*Originally published 3/23/16*
Lately, I have been noticing how ignorant some people still are to this horrific disease. Yes, Lyme disease can be caused from a tick bite, but that's not the only way it can be transferred. Yes, if you get a bull’s-eye rash, 3 weeks of antibiotics may help you, but, not many people get the bull’s-eye rash. If you don't get a bull’s-eye, or even see the tick, you may never know you have contracted Lyme. And once you start showing symptoms, it could be too late.
The tests are not always accurate. A lot of times there are false negatives which leads people on the misdiagnosis journey which could go on for years. Misdiagnosis can range anywhere from the flu, to chronic fatigue syndrome, to MS, to fibromyalgia. But if you are lucky enough to find someone who diagnoses you with Lyme, that practitioner most likely won't be covered by insurance.
Lyme literate doctors are often targeted for treating Lyme because the CDC does not believe in Chronic Lyme Disease, so they often don't accept medical insurance. So these sick people, like me, are left to pay out of pocket for treatment that may or may not work.
Despite being sick for almost 4 years, not once has my family given up on me. They've never accused me of faking and have always believed in my disease.
I can't count how many nights I've cried myself to sleep out of pain or frustration. Or how many nights I've woken up in the middle of the night screaming in pain, waking up he whole house with me. I'm lucky enough to have the support system that I do to help me through these nights, but a lot of people aren't that lucky.
I'm so thankful to have my family and friends there to take care of me when I need it. To wash my hair, put away my clothes, rub my tummy when it hurts, get me food when I'm attached to my iv, and the really hard stuff, like leading me when I can barely walk and literally picking me up from the bath tub when I can't move.
They've been there to help me advocate, going to rallies and walks and even waiting hours for me to testify for Lyme legislation to get passed.
They've spent tens of thousands of dollars, countless hours in the car, in waiting rooms, at the lab just trying to help me get better.
I don't thank them enough for all that they do to help me beat this disease. They say that "you are given this life because you are strong enough to live it" but I was given this disease because I have the support system to get me through it. I love you all and I can't thank you enough for all that you do.
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