Tag: IV antibiotics

I am scared, but encouraged and hopeful

When I stopped the IV antibiotics in late November 2016, I also happened to be in the middle of investigating a suspicious breast lump. A stress-filled two months later, I had a mastectomy and DIEP reconstruction.

DIEP is a new reconstruction  method that replaces your breast with tissue from your abdomen, kind of like a tummy tuck, but you move the fat. I was naturally worried, such a physical attack would cause me to relapse with Lyme.

I am writing this almost two months post surgery. It kicked my ass, as expected, but  I healed very quickly compared to most breast cancer patients!

Today, I am still having hot flashes, which concern me, and still fight vertigo symptoms and some head pressure. I have fatigue, again as expected, but I have not seen my worst Lyme symptoms come flooding back.

I ride my exercise bike for two hours each day, and I am ramping up the settings from a sleepy casual pedal to a faster churn. This is a big deal!  Four months ago, the fast churn would’ve had me limping the next day with swollen legs from mitochondrial issues.

I may be ready to build muscle again 🙂 I am also trying to work on my arms, which are beyond weak.

My Lyme doctor tells me that if I do relapse, treatment can address it quickly. I may be down for a couple weeks or a month. That sounds inconvenient, but like a cakewalk after all these years.

Until they make more treatment breakthroughs, Lyme and the other tick illnesses in my body will always be there. I can not burn the candle at both ends, or run myself ragged. They will take hold, if I do.

My whole life was disrupted. It was not only derailed for several years, but permanently changed. Casual friends are gone. Old creative goals are gone. Old jobs are gone. Financial independence is gone. My muscles are nearly gone. My left breast is gone.

I have a lot of catching up to do with my partner, family, friends and pets. I’ve been in life in recent years, but like an erratic ghost to all who know me.

But in about a month, I am planning to start working, living and enjoying myself. Right now I am still very much in a chrysalis.

 

 

 

Posted on by cdlovan 0

You’re not crazy, Lyme is a real jerk

When NYU Hospital told me I had Lyme, the CDC website and a lot of other official statements certainly did not alert me to what a true shit show I was now starring in. Neither did my infectious disease specialist.

I am one of the lucky  ones. I have a name for what has ruined my entire life the past few years. I have a CDC positive diagnosis. After loads of treatment, I think I am as well as can be hoped for now? I think I am ready to be functional, kind of like a normal person.

Yet, even in the Lyme ridden North East, my treatment and recovery have been filled with a world of people who don’t understand what I am dealing with.

My heart breaks for every person who is now suffering like I did, but are still undiagnosed.

Many people get no sympathy or help from their workplace, or spouse, family or friends. It gets hard for these people to tell themselves every day, “I am not crazy something is really wrong.”

So I’m just saying, you are not crazy. Easy to say, easy to forget.

 

 

Posted on by cdlovan 0

Medications to Fight Infection

I have been on both herbal remedies and prescription antibiotics. Finally, after 3 years, I broke down and did IV antibiotics and supplements for 10 months.

I certainly don’t have the answers to what will make someone well. But I will say, the combination of herbals, antibiotics and supplements gave me results.

Only time will tell if my current progress will hold up. My last IV antibiotic was Thanksgiving 2016.

I will do a detailed history of my treatment when I have time. I know if you are struggling, you really need to know details. It’s a long dang list though.

From what I understand, I am in the relapse danger zone, but doing well, and even made it through some huge challenges.

I am still scared, but encouraged and hopeful.

 

Posted on by cdlovan 0