This post is both hard to write & exciting at the same time. It's hard because when things change at the drop of a hat it gives me little time to adjust. And I'm the kind of girl who needs to give myself time to accept change. At the same time this whole journey has been kind of on a whim moments so I can't say I'm completely surprised.

My doctor & I made the decision to hold off on the 3rd round of Bartonella treatment & instead begin treating the Lyme disease itself. This decision was not one made easily by me. It was something I prayed about for days & nights on end, and God laid the answer on my lap.

At this point the Lyme disease has infiltrated my brain (neuroborreliosis), my digestive system (resulting in loss of gallbladder function), my endocrine system (adrenals, thyroids, and major hormones), and my balance/visual system. The one place however that Lyme had NOT got to is my nervous system. That was typical of Lyme so I felt blessed it had not spread there. However, last week my right hand began spasms I have never felt before. Constant cramps that left me unable to type or use that hand properly. We ordered blood work in hopes that it was an electrolyte deficiency, but everything looked okay. These spasms also began in my left foot and I knew it wasn't good. I began to pray for an answer. As the spasms didnt stop & went into its 6th and 7th days I knew this was it. The Lyme has infiltrated my nervous system and I will be damned if I let it get any further.

My doctor, (who I can't sing enough praises about) completely had my back in urging and supporting me to table the Bartonella & get to attacking the Lyme itself. Every day & every minute I let this horrible disease manifest inside of me I am doing myself an injustice. I don't regret treating the Bartonella because I honestly do feel markedly better from the 2 rounds. I am thankful I could tackle that to an extent. Also, since this creates antibodies to the pathogens my body will continue to kill off Bartonella even when not actively treating it. So I believe I am a winner in that aspect.

So although I did not mentally plan for Lyme treatment I know I have to just jump in head first and start tackling it. The fear I felt when my felt my muscular system doing things out of my control was indescribable. I refuse to sit here & let this take over my body any longer. In this situation I think determination is overpowering the fear I have, and fueling me to get ready to take it on.

Xoxo,
Christina

Finally I am finished with 2 rounds of the Bartonella treatment! This was a long and grueling process. But I am also so thankful that I got through it. Even though I felt just awful lately and my stomach was bothering me a lot I know it is something that will be well worth it.
As I look back to February/March when I was nauseated 24/7 and had 1 okay day to every 3 weeks of bad days I can see how far I have truly come. My herxes now make it hard to know which is a herx and which is just a treatment issue, but I can see still through it all that I am better off. I feel as if a weight has been lifted off of me. I am starting round 3 (my last round) of Bartonella treatment in a few days after the dust settles.

xoxo,
Christina

This dose was... Interesting. I think that's the right word to describe it. I experienced things I definitely haven't in the past. A lot of sudden onset symptoms that catch me off guard. Two days ago I was fine then felt hot flashes come on. I got up to get an ice pack when I felt like my legs were 100lbs, I got very weak, I felt like I was going to throw up & then everything went white. I was trying to make it up the stairs but was also trying to call for help & figure out what was even happening. It took me all night to recooperate & I felt pretty weak still yesterday. Then last night I had a bought of sudden onset hot flashes & nausea at 3am. Im used to feeling bad, but not used to it hitting without warning so fast. I don't know how to react its like I just freeze.

But I can't change the past, so I'm praying I won't ever have to re-live those moments again. Today I take my last vial of this round. It's very exciting to finish this up, it means I survived! After this I have a third and FINAL round of Bartonella treatment. Thank goodness I'm more than halfway through this journey (with Bartonella).

That's all for now, I hope everyone has a great weekend!

Xoxo,
Christina

So I decided to combine these 2 doses because I didn't want to sound like a broken record. Since my stomach is still wearing me out, that's basically all I would have to say. Friday was terrerrrible, I couldn't so much as move from my bed. I caught up on all my TV shows though, so that's a definite plus!   My neurological symptoms are also flaring these doses. Maybe it means they are on their way out?
Positives: I can take longer very hot showers with less herxing & getting sick, less Bart rashes, & not fainting (or coming close).

Yesterday we had a neighborhood pool party & I am so so sooooo happy I felt good for it. God has impeccable timing. Considering Friday was a complete nightmare, and Saturday was barely better, I thought for sure I would be in bed Sunday too. But much to my surprise I felt wonderful. That is, until about 11pm when everything took a 180. Migraine, fever, chills, nausea. Full fledge herx. But that's what I get for pushing myself during treatment. I have to be extra careful now & remember my body is in constant fight mode, so not letting myself rest could result in a struggle. Regardless, it was worth it to socialize & enjoy everyone's company. It's nice to just get out of my head for a little while. 

I haven't had a chance lately to say thank you to everyone who supports me with kind words & prayers. But even though I don't always say it, I do always feel it. I've always been a firm believer in the power of prayer. And even just having someone tell me "I believe in you, you can do this," is an amazing feeling. It helps me when I get wore out emotionally to remember "you know what, they are right I DO have this." So thank you to everyone. 

Dose 9 tomorrow... Then 1 more left after that. Can not wait

Xoxo,
Christina