Ashley van Tol
A friend told me I need to embrace my Lyme. He said I should be thankful for it and to love it. I struggled with that for a while. How in the world could I love my Lyme? I mean, Lyme stole my life! Or did it…
I knew my friend was right. I have been adamant about staying positive since I found out I have Lyme. I see no reason to be angry about it, to let it get me down, or to let it run my life. I am doing everything I can to get healthy. I will get my life back, and it will be better than before.
I finally found a reason to maybe not love my Lyme, but to appreciate it. I have been given the opportunity to explore the interest that I never seemed to find time for in my “real life”. I have had to slow down and just enjoy life and what I have. My family relationships are closer than ever. I get to discover who I am and what is truly important in my life.
I guess I have to thank Lyme for making me a happier, healthier, more loving person.
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I’ve probably had Lyme since I was a kid. I didn’t have any problems until my early 20′s though. It was another 10 years before I was diagnosed with Lyme. I am so glad to know what has been “wrong” with me this whole time.
My pre-diagnosis life was lived as a ski instructor and traveller. I had good and bad health years. 2007/2008 was my last year teaching. I had been really struggling for the previous couple of years and I just couldn’t do it anymore. I was resigned to the fact that I had a sensitive digestive system and decided I was just going to have to learn to live with it.
In April of 08 I went back to school to study graphic design. I got really sick that summer, so it was back to the doctor’s offices for me.
I honestly didn’t know much about Lyme. Neither did the Doctor who diagnosed me. I was given Samento and told I would be fine. It wasn’t until March 09,worse not better, I saw a chiropractor who educated me on the seriousness of Lyme Disease. He lent me the movie “Under Our Skin”, it scared the crap out of my husband and I.
In April 09 I started having really bad neurological problems. I was no longer able to continue with my studies or work. Ego bruised but not broken I dove into the internet looking for answers. I found a wonderful network of friends and supporters who understand Lyme and what I am going through.
I still don’t love my Lyme, but I really can’t complain too much about my life.
-Ashley van Tol
November 23, 2010 at 8:45 am
I just found your blog. I’m in the process of testing, but my LLMD is 99% sure I have Lyme, and 99% sure my daughters have congenital Lyme. (My oldest DD is dx with PANDAS currently as well.) DH has being showing symptoms for the past year or so as well, so I probably have given it to him.
I had a terrible tick bite (one of many) at 10 yrs old. I’m now 33 and have struggled with almost every symptom in the long list of Lyme symptoms for my whole life.
Your blog is giving me hope. Thank you for that. Just knowing that I’m not crazy or a hypochondriac and there is actually a NAME for what is going on and a doctor who will listen to me for once in my life is nothing short of amazing. Having online community and the ability to feel like I am not alone is comforting.
Thank you for putting yourself out there and giving info and hope to people like me.
September 10, 2011 at 8:39 am
My son has recently been diagnosed with lyme disease. I believe he had a tick bite in June around Father’s day weekend, but I’m not sure. These blogs have been a Godsend for me this morning. I’m left confused about his best course of treatment. His name if Finley, and he will be 4 this September 19. We are a family that was not even on antibiotics this last winter, and my husband has been without work for 6 months now. 6 months is short for most who have been unemployed, but it still seems like an eternity. I’m feverishly reading everything I can about this, and collecting what info. I can get my hands on to keep my little guy healthy. Money is ridiculously tight, but I’m willing to embrace a life for our family that is gluten and dairy free to keep his body in best working order. Of couse, prayer and faith is a part of our lives as I work at our Church we are members of and it also has a school the kids go to. If there’s someone that I can contact to help us through this to get the best course of treatment possible, I would be greatful.
Blessings, Val