Breaking the Silence

Wow! It has been a long time since I sat down to write. Has it really been seventeen months since I posted "Going Green?" The silence has truly been a reflection of my life these many months. My intention was to come home from treatment and return to the hustle and bustle of "life as normal." However, life has been far from normal. Instead, I feel like I have been turned inside out. It has been a time of waiting, listening, learning, and digging deep. In the midst of it all, I have learned many things about myself, my faith and how difficult it is to regain one's health when fighting chronic lyme disease. There is SO MUCH I want to write about in this blog, but it would be overwhelming to write or read. For now, I will update you on my medical progress, and reserve all of the many details and "lessons" I am learning for future entries.

My treatment in Reno was very helpful. The treatment was an intense "jump-start" toward recovery, and a HUGE part of reversing the tide. I am not sure where I would be had I not received those weeks of treatment. After treatment, the fibromyalgia pain and numbness were gone, and I was extremely thankful!! It was so encouraging to see improvement and signs of hope. However, before I left Reno, they told me, "You are much improved, but you are still fighting lyme disease"..... and they were right. Although I had seen progress, within days of returning home, I was struggling with flu-like symptoms, lymphnode pain, fatigue, headaches, stomach issues, night sweats, insomnia and extreme weakness. The entire summer feels like a blurr. I could hardly get out of bed on most days. It took everything I had just to prepare meals. It became very clear...this was going to be a longer road than I had expected.

As I struggled with these symptoms, I began searching for a local doctor and discovered two things: most lyme doctors were not taking new patients and none of the doctors (and many treatments) were not covered by insurance. I wasn't sure where to turn. I was having difficulty finding a lyme specialist, and feeling pretty desperate. However, God (who specializes in the impossible) was there and in retrospect, I can see how He has guided me each step of the way. In the midst of uncertainty, I am so thankful I have had a place to turn. A place to trust when I didn't know the way.

While I waited and searched for a local doctor, I continued my detox regimen of juicing, colonics and sauna. In addition, I continued acupuncture, stayed in close contact with Dr. Fong (through phone consultations) and gave myself injections prescribed by Dr. Fong's practice. I also tried Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT) a few times. (It is effective against lyme....but it is cost prohibitive and not covered by insurance...sound familiar?) Oh yea, and I rested, and rested some more. I became one with my bed.... I was so weak; it was all I could do. While I rested, to keep myself amused, I read all the books I could find on lyme and the immune system. I learned so much. Some of the books I read have proven to be crucial in helping me navigate through this crazy thing called, "recovery."

Last fall, I was finally able to begin seeing several different local doctors who continued to help me put the pieces of the puzzle together, and I am feeling so much better these days. I have to say, it did get worse before it got better, and I am not completely back to "normal." However, I am able to take care of my family, work one day a week and feel strong enough to participate in family activities. It is wonderful!!!

I will write about the details of the last year next time. Now that I am feeling better, I plan to write much more often. I feel like I still have a story tell, and so much to share....

For now, I want to close by thanking everyone who has helped me get through these difficult months. We have had help with everything from childcare, meals, transportation to dr. appts., house cleaning, shoveling snow, carpooling to school and activities to financial help. I cannot say enough "thank yous" to equate the love and support we have received! I specifically want to say, "thank you," to Susan Beckworth, Laurel Jenkins, Amy Little, Angel Voggenreiter, Kathy Drago, Debbie Tritle and Julie Villa for organizing a silent auction, as well as other events (book sale, creative memories party, ect..) to raise money to help offset our expenses. It was a tremendous amount of work! I was so touched by your willingness to give of your time and energy!!! THANK YOU!! Also, thank you to all of the donors who donated your services, items, trips and food to be auctioned! Lastly, thank you to everyone who attended the auction as well as the other events! I am truly amazed!

As if all of this was not enough....there is more! I have the most incredible friends in the world! These same ladies also sent letters to their family and friends and shared my story. The response was an outpouring of prayer and love! During those dark days of summer, day after day, I was encouraged as I opened cards and received encouragement and financial gifts from so many friends, neighbors and people across the country whom I have never met! It was a daily dose of hope! I was so humbled that you would take the time to write and encourage me. Words truly cannot describe how you ministered to me in my time of need. Those cards have been read over and over again. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for being an instrument of love, hope and encouragement.

Until next time...

Ronda