.JPG)
When Heather was 32 years old, she was admitted to the hospital and diagnosed with Lyme in December 2014.
As I sat bedside, it was impossible to not reflect on other hospitalizations when she was 7 days old and then again at 15 months. During these times Heather had surgeries to correct an intestinal obstruction and each surgery required a two week hospital stay. They didn't give her pain meds since they claimed she didn't feel pain, but I watched her furrowed brow as she slept.
Fast forward to her Lyme diagnosis and this time Heather is able to tell the doctors how awful the nerve pain is. Her pain management in the hospital was a mix of Lyrica and morphine. They had to ease her onto the Lyrica, so they temporarily supplemented it with morphine. Even with two strong medicines, I could still see her grimace in her sleep and grab her calves where the pain was most intense. I felt so helpless, but I was so glad I was there to love her, listen to her, hold her, and reassure her that they would figure out what was happening.
As I reflected back on other illnesses, I reminded myself that my baby girl made a full recovery and she would do so again. I learned then, that babies are resilient and I know how strong Heather is today.
Heather is an amazing patient and is staying as positive as she can, given the pain she is experiencing and how this Lyme disease has affected her everyday living. Nerve pain sucks. Heck all pain sucks. We will talk later about the meds, the adverse reactions, and how she coped.
To stay focused, I remember happy times. This picture of Heather at 5 years old embodies my baby girl’s free spirit - with her sun kissed face, enjoying her beach house. Summer will be here soon and my sun lover will soon be getting some much needed solar therapy.
Common symptoms of Lyme-related neuropathy include pain, numbness and tingling in limbs. Heather’s began with a prickling sensation in her hands, then her toes, then a shooting pain up both legs.
