sure you can relate how incredibly frightening it is for someone with Lyme Disease to not have insurance!!! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Anyway, so here is my plan. I have decided to stop having a pity party for myself! Yes, it sucks that I have been battling Babesia for over a year now, and yes it sucks that I feel like I'm starting my treatment over from scratch, but things could be much worse! I am choosing to look at the positives. Resolutions are made to be broken, so let's join together to make some priorities in our lives.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>My New Year Priorities:</u></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1. Eat Healthy and Get my Glucose Level under Control</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">2. Focus my Energies on Getting Well INSTEAD of Feeling Sorry for Myself</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">3. Get Back on my Treatment Plan even if it means Taking Baby Steps to Get There</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">4. Find the Positives in Each Day (even on my worst days)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What small new year priorities can you make?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And here is my New Year <b><span style="color: lime;">"Make Margaritas"</span></b> inspiration for today....</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RUZtFdFoVVBqsATY61vgewyxCMBpeVm-aTYw7J-NhpEXGfn5U2RK5_G2Zea-F1iYhLcRF3JbBAEkr5-JPAxPysTYSqeE6uWhX7uMufFMWPSMQrrIIsxvI2ggnfO5h0_tJj6Fkrk1344/s1600/6a410e3b7615d54b6b14de0174a9741e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="256" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4RUZtFdFoVVBqsATY61vgewyxCMBpeVm-aTYw7J-NhpEXGfn5U2RK5_G2Zea-F1iYhLcRF3JbBAEkr5-JPAxPysTYSqeE6uWhX7uMufFMWPSMQrrIIsxvI2ggnfO5h0_tJj6Fkrk1344/s320/6a410e3b7615d54b6b14de0174a9741e.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-74635036972135084572012-09-16T21:54:00.001-07:002012-09-16T21:54:24.785-07:00Stationery card<div class="sflyProductPreviewWidget" style="width:425px; height:494px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetTop" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/top.gif);"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetCenter" style="height:482px; padding: 0 6px 0 6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bg.gif); background-repeat:repeat-y;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewLogo" style="width: 105px; height: 34px; padding: 14px 0 0 14px;"><img src="http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/logo.gif" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewContainer" style="height:350px; text-align:center; padding: 0;"><a href="http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AYs3LJw5ZsWbrI&cid=SFLYOCWIDGET&eid=115"><img src="http://images-community.shutterfly.com/prs/v1/0AYs3LJw5ZsWdg/0AYs3LJw5ZsWdupA/p/67b0de21b3127d902548/JPEG/1347857638000/0/" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;"></a></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewMessageContainer" style="height:55px; background-color:#f4f4e9; text-align:center; padding: 15px 0 15px 0; line-height: 19px;"><div class="sflyProductPreviewTitle" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 15px; color: #333333; font-weight: bold;"><span>Bubbles Of Snowflakes Christmas Card</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewSEOText" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>Add one photo or multiple to your <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery/christmas-cards" style="color: #6666cc;">Christmas cards</a> this season.</span></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewViewCollection" style="font-family: arial, sans-seris; font-size: 13px; color: #333333;"><span>View the entire <a href="http://www.shutterfly.com/cards-stationery" style="color: #6666cc;">collection</a> of cards.</span></div><img width="1" height="1" border="0" style="padding: 0; background: #ffffff; border: none; box-shadow: none;" src="https://os.shutterfly.com/b/ss/sflyshareprod/1/H.15/111?pageName=sharekey&c1=msc&c2=blogger" /></div></div><div class="sflyProductPreviewWidgetBottom" style="height:6px; background-image:url(http://cdn.staticsfly.com/img_/share/preview/msc/widget/bottom.gif);"></div></div>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-49084877982866667642012-05-15T14:54:00.001-07:002012-05-15T14:59:16.044-07:00Stuff is a-happenin'I'll start with the good stuff...<br />
So in honor of Lyme Disease Awareness Month, my mother and I have been busy bees creating a website where you can get handmade bottle cap Lyme Disease Awareness necklaces, pins, and key chains! We are all about spreading awareness! Check out our site: <a href="http://site.lymemargaritas.com/" target="_blank">LymeMargarita's Inspirations</a><br />
<br />
Here is the other stuff...<br />
I am sure I am not the only one in financial ruin due to treatment costs...ugh! This of course causes a great deal of stress trying to figure out where the money is going to come from to pay for next week's treatment ($1000/wk). So with great hesitation, I created a Babesia Treatment Fund webpage because it was either reach out for help from my community or claim bankruptcy. I have the most AMAZING family and friends who have been generously donating to my fund. If you find it in your heart to help me in my time of need, I will be forever grateful: <a href="https://sites.google.com/site/sarahsinclairfund/" target="_blank">Sarah Sinclair's Babesia Treatment Fund</a> Thank you and God Bless!<br />
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So, here is my <span style="color: lime;">"Make Margaritas"</span> inspiration for today... <br />
<span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana;">"The first step
in the acquisition of wisdom is silence, the second listening, the third memory,
the fourth practice, the fifth teaching others."</span><b><br /><span style="color: lime; font-family: Verdana;">Solomon Ibn
Gabriol</span></b><br />
<br />
<strong><span style="color: black; font-family: Verdana;"><span style="color: white;">Therefore, my fellow Lymies, in this month of May...go forth and spread</span> <span style="color: lime;">Lyme Disease Awareness!!!</span></span></strong>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-2766120780653900142012-02-02T20:02:00.000-08:002012-02-02T20:02:27.852-08:00Handy little tidbits to make the Lymelife easierI feel like I am becoming a professional at being sick! How pathetic is that?! Well with all professions, there are some tricks to the trade and I want to share what I've learned from my experiences with you:<br />
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<br />
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">1. If you have an iPhone, iPod Touch, or iPad, download the Pillboxie app! It is a Godsend for all Lyme Patients! It was developed by a nurse. It alerts you when to take your medications so you don't have to remember! Genius app for all us Lyme Brains!</div><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><br />
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<tr><td style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlFzYJ8ebjScuBgoBu64R-PzfcYVOsVIkcXzud39cZtUC7UbYKVApBCGubkkxn9M-gvRxroy9rUx3TMIk_ceZ6gltN60p1cmMM_KaxeoGcIFdE19R5NS9MkY2FAaxWHWZddbimPJUKDY/s1600/028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="height: 217px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; width: 303px;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDlFzYJ8ebjScuBgoBu64R-PzfcYVOsVIkcXzud39cZtUC7UbYKVApBCGubkkxn9M-gvRxroy9rUx3TMIk_ceZ6gltN60p1cmMM_KaxeoGcIFdE19R5NS9MkY2FAaxWHWZddbimPJUKDY/s320/028.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The app lets you list all of your medications and what they look like.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrxyNjeNiK9cfFUxsvWl9IffVv2YhVfrz_g0uBa_xRdCqEdMScfTRueeVINI374IqO3W_IjtxbGUQrDE7x6bYKgnIM2tzuZPXv40ofaCYJ5t24eAmQeRHDMQZMUngZzVcD9IPoKPEQvI/s1600/029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrxyNjeNiK9cfFUxsvWl9IffVv2YhVfrz_g0uBa_xRdCqEdMScfTRueeVINI374IqO3W_IjtxbGUQrDE7x6bYKgnIM2tzuZPXv40ofaCYJ5t24eAmQeRHDMQZMUngZzVcD9IPoKPEQvI/s320/029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;"><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">Then you drag the medication in to the time slots when you take them and how many of them you take. You can also set it for the days you take it if it is not a medication you take everyday.</div><br />
<br />
<div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">2. If you have Babesia and have to take Mepron, you know how nasty it tastes! My trick is to use a liquid syringe and shoot it in the back of my throat and then swallow it with a strong tasting juice like Cherry or Cranberry. It works like a charm and I actually do not mind taking Mepron now. I will warn you to NOT try to swallow it with Coke. It made me start to hate the taste of Coke. Juice works much better!</span></div><div align="left"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">3. Like many of you, the Babesia causes me to suffer from severe panic attacks. I have started doing many little things to make myself feel useful and keep my mind from wandering into the deep dark tunnel of despair. </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">a.) I'm sure most of you have heard about Facebook. It can be a good thing and a bad thing. I find it helpful and like an online support group to read the Lyme pages such as: LymeChick, Lyme Disease Awareness and Support, and Infectiously Optimistic. They provide great information about Lyme Disease and are always there to support you with an encouraging word. If you want to read something HILARIOUS, check out this blog by Infectiously Optimistic about Sh*t Lyme Patients Say: </span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;"><a href="http://infectiousoptimism.blogspot.com/2012/01/shit-lyme-patients-say.html" target="_blank">Sh*t Lyme Patients Say</a></span></div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">b.) Pinterest is my new obsession! Check it out if you haven't already! <a href="http://pinterest.com/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> So many great ideas from recipes, crafts, fashion, etc... I have been so inspired lately to make stuff. And I pick easy stuff so I don't get overwhelmed. I do a little bit each day and eventually I've made something beautiful and it gives me the greatest joy and sense of accomplishment! Here is my latest project that was inspired from Pinterest:</span></div><div align="center"></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table> <div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4PZTloj3-yiLyu75oKKmVDULUdzAg1cHA62WLVWJHtJYSq1eVZ8nn4nqkRe8qcAp1X08Z7CscyW-QNYeChJy1Sct1bBiVAYFUnPjRvLeUv5SORseCweS2-CQ4hp8ChVr5nBBQSyCB-o/s1600/025.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4PZTloj3-yiLyu75oKKmVDULUdzAg1cHA62WLVWJHtJYSq1eVZ8nn4nqkRe8qcAp1X08Z7CscyW-QNYeChJy1Sct1bBiVAYFUnPjRvLeUv5SORseCweS2-CQ4hp8ChVr5nBBQSyCB-o/s320/025.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Candle holder made from a mason jar, scrap book paper, and ribbon.<br />
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<div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">c.) Netfilx has come to my rescue! I never watched the show Heroes when it was on TV and the entire series is on Netflix. I'm hooked! My boyfriend and I watch 1-2 episodes per night. It gives me something to look forward to everyday. Your first month is FREE when you sign up and you can cancel before they charge you :) <a href="https://signup.netflix.com/" target="_blank">Netflix FREE trial</a></span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="center"><span style="font-size: small;">d.) I don't know about you, but I couldn't live without music! When I'm having one of those days when I can't get off the couch, I open my iTunes, put my favorite play list on shuffle and let the music do it's magic. I close my eyes, relax, and concentrate on the lyrics.</span></div><div align="center"><br />
</div><div align="left"><span style="font-size: small;">I hope you have found this blog helpful! Don't get me wrong, I still struggle everyday to have a positive attitude but the things I've listed have really made my Lymelife a little easier. So here is my <span style="color: lime;"><strong>"Make Margaritas"</strong></span> inspiration for today (from Pinterest): </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySD_Vo0N4CoIRB-eEs2cGRUkYCMRe4Ai5lOgOVmfL8triWZo7yArE9F0ousXhYc2nXxUx-yzDwumYUjwZSRkK4bwpmKrQoHgAEx0TQw5UfD5jlqfsbx91GPetBsLo15VXExm449nMeg0/s1600/lymequotes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" sda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiySD_Vo0N4CoIRB-eEs2cGRUkYCMRe4Ai5lOgOVmfL8triWZo7yArE9F0ousXhYc2nXxUx-yzDwumYUjwZSRkK4bwpmKrQoHgAEx0TQw5UfD5jlqfsbx91GPetBsLo15VXExm449nMeg0/s320/lymequotes.jpg" width="316" /></a></div><div align="left"></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-24651399562165857992012-01-25T18:15:00.000-08:002012-01-25T18:15:34.935-08:00Struggle, struggle, toil & trouble!<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After my last doctor's visit we decided to increase my Mepron to 2x week. This is a good thing and a bad thing. The good part is that hopefully I will be done with this awful disease by April, as planned. The bad part is that I am REALLY struggling everyday now. Lately, I have had this thought that the act of living is very difficult these days...to wake up in the morning is a battle, to get out of bed and walk to the bathroom is painful, to collect my thoughts as to what I need to accomplish that day makes me cry because I am so exhausted...you get the picture! I am trying to think positively and have hope that this will all be over soon but the hopelessness is winning these days. The thought of having to go back to work makes me hyperventilate because I can't imagine trying to work with the way I feel right now. But my mom and boyfriend keep reminding me that I don't have to go to work right now so I shouldn't worry about it. And I will only go back to work when I am ready. But right now I can't see the light at the end of the the tunnel. I'm lost in the twists and the turns and I feel like I keep bumping into the wall. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana;">I am writing this blog today because I am grasping on to that last shred of hope that this feeling will pass. And I need a written reminder to myself that it is the increase in Mepron that is making me feel so hopeless. The increase in Mepron and crappy feelings are a GOOD thing! It means the end is near! Take it one day at a time and just keep breathing. So here is my "Make Margaritas" inspiration for today: This saying is written on the wall of my IV treatment room </span><span style="color: lime; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: large;"><strong> Accept each day just as it comes to you. Do not waste your time and energy wishing for a different set of circumstances. Instead, trust God enough to yield to His design and purposes.</strong></span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-46596551460860987182012-01-10T18:55:00.000-08:002012-01-10T18:59:15.001-08:00Health and Intellect are the 2 Blessings of Life<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">When I first got diagnosed with Babesia I thought...this really sucks! Well, Babesia just slapped me in the face and said, "You silly girl! You ain't seen nothing yet!" Ever since Christmas, I have taken a turn for the worse. I seriously thought I was beginning to go crazy! I started to become highly emotional, crying at the drop of a hat for no particular reason, and everyday it got increasingly worse. Then I started having days where my brain just wasn't functioning. I couldn't complete a thought, I was dizzy, I lost the ability to drive, I had a dull headache all the time, I was nauseous, and sometimes I felt completely drunk even though I had not had a drop of alcohol! Luckily I had a doctor's appointment scheduled with my Lyme doc and she explained what was happening. Apparently, my Babesia has reached a critical point and is beginning to die off which is causing me to have Hypoxia (deprivation of oxygen to the brain). Therefore, I am NOT going crazy! However, it does mean that my world has been flipped upside down. I am no longer able to work and I have to go in for IV therapy of Zithromax and Antioxidants 2x week. This is causing all kinds of stressors that I am not handling very well despite everything else. With having to take unpaid medical leave for 3 months, how am I going to pay my bills? How do the rest of you do this? Applying for disability can take up to 2 years to get approved!!! So many things are up in the air and not knowing where I am going to get money from is killing me slowly. I break down crying multiple times a day over this and the frustration of not having a fully functional brain right now. The fatigue is so extreme right now I cry because I'm so tired. So, basically everything makes me cry right now. I just feel like a big, fat mess!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">BUT....I've defeated Lyme and I can defeat Babesia too! So here is my <strong>"Make Margaritas"</strong> inspiration for today: </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: lime;"><strong>From the bitterness of disease man learns the sweetness of health. </strong><br />
<strong> - Catalan Proverb </strong></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: black; font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">There is a lesson to be learned from illness and although I haven't quite figured out my personal lesson yet, I will be grateful for the wisdom gained! :)</span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-14896105125317852102011-12-18T22:13:00.000-08:002011-12-18T22:13:24.730-08:00"Fatigue that will bring a grown man to his knees"<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So I remember with Lyme's Disease that I was tired ALL the time, but the kind of fatigue you experience with Babesia is soooo much worse. This type of fatigue will stop you in your tracks and make you drop to the floor...no joke. As my doctor says, "The kind of fatigue you experience with Babesia can bring a grown man to his knees." She was not kidding! I remember the first day it hit me...and I mean literally hit me. I was sitting at my desk at work and all the sudden it was like I was slammed in to a wall. My fingers froze on my laptop and with tears running down my face, I quietly said to my co-worker, "I need help...I can't think anymore." My co-workers were amazing and made sure I made it home okay. It's the type of exhaustion where your brain shuts down and you are done for the day. You instantly become a vegetable and all you can do is lay there in a catatonic like state. Some days are great and I have great bursts of energy, and then there are the days when I can't open my eyelids to save my life. On days when the fatigue is extreme, it takes all my energy just to get up to use the restroom. I can seriously sleep all day and then have no problem sleeping that night. Ahhhh! I hate days like that!!! It makes me feel so useless! But I guess I need to look on the bright side because I am blessed with good days where I kinda forget I have Babesia at all (okay, we all know that's not true! If I didn't have to take a bazillion pills everyday, maybe, just maybe then I could forget...for a second.)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">So here is my "Make Margaritas" inspiration for today:<span style="background-color: black; color: lime;"> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><strong> FALL SEVEN TIMES, STAND UP EIGHT- Japanese Proverb</strong></span> <span style="background-color: #eeeeee; color: black;"><span style="background-color: white;"> Every time, fatigue</span> brings me to my knees, I will stand back up and keep on fighting the good fight! I encourage you to do the same!</span></span></span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-75836976336562948562011-12-13T15:48:00.000-08:002011-12-13T15:48:04.970-08:00"Having that, It's Just Not Fair, wanna stomp my feet, and pout moment"<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">I was having a conversation with a woman, who shall remain nameless, and we were sharing about our lives. We started to, unintentionally, play the Ashley game. What is the Ashley game? It's that game you play when someone says something and the other person says something to one up you...yah, you know what I'm talking about! Why is it called the Ashley game? Well, that's not its technical name but that's what I call it because of a certain roommate I had in college...I think you catch my drift :) Anyway, I rarely talk about my illness because I don't want to bore people with my problems, but we were on the subject and I was telling her how I have been feeling angry because I was cured of Lyme's Disease only to now have to battle Babesia. Having that, It's Just Not Fair, wanna stomp my feet, and pout moment. She then proceeds to tell me that she currently has 6 diseases that she is struggling with. Well fine! She wins! Ummm, what exactly did she win? And why was I feeling defeated? Am I that desperate for pity? Am I alone here? I just want someone, anyone, to validate my feelings!!! To say: "YES, Sarah! It sucks that you were cured of Lyme's Disease and now you have Babesia! You are RIGHT! It is NOT fair! You have every right to be angry and I am sorry!" Is that too much to ask?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">And so here is my "Make Margaritas" inspiration for the moment: </span><br />
<div align="center"><span style="font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: lime;">Ask yourself this question:<br />
<i>"Will this matter a year from now?"</i><br />
<b>Richard Carlson, </b>writing in <i>Don't Sweat the Small Stuff </i></span></span></div>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-23212781979487486922011-12-13T05:39:00.000-08:002011-12-13T15:06:14.205-08:00The Experiment...muahahaha! (Evil Scientist Laugh)<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">This Monday was the first Monday I have been able to wake up and go to work by 8am in 2 weeks!!! In other words, I have a pattern that almost every Monday I have a flair that lasts into Tuesday and most of the time the symptoms are so crippling, I can't work. I don't really know what is so special about this week...it almost doesn't feel real. The only thing I can think of is that I didn't take my Artemisinin on Wednesday because I was still in a flair... I only took it Thursday with my Mepron. So, here is the experiment...this week I am going to try that again and see if makes a difference next week. Okay, okay...I can hear all of you screaming at me. I know I need to talk to my doctor! I just want to see if I get the same results first...then I will call her...PROMISE! Kids, do not try this experiment at home :) I am not advising anyone to try this! There...that is my disclaimer! I just want to function on a daily basis...can I get an AMEN! So here is my "Make Margarita's" inspiration for today: (and I am totally stealing it from LymeChick..thanks!) "Keep a firm grip on faith. The suffering won't last forever." </span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-60490189782784360992011-12-09T11:30:00.000-08:002011-12-13T15:05:35.180-08:00Things that make you go hmmmm.... <span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I was in so much pain and had such extreme fatigue at the beginning of this week all I could do was cry and cry and cry and cry some more. And then magically, I woke up Thursday and felt like I was a brand new person! No pain, no fatigue! WTF?! I don't understand how the heck it does that? When I'm feeling good, I gain all this ground at work and in my social life and then when I get knocked down by the wrecking ball, I could take a good 5 steps backward. Luckily, I have a job that is being super supportive, but there are definitely times that I just want to give up and go on disability.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> I have such high and probably unrealistic expectations of my friends and family when I am going through a difficult time. But it is only because I feel soooo alone, like no one cares and no one understands. Just because I say I can't hang out or I have to cancel plans, doesn't mean I don't like you anymore or that I'm being flakey. No one gets that! The way I feel can change in an instant! I'll be having a good day and then all the sudden I crash with extreme fatigue, or I become achy all over like I have the flu. Trust me, I would much rather be out there having fun with you then sitting at home crying because once again, I don't feel well. And all I ask is that you check in with me every once in a while....really, come on...is that too much to ask of my friends? I cannot tell you how much it means to me when someone asks, "how are you feeling?" OR says, "I've been thinking about you and hope you are doing well" It gives me that little glimmer of hope that I haven't been forgotten. That is truly my biggest fear...that my friends will give up on me because I'm not "Fun Sarah" anymore and they will move on and make new friends who are more fun, not sick, and who don't cancel plans.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> But here is my "Make Margaritas" inspiration for the day...take it one day at time, that is all anyone can do. And you are not alone, even if all of your friends and family have abandoned you, reach out to other Lyme/Babesia patients...we are all struggling right along with you! And most importantly, we can relate to what you are going through! Much Love!</span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4585433775747760876.post-63856522347217606652011-12-07T19:36:00.000-08:002011-12-13T15:04:50.636-08:00The First Squeeze....<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;">Here I go...I'm taking the plunge and hoping that people actually want to read my ramblings about Lyme's Disease and Babesia. So...I guess I should start with my history...I was always sick growing up, especially once I became a Freshmen in High School. They thought I had Lyme's Disease at the time because I had the bulls eye rash, but they could never find evidence of a tick so I was misdiagnosed with the Parvo virus. Later on throughout life I still struggled with random symptoms here and there that could never be explained by any specialists. It wasn't until I had the worst headache of my life and was in the hospital that the puzzle was about to be solved. After the stupid, or maybe I should say ignorant ER doctors could not find the source of my head pain, they sent me home with pain killers. My mother, having being diagnosed with Lyme, took me to her chronic pain doctor and he said, "I'm not the kind of doctor that diagnoses this kind of thing, but with all of your symptoms, it sounds like you have Lyme's Disease like your mother." I was like huh? I had no idea what Lyme was. I went home and looked it up on the Lyme's Disease Association website and balled my eyes out. When I looked at the symptoms page, I printed out the page and circled almost every symptom. This was me! I had Lyme's! I was sure of it. I made an appointment with an Infectious Disease Specialist and he agreed that clinically I had Lyme. Yadda, yadda, yadda...I got divorced and moved to Kansas City and found the AMAZING Dr. "R" and after 3 months of IV therapy I was cured of Lyme! Hooray, right? You're thinking...well this is going to be a short blog! No, this is where the story begins. After being cured of Lyme, 2 years later I was diagnosed with another tick-borne illness...Babesia! Oh lucky, lucky me! So why am I writing this blog, you might ask? For a couple of reasons: 1. A place to vent so I don't go insane 2. To help others going through the same struggles 3. To educate the public </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, "Times New Roman", serif;"> More to come later...</span>LymeMargaritashttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07536247409188466611noreply@blogger.com0