How has Lyme Disease affected your life?
Lyme disease hijacked my health and thinking power. It gave me brain pressure and rage which I used on my teenage children for not picking up their socks, or for wanting to sleep in. I abandoned my 5-acre garden/orchard/pond and retreated indoors to sit in front of Farmville. I gave up my volunteer work because there was no energy left. I lost my career as a technical writer because there were too many memory and cognition problems slowing me down.
My kids lost their college scholarships because they were sick too — and couldn’t keep up. We had to sell our dream home and move in to a fixer-upper.
My husband battled Lyme disease, too, and had ER trips with breathing difficulties. Those were scary times.
We had to fight for a diagnosis, and finagle for treatment, and keep trying until everyone turned the corner and started getting better. Everyone had a different path to wellness. But we hung in there, and pulled together.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by people who have endured great loss — whether by war, illness, disaster, or otherwise — and they are still able to find joy.
Jeremiah 29:11 “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future”