Lisa's thoughts about Love, Life, Lyme, and Liver disease

The good news is that Heather was home for Christmas.  We had quality family time with my parents - and that gift is priceless.  It was also great to spend time with Heather's boyfriend, Kevin, and her puppy, Pearl. The bad news is that her neuropathy and fatigue issues are worse than they were this summer.   The ugly would be that damn tick that is responsible for all the bad health issues that Heather is dealing with. The good news is that Heather loves her new job and she still enjoys the off season quiet beach season.  There are probably 90% fewer people at the beach during the winter.  Kind of a DUH statement.  You can still get some spectacular beach days, but the wind off the ocean is brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr freezing cold and that in itself is bad bad bad for Heather's neuropathy. Some bad news (actually more annoying than bad) is that Heather had to deal with some crazy home repair issues that involved way too much time before and after...

Santa looks intoxicated and I am terrified.  Love this picture and that my parents sent this card to family and friends - hysterical.  Happy holidays to all - may they be filled with love, time spent with family and friends, and more memories to tuck away. xo Lisa

The best things in life aren't things.  Yes, it seems so simple, but it makes so much sense to me now.  I have grown to realize that what really matters are the people that we love, the people that we help, and memories that we make.  When I was younger, I used to have a BIG list of "things" that I wanted (not needed) for my birthday and Christmas.  Except for never getting a pony, I was a very fortunate young girl to have such a loving and generous family.   However, with age comes wisdom and I now realize that the most precious gift to me is time.  Time with family and friends.  Time to learn new things.  Time to help others.  Time to sit back and remember how truly blessed and lucky I have been.  If I could ask for anything, I would like to go back in time when my beautiful grandmother and her sisters were alive and we could sit around the dinner table and share stories and I could introduce them to the newest members of ou...

Heather came home in the fall and I took some pictures of her on our Lyme Awareness patio.  This picture makes me so happy - the colors, her smile, that adorable puppy.  I haven't seen Heather since August and one thing I noticed was that this colder fall weather has been hard on her neuropathy.  Cold weather is often a trigger for nerve pain.   Over the past few months, Heather has been experiencing more nerve pain in her feet (not just the toes).  She is also dealing with bouts of fatigue and sometimes her body just aches.  She said it isn't like the flu - but more "lyme" like.  With that comes some brain "fog" when fatigued , and overall she feels like crap. She has good days, but the night time is hardest.    She is improving, but to be honest, any little setback scares me.   The medical community has so much to learn about Lyme disease and the protocols for treating chronic lyme are not consistent.   Even...

So the truth is that Lassie HATED climbing the indoor stairs.   He would spin until he was ready to climb or until I told him to go up.  However, if you throw in a spin command, he looks SUPER intelligent and obedient as he spins and waits for his next command.   Whew – that was a long explanation for a simply adorable video.  I miss you Lassie.

Everyone knows that Lassie and Timmy were a team.  I had my Lassie, but people would always ask "where's Timmy?"  Initially there wasn't a Timmy for Lassie.  However, when I started dating Joe, I met his youngest brother Timmy.  Perfect right? Well, it was better than perfect.  Timmy was the perfect pairing to my Lassie.  Last year Timmy was able to make his first of several trips to Virginia to visit with us.  Lassie and Timmy LOVED each other.  Timmy's favorite thing to do was give Lassie a treat.  When Timmy returned home, I would call him and he would ask to speak with Lassie.  Timmy would talk to  Lassie and with a little prompting from us (I just whisper the word FOX and he barks like a wild man), Lassie would bark back. I have learned a lot in the few years that I have known Timmy.  I have learned that the entire world should spend a day with Timmy.  Timmy is compassionate, loving, intelligent, funny, gentle,...

and.....I will love you forever.  Lassie passed away today from a valiant battle with a soft-tissue cancer in his front leg. As a young girl I was in love with Lassie.  I waited with anticipation for each show.  I wouldn't let anyone change the channel until the end when they whistled the theme song and Lassie   raised her (his) paw. Every few years they would have contests to win a Lassie puppy and I would submit an entry.  Just like the Publisher's Clearing House contest, I never won. In 1994 they made another Lassie movie and during the promotion, they were taking Lassie around the country for a book signing party.  Heather was 12  years old and away at camp, so I grabbed my niece and away we went.  As you waited in line, the trainer gave strict instructions that you couldn't pet Lassie.   Everyone walked by, had their pictures taken, then moved on.  What did I do.  I petted his head and I was quickly reprimande...

So much has changed since this was posted in 2015.  However, the memories and love remain forever in my heart. Thanksgiving 2015.   They say a picture is worth a thousand words - so I will keep this simple.  This year I am thankful for Heather's medical team, Heather's strength and improving health, my parents and Joe for all of their love and support, Lassie, my family, my job, my freedom, wonderful friends, trips to the beach and, that many of my prayers were answered this year.  Wishing you and yours a wonderful Thanksgiving.  xo, Lisa Please enjoy some pictures over the years - they certainly show how blessed I have been. Pearl and Heather Kevin and Heather My Lassie Dad, Mom, and Jesse Mom and Dad - Celebrating an anniversary Dad's 80th Birthday Party Heather, Dad, and Lisa   Heather and Grandma Butler Cousins Dolan Cousins Trips to NYC An evening out ...

Last month Heather rescued a 4 1/2 month old female hound/lab mix, named Pearl, from a Kill Shelter.  Heather has had her for about a month and she has been such a snuggle love bug companion.  Pearl also fell in love with Kevin too.   What never ceases to amaze me about dogs is their sensitivity and awareness of their owner's emotional and physical health. One of Heather's chronic Lyme conditions is neuropathy in her feet.  It is worse in the colder months.  This stabbing pain occurs most often in the middle of the night.  When I have spent time with Heather, her feet and legs will sometimes twitch while she sleeps as her face grimaces in pain.   Of course, Pearl prefers snuggling in Heather's bed instead of her dog bed.  In the few weeks that Heather has owned Pearl, this sweet puppy can sense when Heather is in pain.  Heather will wake up in pain and find Pearl sound asleep on her feet to keep them warm.  Heather sai...