I was diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease in September of 2011, although my journey with this disease began about 5 years prior. I was ill with a variety of symptoms for 5 years, and Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong. For me, my symptoms started off in just one area of my body. I first began having a lot of issues with my GI system and went to a handful of Gastrointestinal specialists. They kept passing me around because all the tests they ran for specific issues were coming back negative. No one knew what it was so I just got labeled with IBS and left at that. My GI symptoms were my very first big issue for me, and they continued to be my biggest problem area throughout my whole journey. Later I began to develop more and more symptoms outside the GI system which started to complicate the picture. I soon began having problems with my blood pressure dropping very low, migraines, difficulty concentrating etc. Once again I saw another round of doctors who told me I just needed B12 injections & I got diagnosed with having POTS. As time went on I had issues with heart palpitations, extreme sensitivity to light and motion, dizziness, fainting, confusion, joint pain, overwhelming food & chemical allergies, more GI issues, trouble with reading/clumsiness, migraines, extreme fatigue, and pain. My symptoms were so spread out it felt like something new happened almost every day that I wasn't able to control. I kept seeing specialists in their field of expertise, but none of them put all the dots together to test me for Lyme disease until September of 2011 when I found an amazing doctor who saved my life. He looked at me as a whole, and put together the puzzle pieces of my 5 year long mystery.
The Lyme disease infection was found late and had spread to many major systems of my body affecting my entire GI system (caused my gallbladder to stop functioning), Adrenal/Pituitary & Hormonal system, and most significantly my Neurological system. When Lyme disease spreads to the brain it is called Neuroborreliosis. In my case my Doctor found some brain damage in a portion of my brain which seems to be caused internally. Neurologically I struggle a lot with visual symptoms such as: hypersensitivity to light, an intolerance to motion (cars, escalators, elevators etc), getting sick from even seeing movement (motion on TV etc), seizures, etc. This disease is very complex and I will be talking a lot about how it effects me on a daily basis. I also contracted a co-infection of Bartonella and Protomyxzoa from the tick when I got bit.
Treatment for Neurological Lyme is quite a process; Some days during treatment will be tough, but some days will be good. This blog will talk about everything; good & bad times, supplements I love, information on the Lyme diet, etc. I look forward to connecting with other patients out there & also educate & keep everyone I loved informed.
My most sincere wish is that this blog can serve as a piece of hope while as it follows me along on my journey to find health again. I'm hoping to keep everyone educated as I try different supplements and treatments that work for me & hopefully they can work for you or someone you love. I have always had an upbeat personality & have learned to make the best of every situation. I want to keep that positive attitude throughout this site, because although we might be dealt a bad set of cards, it does not mean it's time to give up. I hope most of all that this blog can bring the realness of the disease to life for people who may look at me (thinking I'm healthy) and understand on a deeper level what I am truly going through.
God Bless,
Christina
The Lyme disease infection was found late and had spread to many major systems of my body affecting my entire GI system (caused my gallbladder to stop functioning), Adrenal/Pituitary & Hormonal system, and most significantly my Neurological system. When Lyme disease spreads to the brain it is called Neuroborreliosis. In my case my Doctor found some brain damage in a portion of my brain which seems to be caused internally. Neurologically I struggle a lot with visual symptoms such as: hypersensitivity to light, an intolerance to motion (cars, escalators, elevators etc), getting sick from even seeing movement (motion on TV etc), seizures, etc. This disease is very complex and I will be talking a lot about how it effects me on a daily basis. I also contracted a co-infection of Bartonella and Protomyxzoa from the tick when I got bit.
Treatment for Neurological Lyme is quite a process; Some days during treatment will be tough, but some days will be good. This blog will talk about everything; good & bad times, supplements I love, information on the Lyme diet, etc. I look forward to connecting with other patients out there & also educate & keep everyone I loved informed.
My most sincere wish is that this blog can serve as a piece of hope while as it follows me along on my journey to find health again. I'm hoping to keep everyone educated as I try different supplements and treatments that work for me & hopefully they can work for you or someone you love. I have always had an upbeat personality & have learned to make the best of every situation. I want to keep that positive attitude throughout this site, because although we might be dealt a bad set of cards, it does not mean it's time to give up. I hope most of all that this blog can bring the realness of the disease to life for people who may look at me (thinking I'm healthy) and understand on a deeper level what I am truly going through.
God Bless,
Christina
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Nominations & Recognition: |
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Articles
TBDA/Global Lyme Alliance - Meet the creator of Lady of Lyme The LymeLight Foundation - "Lady of Lyme's Christmas Shop" Brighter Side Blog - "Lady of Lyme talks Lyme & Youth" Lyfe Bulb - My Lyme Story IWGN Connect: Spotlight: Lyme Disease Awareness Month Inspirational Woman Of The Month Daily Independent Newspaper - Front Page Feature Story: "Lyme disease fight creates awareness." Mind, Body, Lyme - "The Lyme Interview with Lady of Lyme" Kate Farms - Profile Piece - "How Christina Took Control Of Her Health." Lauren's Hope - "Stories Of Hope: Christina's Story" Daily Independent Newspaper - Front Page Feature Story: "Local woman with Lyme Disease hosts Giveaway." Guest Blog Posts & Articles: Lyme Disease UK - Guest Blog Post "Living In The Now" Pro Health - Guest Blog Post "Is Lyme Disease Curable?" Global Lyme Alliance - What It's Like To Have An Illness No One Believes In LymeDisease.Org - Lyme Times Winter 2016/2017 Magazine "Is Lyme Disease Curable?" The Mighty - Guest Blog Post "When You Can't Remember Life Without Pain" The Mighty - "What Claire Wineland Taught Me About Living Well With Chronic Illness" Allies Everywhere - "How To Be Your Own Best Advocate - Part 1" Allies Everywhere - "How To Be Your Own Best Advocate - Part 2: Creating A Doctor/Patient Relationship" Other Media WSAZ News Channel 3: Lyme Disease Victim Works to Raise Awareness iHeartRadio - The Lyme Disease Interview Lyme Ninja Radio - Podcast Guest Interview |
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Get to know me.. behind the Lyme.
I wanted to take a few words to talk about who I am, as a person, outside of Lyme disease. I love to advocate about this disease, but it doesn't define me as a person. At my very core I am someone who is very talkative and bubbly. I wasn't voted "most talkative" in high school for nothing! I love animals, and I have a little morkie (yorkie/maltese mix) whom I got at 6 weeks old and I consider my child. If I could save every homeless and needy dog out there, I would. I adore all dogs, and it's definitely my biggest soft spot. My passion and ultimate dream job in life is a career in fashion. I was always artsy and had an eye for picking up on colors and trends. I would love to be a trend forecaster one day, and although I had to drop out mid-way through a secondary degree from FIDM and I hope to finish up at my dream school and find that perfect job out there waiting on me. Prior to that I received a B.A in Psychology with a minor in Criminal Justice and I feel incredibly proud and grateful for that degree because I was struggling with my health during my 4 years of college. The study of how the human mind works intrigues me greatly, and I am a big True Crime/Mystery buff! One of my favorite hobbies is photography, specifically of the night sky. Astrophotography has enchanted me for as long as I can recall; all the stars, the Milky Way & the full moon make for stunning backdrops to view. I enjoy crafting and I love holidays... I'm festive and cheesy because it reminds me of my childhood and simple happy times. I always celebrate holidays full force and try to stop and take pause of the little things in life. I'm a big foodie, especially for sweets, and would love to take a food tour of Europe one day (such a daydream). My peace and hope lies in God, and it's Him who has gotten me through every challenge life has thrown at me. There are a lot of things I love, I'm a very passionate person, and it could take all day to list them. But I hope this maybe gave a bit more personal of a perspective of who I am... and it's nice to meet you :)
