Taking The Good With The Bad

I hope every one's holidays were fun-filled and Santa brought you what you all wanted.  I did have a rather relaxing Christmas break.  I am learning more and more how to balance my time and energy.  Eating better, napping more.  If I spend one day over doing it I am in bed for days.  I am trying to juggle that better.  Family and friends have really stepped in to help more as well.  I could never express enough gratitude to all that have helped with the house, kids, food, or travel.

It's been a while since I last updated everyone.  I know there are those of you that may follow the bits and pieces on Facebook or Instagram.  My last blog entry was right before the doctor visit which I started the aggressive treatment. I was placed on 3 antibiotics while still continuing the anti-seizure meds and injections and supplements. Just as before, there are good days and bad.  The bad seem to be running into each other more and more.  I also told you that I would be visiting with a Neurologist familiar with Lyme.  She ordered all types of tests after confirming that I do have nerve damage.  Now the long process of finding out how much damage there is exactly.  We needed to get past December because of the costs of it all.

I flew to Dallas last week for a 72 hour video EEG. They made sure I was very comfortable.  I slept mostly which is what they prefer.  When I flew there, it was my first time to fly alone.  I think I did better on this flight than I ever have before.  I feel like such a big girl now.  Thank goodness for facetime.  I really missed my family.

The day I was released was the same day as my doc check-up.  My husband drove up the night before and got to the hotel about 1AM.  At 8:30AM I was finally allowed to take the wires and tape off my head.  After not being able to bathe all week, or wash my face and hair I was like a kid waiting anxiously for Christmas morning to arrive. It's a week later and I'm still washing goop out of my hair.

Doc appointment went well with my LLMD.  He added yet another med to start really attacking my Bartonella co-infection.  Can't kill the Lyme till the Bartonella is gone.  I'm on a total of 4 antibiotics now. Good times.  Good times.  I am also still maintaining a gluten-free diet and a diet full of fresher foods mainly fruits and veggies.  I even did a 21 day cleanse in December where I ate nothing BUT fruits and vegetables.

After my LLMD visit we went by the neurologists so that I could do a resting stress test and a cognitive memory test.  I learned two things. I can't hold my breath like I used to and I have a really bad case of CRS.  My reaction time has slowed horribly.  My cat-like reflexes are failing me.  I still have some 8 hour testing with the neurologist and an MRI.  I will see her in March to get the results from all the testing.

On our way home we had a tire practically blow on us.  It unraveled.  Blessed, we were only about a mile away from an exit into Corsicana.  We were able to find a tire shop to change it for us and my husband didn't have to do it himself.  It would have made for even a longer ride home.  Our trips are never dull that is for certain.  They are very taxing on us both and give us plenty of adventure and conversation for on our way back.

Now I want to share with you some good news and bad news.  I don't know about you, but I prefer to have my bad news first so I can get it out of the way, and since this is my blog....
Bad news first. I have been sick as a dog.  Good news.  I have been sick as dog.
Remember the whole thing with Lyme.  You have to get sick to get better.  Well, I am officially full blown herxing.  I couldn't even stand up in church the other day. I have brain shivers, hot and cold episodes so bad, shakes, breathing problems, water retention, sore throat, sick stomach, Bell's Palsy, and the arthritis pain and headaches are horrific.  My husband even had to carry me the other day from our bedroom into the living room so I could visit with everyone.  I am now on day 4 of my herx and was told it could last days or even months, but my doctor did tell me to expect it for about 5-6 months.  I know the flu is running rampant right now, so this will help a lot of you to relate.  Imagine the way you feel about day 3 with the flu, but you function.  You still get up, clean, cook, drive, visit with family and friends, go to church, go to your children's functions and sports, grocery shop, and the hardest part smile.  That is what I feel like everyday and have for years.  Now it is worse.  I know he will freak a little because he won't know this until he reads the blog, but I almost asked my husband to take me to the ER the other night.  The pain gets so horrible.
How is any of this good you ask?????
The pain means the Bartonella is dying off.  When our bodies hurt it's because our bodies are working to fight.  Herxing is the same reaction.  My body is working to kill the junk in it.  A huge toxin die-off.  There isn't one organ in my body that is getting a break right now. The sauna and Epsom salt baths help give me some relief.  So, this boils down to the old saying, "No pain, no gain."
I could use a LOT of gain for 2013.