Hate and fear....

This past year I added ticks to the small list of things that I hate and fear.  For no reason in the world, I have always been terrified of snakes.   I hate the reptile house, I can't look at National Geographic specials about snakes, Jack Hannah bringing pythons on the Tonight Show is a sure bet that I will change the channel, snakes sunning on a lovely rock are disgusting, Snakes on a Plane movie (never saw it), Raiders of the Lost Ark (hated the snake scene)......yep, I am terrified of snakes. I am not fearful of limes.  They are a wonderful garnish to my cosmopolitan.   I think that displaying a colorful happy picture of limes makes me feel that one day when I see a deer or lime, I won't think about this awful disease.  But I digress.....

It didn't help that a few years ago I encountered a snake at the beach house.  Houses on the Outer Banks are built on stilts.  During the winter the screens are stored on the upper/second story deck.  It was the beginning of summer and I was feeling so motivated that I decided to the put the screens into the windows.  I grabbed a screen and would take it into the house, then grab another.

I had about 6 screens to install, and when I grabbed the top screen I saw a black snake coiled up between the screens.  OMG.  A snake had climbed two stories to rest in the porch.  A SNAKE.  Have I mentioned my fear of snakes?!!?!?!?!?!

I ran into the house, locked the sliding glass doors (because you know a snake can open a door) and I cried.  Hmmm, that really helped the situation.  Everyone came home, the snake was swept off the deck, and now I can no longer go onto the porch without looking down. 

Fast forward to Saturday Night, I decided to run downstairs to change a load of laundry, and half way down the steps I see a snake.  On the carpet.  Shaped like an S. All slithery and slimy.  I screamed and ran back up the steps and stared.

Thank GOD it didn't move.  Here I am alone and there is a snake in my house.  In my mind it is python, but in reality it is a 2 ft. garter snake. Regardless, it is a snake.

I called my lawn crew and told him there was a snake in the house.  If I had thought for a while I would have remembered that "serpiente" is the Spanish word for Snake.  He asked if I had a backup in my pipe and did I need a snake.  I must have sounded hysterical - duh - and he came over.

I stood at the top of the steps and watched the snake, fearful that it would move and hide.  But it stayed in place (score one for the snake).  The lawn crew arrived and when I showed him the snake, he quickly said he HATES snakes.  Great.  Now there are two of us. But he is the brave one and he took care of the situation.  The snake is ummmm gone. 

Maybe I have conquered a fear.  This snake problem was remedied within 45 minutes.  That damn tick is taking so much more time. 

Chronic Lyme disease is called the "great imitator" because it is often misdiagnosed as another condition such as Multiple Sclerosis, Fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue, or anxiety. Misdiagnosis is a common experience for patients with chronic Lyme disease. Treatments that work for these other illnesses are not appropriate for treating Lyme disease. Currently, the only effective treatment for Lyme disease is antibiotics. Ask your doctor to carefully evaluate you for Lyme disease even if your tests are negative. - See more at: http://www.ilads.org/lyme/lyme-tips.php#sthash.PJ9wv0zh.dpuf

Live, Laugh, Love, Lyme

May is Lyme disease awareness month.  Don’t you just love her lime sunglasses, lime nail polish, and lime wine glass?  Based on this happy face, nobody would know that she has Lyme disease – my brave Lyme warrior.  She certainly has attracted attention with her green nail polish and it has allowed her to share her story, our blog, and tell people about the importance to check for ticks. 

This whole blogging thing is new to me and sharing private information in a public forum is challenging.  I want to be honest, yet stay positive. By sharing our blog we hope to educate people about the necessity to prevent, detect, and and treat Lyme disease.  Much of the information that I share is obtained from the International Lyme and Associated Diseases Society (ILADS) website (http://www.ilads.org).

To update on Heather’s progress, the warm weather has certainly helped with her nerve pain.  Her body is adjusting to the new nerve medication.  She still has some loss of sensation in her feet, but it won’t keep her from sinking her toes into the sand at the beach.  Hard to believe that 6 months ago she was working 10+ hours a day which included 8-10 miles of walking each day.  One stinking bug bite was life altering.  I really really really don’t like ticks.  On a positive note, Heather is healing.


Ticks can vary in size from a poppy-seed size nymphal tick to a sesame-seed size adult tick. The ticks can carry other infectious agents besides the spirochete that causes Lyme disease, including Ehrlichia, Anaplamosis, Babesia, and Bartonella. Lyme disease can sometimes be hard to cure if these other infections are not treated at the same time.

Mother's Day

A time to reflect on all that we have learned from our Moms, all that we have taught our children, and all that we have learned from any woman that had a positive impact on your life.   May you pause and reflect on how lucky we are to have been loved and to love.

Thank you Mom and thank you Heather.  I am truly blessed.  I love you both  - always and forever.

The attached picture is precious to me.  It shows four generations of love - my Grandmother holding my Mom, my Mom holding me, and me holding Heather.  

"Mothers hold their children's hands for a short while, but their hearts forever." 

May Pole Dancing

When I was in Kindergarten, my school celebrated May Day.  We would hold brightly colored ribbons and dance around a Maypole to celebrate the coming of spring.  I hesitate to mention that I used to be a "pole dancer" - ha.  I look back at those innocent days and smile. 

 Fast forward to this year and now I have added another "May" event.  May is Lyme Disease Awareness month.  Last week I attended a candlelight vigil, sponsored by the May Day Project, to honor and remember victims of Lyme disease.  The Mayday Project was formed by a group of volunteers who have been touched by Lyme disease.  The group advocates for more accurate tests, better guidelines, improved access to treatment, increased education for physicians, and more funding for research.   It was an emotional event, but it made me more aware of the necessity for Lyme disease awareness.   So many people attending the vigil shared their stories and it was shocking to hear how many people went YEARS without a Lyme diagnosis. 

Heather was very fortunate to have a medical team that tested her for Lyme, than started the recommended treatment for IV antibiotics.  She is healing.  It is a slow process, but she is getting stronger every day.  As always, I am proud of her positive attitude and brave face.  I wish she didn't have to fake a smile to hide her pain, but that's what Lyme patients, or any person dealing with a chronic condition, do. 

Speaking of Lyme Disease Awareness, my Mom has painted her nails lime green.   When strangers comment and ask about her bold color choice, she tells people that her granddaughter has Lyme disease and then she shares Heather's story.   So please feel free to share this blog and share Heather's story.  The quicker the diagnosis, the greater the chance for recovery.