*Originally published 5/6/13*
For 3 years now, my family has been doing the Relay for Life. I look forward to it each year. This year I was kind of dreading it. I knew if I tried to sleep at the campsite, I would be in bad shape for the rest of the week. So I planned on going home to sleep. Early on in the night everyone was dancing so I joined in. It didn't hurt, at first. After a little while, my back began to hurt. Then my knees and ankles and shoulders and the rest of my body.
Eventually I had to stop, and almost in tears, told my mom I had to go home. It really upset me because I wanted to spend just one night trying to help others who are sick, but couldn't because of my own sickness. I like to help people. I wanted to give blood when I was old enough, and be an organ donor when I got my license. Because of my Lyme, I can't. This disease has limited the ways I can help people. So, this is my way of helping, spreading the word.
When I got home, I slept for 11 hours. When I woke up, I could barely move. It hurt to walk. But I tried to tough it out. I did some things with my family during the day, and came home in much more pain. I had a meltdown in the shower, and then the shaking started. My hands were trembling so bad I could barely eat my dinner, I had my dad help me. After the shaking died down I realized it was Sunday and I had school the next day. I missed so much school last week, I had to get some work done. I attempted to read, but I couldn't get my brain to focus on anything.
Then I tried studying but my vision got blurry. So frustrated, I tried to go to bed. After a little while of trying to sleep I got my stuff and went to my parents' room, like I was a little girl again. My parents are so understanding, but some people aren't. At school today (which I only stayed for half the day) my one teacher pulled me aside and asked me why I wasn't in school last week and I told her I have Lyme Disease. She nodded her head, but she doesn't really understand. Then I had to take a test in English. After that I asked my dad to come pick me up.
My hands wrists, shoulders, knees and the fatigue were too much to bear. Before I left, I went to get work from one of the classes I'm missing so I wouldn't get behind. Originally, I was supposed to be exempt from homework. One teacher, however, told me that I have a lot of homework to make up and he will probably make me do it all. He also e-mails my mom asking how I am all the time. He doesn't understand either.
The problem is, many people don't understand that Lyme Disease is as harmful as it is. They don't think it kills people, but it does. They think 2 weeks of antibiotics gets rid of it, but they don't. Before I had Lyme this is probably what I thought. I had no clue. I was very wrong. If I get anything out of being sick I want it to be that I got the message out there. I want to be a voice for the people that can't have one.
Happy Lyme Disease Awareness Month!
Comments