First week and counting....

Hello everyone! I made it through my first week! It has been overwhelming and busy with every test imaginable as well as multiple meetings with the doctors and staff. However, I am starting to feel more familiar with everything and adjusted to the routine as well as the city of Reno. I am learning more about all of the IV treatments and medications and very hopeful that they will help me. Not only are they treating the lyme, they are looking at every other possible contribuatory factor to my health concerns. I have wanted someone to tell me what is going on in my body, and I have hope they will help me find some answers.

They have confirmed that the lyme is effecting my central nervous system. They told me that my heart appears healthy, and my cardiac symptoms are due to lyme damaging the nerves to the heart. Either way....it isn't a good thing for my heart. I am glad I am doing this sooner rather than later. It is also the reason for my insomnia and joint pain (I had assumed was due to exercise, running, and age). They are messing with my brain and nervous system! They also showed me a sample of my blood under a high-powered microscope. I was able to see the actual lyme spirochetes swimming around my red blood cells, and the cyst or eggs they have layed in my red blood cells. It was very crazy to actually see them!!! I wanted to reach through the screen and get rid of them!

In addition, they have told me I am allergic to sulfer and "sensitive" to some of the meds they put in the IV therapy. Interesting.....I wonder how many more trips I would have made to the ER due to reactions to medication! I guess my body was telling me something a few weeks ago. The doctor was very kind as she explained all of this to me. She said, "we will just have to treat you very special." I think that is code for being a difficult patient!! It isn't the first time I have been told...I am difficult!

The first three days I was given IV's for the purpose of detox. I have been told that lyme thrive when there are toxins in your body, and if you want to destroy them, you must first destroy the environment in which they thrive. In addition, I took shots that introduce oxygen into your body. Lyme are anaerobic and they die in the presence of oxygen. It is all very interesting!

I have definitely entered the world of needles, and my veins are wondering what is going on! I have learned about rolling veins and veins I didn't even know I had! On the second day...I didn't listen closely enough to the nurses instructions and a needle went through the vein and fluid from the IV went into the tissue. I learned that lesson the hard way....when they say, "be still," they mean it!

I have met many wonderful people who are also patients. Many of them have lyme disease as well, and it is incredible to hear their stories. I am sure you will be hearing about some of the stories as time goes on. They are inspiring and give me alot of perspective.

I forgot to mention in my first entry that Raegan (my four-year-old daughter) came with me to Reno. Chris, my husband, and I felt she was too young to be away from "mommy" for such a long period of time. Chris, Raegan and I made the trip together, and Chris has been an incredible help getting settled this week. I could not have made it without him. My dear friend, Amy, has kept Seth for me this entire week so he could stay in school. (Thank you Amy!!) Chris left this morning to go back home and pick up Seth. He will stay with Seth at home for the remainder of my treatment....making occassional departures for work. He will probably make a trip out toward the end of treatment and bring Seth with him. I will miss them sooo much! A few friends and my mom are scheduled to come and help me with Raegan when Chris is not here. I will definitely need the help, and I look forward to the company.

Overall, I am doing well. I am just very tired and feel "fluish" today. I did not sleep last night (even with sleeping aids), and that makes the day more difficult. However, Raegan is keeping me laughing with her singing and dancing and she is being very patient as I write. The first few days were hard for her, but she has is falling into a routine and seems very content to be with her mommy (she just typed mommy for me). I am going to go rest now. Thanks again for your love, prayers and concern! It means the world to me!

Ronda & Raegan