Lady of Lyme
  • Blog
  • Shop
  • About
  • Products I Love
    • Supplements & Meds
    • Makeup & Skincare
    • Food & Diet
    • Apps & Organization
    • Gift Guides
  • Resources
    • Symptoms/Resources
    • Lyme Vocabulary
    • Printables
    • Books & Reading
  • Features
  • Testing
  • Contact
  • Treatment Info
    • DesBio Treatment Facts
    • My Treatments
    • Treatment Blog

2017 WeGo Health Awards: Best In Show - Blog

8/17/2017

2 Comments

 
I am excited to announce that I have been nominated for the WEGO Health "Best In Show: Blog"
in the 6th Annual WEGO Health Awards!

WEGO Health is a mission-driven company connecting healthcare with the experience, skills,
and insights of patient leaders. They are the world’s largest network of patient leaders,
working across virtually all health conditions and topics. Click here to learn more about their Patient Network.

The WEGO Health Awards were created to celebrate those who tirelessly support the mission
of WEGO Health: to empower the patient voice. With 16 award categories, the WEGO Health
Awards are the only awards across all conditions and platforms, that recognize the over 100
thousand inspiring Patient Leaders who raise awareness, share information, and support their
communities, but often without recognition.

For me personally, it means everything to be nominated. I love to advocate, I love to share my life with this community, and I love to help others in any small way. THANK YOU truly for those who nominated me this year, it is genuinely an honor.

I’m now looking to my incredibly supportive network to help endorse me for this award. There
are two easy ways to endorse that only take seconds of your time!
1) You can click on my endorsement badge below:

2) Click HERE to be taken to my WEGO Health Awards profile where you can click “Endorse”
under my nominee photo

If I have ever supported you, made you laugh, or inspired you to keep fighting, please consider endorsing me for this award.

Xoxo,
Christina

2 Comments

A Story Of My Life: Meet Macy

8/2/2017

1 Comment

 
If the story of your life were a movie, what are the moments you can look back on and say, "that was the exact minute my life changed forever?" We all have them. They are moments which feel insignificant at the time, but later create such a giant ripple in our lives that it is forever changed. Today, I'd like to share one of my moments with you. 

Disclaimer: if you have a furry friend, grab a tissue. Or two. Or a box. 

I remember the day so vividly. It's interesting how lasting memories can replay like a movie in your mind, so full of detail that you can almost feel it. I remember what I wore, I remember the smells, I remember the music in my car, and most of all I remember how I felt. 

It was September of 2007 and my sophomore year of college had just begun. I had gone with my cousin to go "look" at a puppy which we were considering adopting. I use quotation marks because anyone who is an animal lover knows that "looking" almost always equals "taking home." I naively thought I could accomplish this task, and arrived to meet the puppies with 0 supplies and 0 plans. When I walked into the room where the puppies were I immediately realized I was in way over my head. The pups were about 6 weeks old, very shy and cowering to their mom. I climbed into the caged area, sat down, and one brave soldier left the pack to waddle over to me. She climbed on my legs, plopped down, looked up at me with her big brown eyes, and my heart exploded. This moment is my life changing moment. In this exact second I knew I would not be leaving without her. Sure enough she came home with us that night, was bestowed the name 'Macy,' and proceeded to steal my heart.
Picture
Macy: 6 weeks old
We stumbled through the puppy years together one chewed shoe and false alarm vet visit at a time. One time Macy chewed the leather shoelace off my Sperry shoes (unbeknownst to me), and when it came out the other end it looked exactly like a worm. With panic and fear we took the stool sample and Macy to the nearest vet only to have the tech tell us through laughter that it was a shoelace. It was too funny to even be embarrassing. I was an alarmist pet parent, and if you're wondering, nothing has changed. 10 years later I'm still worrying about her every move. 

I felt completely out of my element during her first year of puppyhood. I didn't know if I would be cut out to be a dog mom. I felt inadequate in every way, navigating full time college, a part time job, and of course, my slowly failing health. See, back then I didn't know what was ahead of me. All I knew was that my stomach was rebelling against me, my fatigue made me miss classes, and my desperation to hide it from the people around me felt isolating. But no matter how much I tried to hide my pain to the outside world, Macy always knew. She would nuzzle her tiny warm body on my chest and let me know that it would be OK. In those quiet lonely moments I had her companionship, and suddenly I felt so much less alone.

Picture
Two days in college when I couldn't get out of bed. She was always there.
As the years passed her steadfast loyalty was with me through every single life change. I moved quite a few times throughout college, and with each new apartment she instantly made it feel like home. My senior year was my hardest year. I was on my 4th year of college, and my 3rd year of searching for answers to my ailing health. My symptoms were becoming so unmanageable that almost nightly I would call my mom at 2am sobbing on my bathroom floor. My world was crumbling around me, and no one could tell me why. I felt hopeless and I felt terrified. Graduation day came, and it should have been the happiest day of my life. However I almost missed it due to extreme air hunger, fatigue, and other baffling symptoms. You have to understand that as a former healthy person with NO diagnosis and NO doctor explanations it was all foreign to me. All these absurd symptoms like air hunger didn't yet have a name. I just felt like I couldn't get air, like I couldn't breathe properly, and I was gasping for oxygen. Utter terror. Petting Macy was my form of therapy. It was a way to quiet my anxiety, and feel a semblance of peace. If you have ever known the love of a dog, you will understand. Their love is so pure. It's so selfless, so giving, and it physically gave life back into my dwindling body. Looking back now I know without a shadow of a doubt that I could not have made it through college without Macy. She was my lifeblood, and my source of strength. In my darkest moments, she was there. On my most isolated days, she shared the quietness and gave me peace.

After I graduated college, I made the decision to continue my education and make the move across the country to Los Angeles. I had to leave Macy behind, and honestly, that was one of the hardest things I ever had to do. Walking away from her furry face that day is forever burned into my memory. My heart shattered, and for the first time I was truly alone. During this semester of school my health deteriorated quickly. Much more quickly than it ever had before. I was frantically seeing top doctors at world renowned clinics like the House Ear Institute, and seeing top Neurologists and Cardiologists all across Los Angeles. My weight plummeted to 89 pounds, I was deeply exhausted, and I was a shell of myself. During Thanksgiving my mom, grandmother and cousin surprised me by showing up for the holiday (my dad was already with me), and they brought Macy! Instantly my soul became filled with immeasurable joy. I knew how much I needed her, and during that time in my life I was especially struggling without her comfort by my side. After the holiday I had to move my life back to Kentucky, because my health just got that bad. I switched to online education, packed my bags, and my full time job became traveling to Doctors & having endless tests ran. Through this all, Macy was by my side.

Picture
Left: My mom had this painting made of Macy when I moved to California without her. Right: When she came to visit for Thanksgiving
Macy was with me when I got diagnosed, she was with me when I moved home and became bed bound, and she's been with me during every peak & valley since. You see, that life altering moment when I met eyes with her in 2007 I had no idea how much I would need her. I had no idea then the hardships life would throw at me, and the source of strength she would become. I believe that she is a little guardian angel God brought into my life at the exact right time. I know it might sound dramatic to say, but she saved my life. This disease has thrown me into the pits of depression; into times when I had no will to live. But Macy's silent love, her snuggles, her cold nose on my cheek and her deep brown eyes kept me going. She put a piece of joy into my life when I felt like the world was black. And that is something which I am eternally grateful for.
Picture
Left: The best snuggler. Right: Guarding my I.V
Macy is half of my whole heart. And as I celebrate her 10th birthday today, I am overcome with gratefulness. I thank God each day that He put this ball of fur into my life. As I reflect over the memories and life changes we've been through over the last decade (wowza), I'm reminded that any moment can be another "life changing" moment. I don't even want to imagine my life had I not made that trip to "look" at some puppies. Because that day altered my life in the best way possible. On that day in September 2007 I no longer had to go through life alone and afraid. I gained a partner in crime and a best friend who would protect me, guide me, and love me unconditionally. 

Happy 10th Birthday to my little dumpling. I love you more than words can express.

Picture
xoxo,
Christina

1 Comment

Things I Love

7/27/2017

2 Comments

 
Picture
I love the smell of cinnamon rolls on a Sunday morning, and the sound of paws on hardwood floor.
I love stargazer lilies, the smell of popcorn, and the first sip of a vanilla latte.
I love the feeling of crawling into bed with fresh sheets, colorful sunsets, and when you can notice that the seasons are changing.
I love the feeling of an ocean breeze, my dogs eyes, old pictures, and peacock feathers.
I love animal footprints in the snow, discovering old letters, and genuine laughs.
I love ice cold tea and steaming hot coffee; I love a bouquet of Mylar balloons.
I love the feeling of discovering a new audiobook, foreign coins, antique jewelry, and fluffy clouds on a Spring day.
I love a dog's wagging tail, a cat's rough tongue, sprinkles, and the sand between my toes.
I love my mom's laugh, and my dad's jokes; I love my brother's smile when he pets a dog.
I love stargazing in the night sky, stained glass cathedrals, the feeling of silk, and giving a gift.
I love receiving a handwritten note, sparklers, a basket of shiny ornaments, and the smell of a fresh cut Christmas tree.
I love watching people's eyes when they make a wish, blue topaz, a thrilling mystery, and fortune cookies.
I love the smell of tennis balls, the crinkle of a new bible, fireworks, and escaping into a good book.
I love stories from my parent's childhood, colorful embroidery, waffle cones, and the gentle sigh of my dog when she's content.
I love double rainbows after a heavy rainstorm, fleece on cold skin, and otters who hold hands when they swim.

But most of all, I love my family, I love my friends. I love my life.

Xoxo,

Christina

2 Comments

Lyme Disease Awareness Month Summary & a GIVEAWAY!

6/4/2017

0 Comments

 
As Lyme Disease Awareness Month comes to a close I wanted to compile all the various things I shared across social media in one place. There were so many wonderful things going on all over to raise awareness, and as the voices grow each year I feel more confident that together we can enact change.

Lyme Loonies: Daily Cartoons & Illustrations

During May I tweeted daily cartoons and illustrations that speak to what Lyme Disease is, and how it affects patients (see thread). These were all illustrations from the hilarious and incredibly talented cartoonist David Skidmore. I met David many years ago and we became fast friends. I adored his illustrations from their inception, and I loved watching them go from a few cartoons on twitter to becoming a full book titled "Lyme Loonies." The title is a tongue in cheek joke of what one IDSA Doctor called Lyme patients. His book has been a massive hit, and if you don't own it yet I sincerely encourage you to pick up a copy on Amazon HERE. You can follow David's work on his Facebook page, HERE. Below is a slideshow of the illustrations I shared on twitter, and they were all taken from his book Lyme Loonies, which is chock full of hilarious and spot on cartoons. Thank you to David for allowing me to showcase his talent during the month of May!

Lyme Disease Challenge

More than 300,000 people will contract Lyme Disease each year, and yet the common two tier testing methods (ELISA & Western Blot) are less than 50% accurate. We desperately need proper testing to stop this epidemic from growing. I took the Lyme Challenge! If anyone else did the Lyme challenge I would LOVE to see it! Please leave a link to your post in the comment section below :)

Giveaway!

As May comes to a close I wanted to do a little giveaway for everyone who has been with me, following along and sharing this journey. So, I put together a prize pack (worth $130), and you can enter to win below! The contest is open June 1st-15th (2017). The winner will be announced here & also will be contacted via email for their mailing address. This is only open to U.S participants.
Picture
Lady of Lyme Prize Pack ($130 value)

LymeDisease.Org Billboard

For Lyme Disease Awareness Month I partnered up with LymeDisease.Org for their billboard campaign. This billboard ran during May in Kentucky & was hopefully a useful tool in informing the public about Lyme Disease on a larger scale. Thank you so much to LymeDisease.Org!
Billboard
If you did any kind of Advocacy during May, whether its the Lyme Challenge, a blog post, interview, photo etc I would genuinely LOVE to see it. Please do share a link in the comment section below so myself, and others reading will all be able to see it!

xoxo,
Christina

0 Comments

A Big THANK YOU!

3/12/2017

10 Comments

 
GLA CheckThis photo is the epitome of what an "invisible illness" is. It was taken while battling through pancreatitis, right after I had my IV removed. You'd never know..
I want to sincerely thank everyone who purchased items from the Christmas Shop! Although this is long overdue, here is the confirmation that the funds were received, and I wanted to share with everyone that we raised over $500 for Global Lyme Alliance! This is a victory and accomplishment for everyone who helped by purchasing items, sharing the link, or wearing a shirt in support! I'm very grateful, and I hope to do more fun things for awareness in the future.

xoxo,
Christina

Picture
The letter of received funds from GLA. *The letter denotes the funds received 12/31/16 for tax purposes, because the sales came mostly from the 2016 calendar year. However, the check was sent in January when the shop closed
10 Comments

Announcing: Christmas Awareness Shirts! And A Giveaway!

11/15/2016

0 Comments

 
Picture
I designed and created some Christmas themed Lyme Awareness shirts! And boy, does that sentence feel good to type out. These shirts were a project which began before September, and the whole ride was a roller coaster. I am so thankful to say that in the end it all worked out and they are officially up for sale, and are available in every size from Baby all the way up to Adult! The whole family can match in these tees (or sweatshirts), and there are also mugs, aprons, totes as well as a doggy pet bandana available HERE. Also, take note because there are shop coupons at the top of the page which can save you money!
Picture
I have wanted to create a shirt for Christmas-time for many years. My reason for wanting a Christmas tee is because the holidays tend to be a tough time for those struggling with a chronic illness like Lyme Disease. It is also a time where many people come together for holiday parties and events, so I saw a need for a shirt which was mainly Christmas themed, but still gave a nod to Lyme Disease Awareness as well. I wanted the design to convey hope, and to also convey the spirit of Christmas. I had a visual where the whole family could match in these (like the matching Christmas pajamas), so having a cohesive design for men and women both was a must. This was a tall order, and I began sketching and pondering ideas before September, thinking I had plenty of time to get it all done. Little did I know that digital printing comes with it's own sets of challenges, including a difficulty with printing the color lime green onto a red shirt. Thankfully, the design team at Spreadshirt (the company I am working with) were incredible, and spent 2 weeks perfecting the color for me. They did test prints and tweaked it until everything printed just right. It was such a relief, and even when I felt like it might not work, they reassured me that they would find a way. So, many many thanks to the Spreadshirt design team!
Picture
100% of the profits from these items will go directly to the Global Lyme Alliance, which is a 501(c) charity. I will be providing proof of donating to those who purchased items, because it's very important for me to be transparent, as I have found some instances where sites claim items go to charity when in fact they do not. I have been working with a member of the Junior Board at Lyme Alliance in partnership, and have a lot of hope that these will aid in some small way to help further their research for a cure.
Picture
Because of the time crunch and all the hiccups along the way I wasn't able to create a design for other Holidays, but I hope to be able to do so next year. These Christmas items will be available from now until the end of the year, and they ship WORLDWIDE!

I will also be doing a giveaway for those who purchase any of the items in the shop! If you bought an item then please fill out the form below. Signify if you need Mens/Womens and which size. I will be giving away 3 bonus shirts to 3 winners, which will be chosen at random from Rafflecopter. The winners bonus shirt will be shipped out the week of Christmas. I will simply contact you at the email you provided and ask for proof of purchase (just keep a screen shot of your order confirmation page) and ask you for your address where you would like the shirt shipped. Again, there will be 3 winners!

    Christmas Raffle! (For Those Who Purchased Items Only)

Submit
I want to thank everyone for taking the time to check these shirts out, and I hope that you love them! I look forward to hopefully designing more Holiday shirts in the years to come, and thank everyone for their support.

xoxo,
Christina

0 Comments

5th Annual WeGo Health Activist Awards

9/27/2016

2 Comments

 
Hello hello! It's time again for the WeGo Health Activist Awards, and I really mean it when I say I feel honored and humbled that I was nominated this year by some kind individuals. Getting the email that I was a nominee for not one, but two categories was beyond touching! So, thank you! Now that the nominations are announced you can "Endorse Me" if you feel you also agree. It's a bit like a nod saying "Oh yes, I feel that way too!" You can click either of the below badges, and it simply requires your name and email to vote/endorse, and can be done without leaving this page.

If however you would like to view my full nominee page, you can do so by clicking "Here" and you can also vote there as well; whichever place is most convenient!

Thank you again to everyone who reads Lady of Lyme, and follows my journey, encourages me, educates me, and those who keep fighting along side of me. I promise to always be here and be a patient advocate until my last breath when I am old and gray.

xoxo,
Christina

2 Comments

Some Awareness & Media During The Month Of May

6/1/2016

5 Comments

 
During May I did a few things, I spoke to a few media outlets, and if you'd like to listen/read to any of it I have attached and linked them here. I am so grateful for the platforms given to me to help spread awareness about Lyme Disease, and get the message out about to stay protected when going outdoors. I can't emphasize enough how much I don't want to make these things about me, but about the message. I always loved the saying, "Turn a mess into a message," and that's all I hope to do.

I did a morning radio show (which is linked above in video form) and it was streamed on iHeartRadio via iHeartMedia, so thank you immensely to them for giving it a large reach because friends and family all over the country could tune in to listen to it, and that was incredible. The whole interview was about 25 mins long so I had to scale it down to 10 mins to link it (if you hear any sound breaks, that's why). If you know me, then you know I'm pretty shy by nature and I don't claim to be a great public speaker. But I gave it my best go :) I'm very appreciative for the opportunity, thank you to everyone who made it possible

Picture
Another thing I did was speak with The Daily Independent newspaper, and they blew me away when they put the story on Lyme Disease front and center in full color. I was utterly shocked, and humbled, and also very grateful for their kindness. If you'd like, you can read the interview HERE.

I spoke to a third publication, The Herald Dispatch, and they also did a feature piece on Lyme Disease and prevention. However as a quick side note, the article also spoke to an Infectious Disease Doctor who says the tick must be attached for 48 hours minimum to spread Lyme Disease, and this is FALSE. I have known countless individuals (easily over 40+ patients) who had ticks attached for as little as an hour or two and got Lyme or other tick borne illnesses. That's important to note, because some facts weren't quite right (It's Geranium oil, not Gardenia oil that repels ticks), but I am still very thankful that they chose to share about Lyme Disease. You can read that story HERE.


Thank you to everyone for your support, for reading, for educating, and for sharing this journey with me.

xoxo,
Christina


5 Comments

A 4 Year Reflection

9/23/2015

7 Comments

 
"I can't be the only one.."

Those were some of the first words I uttered when I learned that I had picked up Lyme disease from my small hometown in Kentucky. I was not an outdoorsy person what so ever, so I knew that if I could get bit by a tick and get the disease then there was no telling how many other people were floating around out there misdiagnosed or undiagnosed much like myself. My hometown is a small town. It's the kind of place where everyone pretty much knows everyone else either directly or through a friend. It is not a large city. It is not a northeastern city. But since ticks don't understand state lines, they found their way into Kentucky (and all 50 states); a concept which many Doctors blatantly ignore. The city I live in has a lot of deer due to all the woodsy areas nearby. I can look out my window on any given fall day and see a deer just casually strolling through the yard, and I live in a fully developed quaint neighborhood; not out on a farm.

Prior to being diagnosed with Lyme disease I had never heard of it before in my life. Yes, you read that correctly, I did not even know something called Lyme disease existed; that's how uninformed I was. In September of 2011 when my Doctor delivered the news that I, Christina, avid disliker of grass and general outdoors had Lyme Disease I stared at him with confusion. Upon processing the information I realized if I could get it, then I can't be the only one in my small hometown. I hoped that by a freak coincidence I was bit by the only Lyme carrying tick in the area, but alas I knew that was incredibly unlikely.

My first order of business in May of 2012 was speaking to our local newspaper who so kindly ran an interview with me on the front page where I spoke about Lyme disease existing in the area. I felt like I HAD to get the word out, because it terrified me that everyone was living their lives uninformed, not taking tick checks seriously. The following year a local news station with an even greater reach came to do a TV interview warning people that Lyme disease exists in the tri-state, and more so that it can become a chronic condition. If I could have stood on a mountaintop and yelled "LYME IS HERE" I certainly would have.

The following year I did an interview/piece with a local TV station. After the TV interview I started to meet a lot of others who also were ill with Lyme disease and lived very close by. My worst fear was coming true as I read email after email that said things like, "I have a cousin who has Lyme disease," or "I know a friend who is sick with the same symptoms as you and I think it might be Lyme," and the worst of all, "I too live locally and after many years of sickness and misdiagnosis I was diagnosed with Lyme disease." This wasn't even counting the number of people my parents encountered when they went out in town and someone stopped them to say they saw me on the news and personally were touched by Lyme themselves (either a friend, family member, acquaintance etc). If the reach of this disease could be THAT large in such a small town then I knew the global reach must be astronomical. What an eye opening experience that week was.

I recently learned of another local woman my age who after many years of misdiagnosis had learned she was fighting Lyme disease. Although she moved away from home in recent years to pursue her dreams (much like myself), it was just another 'tick' on the growing number of locals who picked up Lyme disease in this sleepy little town.

Lyme is here. But my town and my story can be switched out with just about any town name in America and the story would fit just the same. A town where no one knew to be careful, where no one thought to pursue their flu like symptoms and demand their Doctor screen for Lyme disease.

It has been 4 years since I was diagnosed, and I take pause to look around at how much the conversation has grown about Lyme disease since 2011. I used to be a taboo; I used to feel like that strange girl everyone looked at with the random disease. But the voices are growing as more people get ill and demand that something be done to stop it. This epidemic can go on no longer, because it has invaded every quiet quaint town from high up north to way down south. Enough is enough.

My greatest prayer is that in the next year the conversation will continue to evolve even more. I hope that I can sit here 1 year from now writing about news that testing has improved, or that the CDC and IDSA came to their senses and acknowledge the scope of what this disease has become. But in the same breath I know a year from now my heart will be that much heavier with the burden of knowing how many more people both locally & globally are receiving a diagnosis that will change their lives.

The time to speak out about Lyme disease is the present, and as larger news stations and websites begin to share I hope that the message gets conveyed sooner and sooner, BEFORE someone gets bit by tick because they aren't wearing a repellent, BEFORE someone ignores the tell tale symptoms, and most importantly BEFORE it becomes a chronic condition.

xoxo,
Christina




7 Comments

3 Year Anniversary.... of diagnosis

9/29/2014

9 Comments

 
As I sit here looking at my computer screen I have a lot of emotions all jumbled up in my head; gratitude, uncertainty, joy, disappointment, thankfulness. Today marks 3 years since my diagnosis. It strangely feels like it was just yesterday, because I can still feel all the range of thoughts that I went through. My immediate feeling was relief to have an answer after 5 years of searching through 100's of Doctors. My delayed reaction was fear and uncertainty as I started to question and investigate what exactly Lyme disease was. After that followed denial. I was in denial that this could possibly be my life, and that I would have to fight this battle that I read about on other peoples blogs. Lyme disease felt like it was bigger than me. Everyone said they had to quit school, give up their jobs, leave their friends, and I fought against all of that. I thought how unfair this disease was, and resented that I even got diagnosed. Many months passed with this mentality, and I was resistant to moving home. I didn't want to face the music. I didn't want to lose the people I loved the way I knew I would when this disease would make me bed bound. It just felt too surreal.

After fighting a long mental fight my body ultimately won when it gave up on me and I called my parents weeping and asking them to please come get me and take me home. This period began the feelings of exhaustion and feeling like a failure. I felt guilt, sadness and at times anger. Accepting this illness is a hard thing to do, and coming to terms with the new path for life was one that only happened for me because of my relationship with God. Once I began to understand that His plan for my life is the ultimate plan and that he is in control, things started to shift. I began to see the glass half full. I realized how lucky I was to be diagnosed and to have a Doctor who is so incredibly knowledgeable. I realized that each day I fought I was moving closer to healing, and that I just needed patience (something I was not used to). I realized that people exit our lives for a reason, and that once they served their purpose they phase out, and all we can do is look back fondly on what they taught us. I realized that although it was hard to give up my independence and move home with my parents I am so utterly grateful for this time I got to spend with them. Being a teenager I took that for granted, and as adults we don't really get to spend much time with our family because of work and life being chaotic. Being in my mid-twenties and spending these years with my parents is something I will be able to cherish forever (as corny as that sounds).

These 3 years since I was diagnosed I went on a journey both physically and mentally. I matured a lot in my understanding of the world, and I don't think that would have happened if I was living my life the way I was. I am a people-pleaser and I lived by catering to other people's needs. Forcing me to move home with an illness out of my control made me stop and focus on myself. It taught me patience, it taught me to take care of my own needs, and it brought me so much closer to God. There is no way that anyone is the same person after they fight a chronic illness, because it does change you. I believe it changes people for the better, because I found a strength in myself that I did not know existed. I always saw myself as someone who was weak, and this showed me that I am so much stronger than I ever imagined. And when you realize your own inner strength it takes away a lot of the fears in the world. You look at the world and think, "there is nothing I can't handle after this." And that's exactly how I feel as I sit here today. Nothing can scare or deter me from chasing after what I want. I refuse to see these 3 years as something to be sad about because of how hard it's been. It's all in the eye of the beholder, and how you view your battle is something that can make or break you.

So I am choosing to celebrate this milestone. Often times when you are sick you feel like until you are well and healed that you don't have anything to celebrate. And that is simply not true. Getting a diagnosis is incredibly tough, so if you have one then you already won the biggest prize of them all, because it means you can get your life back. With a diagnosis in your hands you can alter your life and have symptom relief to look forward to. How amazing is that? Yes, this journey is hard. Yes, this journey is long. No this journey is certainly not easy. But now I can fight for my life because I know what I am fighting against. And that is a blessing that deserves endless amounts of celebration.

Here's to 3 years, and I will fight for as many more as it takes. This disease might try to take my body, but it can not take my soul and will to reclaim the life that it stole.

xoxo,
Christina

9 Comments
<<Previous

    Enter your email address to subscribe to new posts:


    Follow @ladyoflyme


    Follow Lady Of Lyme (@ladyoflyme)

    10.2k Followers, 618 Following, 51 Posts - Follow (@ladyoflyme)


    Categories

    All
    Crohn's
    Educational Posts & Info
    Gift Guides
    Giveaways & FREE Resources
    Health/Life Updates
    Interviews & Features
    Lyme Awareness
    Quiz & Polls
    Reflective Thoughts
    Things About Me

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    March 2022
    March 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    September 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    April 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    March 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    March 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011

© 2011 Lady of Lyme™. All Rights Reserved.

Terms and Conditions  - Privacy Policy
Connect with me:
Facebook
Twitter
Contact   About   Email Me


Lady of Lyme is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.