“You’ve gotta dance like there’s nobody watching,
Love like you’ll never be hurt,
Sing like there’s nobody listening,
And live like it’s heaven on earth.”
~ William W. Purkey
Well, you know by now that when I’m quiet there’s a good reason.
This time?
My doctor recommended a new combination of Lyme drugs.
Result?
A night of small seizures and a misbehaving brain.
The drugs are well prescribed, but the dose was too high and too many lyme bacteria and their associated friends died too fast, releasing toxins into my brain, after which I did that herx-induced shaky-limbed, sweat-soaked seizure dance all night.
I also woke with my voice totally gone.
Two days of sleep, no meds and lots of binding agents to remove all those toxins and I’m almost back to normal.
Normal for me, anyway. Normal right now is: my hands and feet are burning and yet strangely numb, there is a pain behind my ear that won’t shift, my vision is blurred in my left eye, I get intermittent stabbing pain in random parts of my body, feelings like electrical shocks get me up in the middle of the night, and after I eventually sleep I wake soaked in sweat. Don’t let it get you down though. I don’t. This is nothing compared to some of the Lyme-induced misery I’ve suffered.
It’s actually okay for me. I can deal with most of these problems, and it’s far better than where I was a year ago. Two years ago. Back then I was just this side of dead. My improvement since then has been legion. I mostly have a wide smile on my face. Because? Progress!
It humbles me, the power of these tiny critters who have wrought so much damage in my body. I no longer under-estimate them or think that simply taking drugs will be an easy fix.
While at the doctor’s on Monday I also got my latest bloods back. After two years of targeted high-dose antibiotics, herbs and essential oils I have the best blood and hormone levels and organ function I’ve enjoyed in decades. The upswing in my body is amazing. And I can feel it!!!
I can honestly say I’m winning now. Battle weary as I may be.
Best Christmas present ever! 🙂
But oh how sad that I have had to fight for thirty years to get a diagnosis, that lyme disease is still not acknowledged by most of the Australian medical community, and that effective treatment is something I continue to fight for rather than a right, as it is for so many other diseases and conditions.
If I must live in the Lyme Light, then at least let me help others to know that there is hope, that there can be healing, and that things will change. I will keep pushing for that change. Hang in there, Lymies!
For more information on Lyme disease go to:
Lyme Disease Association of Australia
Karl McManus Foundation Australia
Lyme Disease Association, Inc United States
The Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation
Not sure if you’ve heard this version of my song, RISE. Hope it brings comfort. I will add the link. Let me know if you need company or anything. x https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hc46oFy7Dd8
All I am going to say is that you are one bloody wonderful and marvelous person and I hope you know it
sending love, light, peace and ease!
Nicole, you’ve come such a long way on your journey to wellness. I commend you for your courage and your gratitude. It’s a lesson for all of us. A very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and yours. xo Lucinda
You cope so amazingly well – you are an example to all of us.
Often we humans fail to appreciate good health until it is threatened. I cannot imagine all you have been through but glad to hear you are winning! Will keep good thoughts coming your way. A votre santé!
I have a friend who both her, and her daughter, were recently diagnosed with Lyme Disease. She’s currently in Germany doing an aggressive treatment for it. I felt it kind of kismet when this came across my reader this evening. She has a blog as well:
It’s called “Stuck in the Lyme Light”.
http://stuckinthelymelight.com/
Thinking of you Nicole and your plight . I just know you’ll beat the critters… your a tough cookie .
warmest wishes Cherryx
sending love and light to you 😉
lots of good thoughts and energie from Europe 🙂
Cécile
Sending love!
I hope you feel better real soon and I feel for you that you have had such a journey but when you see such progress you do know you will be ok…one day x
Nicole
So sorry to hear you have had such a terrible time over the last few days. Good news about your bloods though!
Keep that beautiful smile on your face as you always do
Margot
X
I’m so sorry for the Lyme attack, even though it means progress. When you can see and feel able, could you send me the name of the doctor you mentioned at our Retreat? Please? Blessings . 💖
Whenever I’m having a bad day you are always an inspiration. Some of your troubles make some of mine seem so trivial. I’m not sure I could be as positive as you are.
It’s strange to me that Lyme disease is not that recognized there. I guess I’m oddly familiar with it because I live one state away from the town it was named after. We even test the dogs for Lyme disease in addition to the usual heart worm test every year. My brother’s dog has/had lyme and she has her ups and downs too. It’s a better situation if it’s caught early but when you have it for years…well, you know, obviously.
Stay strong.
Good for you Nicole. I wish you the merriest of Christmases and all the health in the world. You truly are an inspiration. All the best to you and your family )including all the 4 legged members too
What an amazing, inspirational lady you are Nicole, shining through all the adversity there is in your life. Great to hear of the blood results. Healing prayers sent as always xxoxx
And still, you rise!
Love & Healing Light, Sweet Soul…
My thoughts are with you, always xox
Oh sweetheart, we will indeed look back, astonished that such a devastating disease was not adequately acknowledged nor treated. xxx
I never like hearing that you have been so unwell, and like the others send love when you are off the air. Wonderful Christmas present regarding your bloods! Woohoo ! Welcome back much love Cherie xxx
Such good news in amongst the shaky present.. So happy your on the mend. Your an amazing warrior. Thank you for bringing Lyme to the light. Much love. Lyn xx
Was wondering after a few days of silence, and thinking of you … Thank you for letting us know how you’re getting on, and brilliant news re the bloods! 😃
Much Love to you Nicole with your positive swing on life and know we are all batting in your corner Much Love <3 x
Nicole I was also thinking of you too! When you were quiet I was hoping you were enjoying hot passion in Australia or petting Koala bears…. so very sorry that you are being hit by another wave of this! ARGH. So energy from all your friends here, and hoping that this weekend you will be on the up curve again!
YAY! to You Nicole,
You are a fighter, survivor … and a winner!
Thanks for all the work you’re doing to being Lyme disease into the Light.
I’m so proud of you.
Hugs xx
Love & Light,
Karen Tyrrell xx
Hi Nicole. First, let me say I never comment on blogs, YouTube posts or anything like that but I felt drawn to sending you a comment today. I am new to this “spiritual” stuff but I am trying to pay attention to my internal voice. Not easy after years of squashing it!
Anyway, you inspire me! I read your post today and it reminded me that life is great. Such a gift. I don’t have Lyme disease and really have no issues except the usual aches and pains associated with a 49 year old, overweight body. I am prone to being sad – for no reason – and here you are celebrating your victories in the midst of struggles that would reduce me to a puddle.
As I said, I have really just started my spiritual journey but I have completed my level 1 Reiki and it has been an amazing. That buzz I feel in my hands makes me grin everyday! I really don’t know how Reiki at a distance works but I would love to include you in my daily sessions. At this point, I am merely practicing everyday on myself, my plants and my dog but I think if I just include your name in my sessions, AA Raphael et al can figure it out. I am sure you have many friends and readers that pray for you and include you in their daily meditations but one more can’t hurt.
Please know that your writings are so appreciated. I’m thankful that your blog was recommended to me. Stay strong.
Charlene McComber
So sorry you have had such a bad time recently. You are amazing how you manage to remain so positive.
You have certainly enlightened me on the sufferings of those with Lyme Disease. Here’s hoping more doctors recognise the problem.