A little bit of sunshine to brighten a cold wintry day

I was looking through my camera and realized that I never wrote a blog for this adorable picture of Heather.    We were at the beach for one of our blog photo sessions and just having a great time.  

When we were packing up stuff, Heather pulled the umbrella out of the stand to put it away and I realized what a great picture this would make.  I just loved the color and composition.  Wow, for an amateur wanna-be photographer, I sound like I know something  - ha.  

This picture just makes me smile - my beautiful and tan baby girl, her fun red sundress, green ray ban sunglasses, yellow umbrella, and the blue ocean.   When I look at this picture, I see hope, good health, happiness, and love.  That is all a Mom can ask for now, isn't it?

Like most patients dealing with a chronic illness, they can mask their pain and put on a good face.  Heck, Heather was an actress - I got tricked a few times with her "fake" tears.  However, as her Mother, I can tell when she is faking feeling good.  She doesn't want to talk about her pain, etc. She is determined to not let Lyme define who she is and what she can do.

Heather loves the sun.  After seeing how miserable this cold weather has been for Heather - I too long for a warm sunny day.  

To update on Heather's condition, her nerve damage in her feet is worse than it was this summer.  Is it due to the cold weather - yes. Heather has had some very difficult days in the last few weeks and I know she is sick and tired of being sick and tired.  Fatigue and brain fog issues are worse too.  This disease really sucks.  

Heather has made the decision to move home (DC area)  and she will be meeting with a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) that will evaluate her case, run more tests (e.g., looking for co-infections) and treat her symptoms and disease.  We are both and anxious and hopeful.  Prayers please.  
xo
Lisa

#TBT - Safety First - for Mommy!

So let's just begin with safety first.  Keep in mind, this picture was taken in 1990.  At that time, bike helmets weren't required.  However, it appears that roller blade protective gear was available. 

I actually laugh at this picture.  My wrists, elbows, and knees are protected, and I am protecting Heather by holding her hand.  Wow - that is some fine parenting right there.  My justification is that Heather owned her roller skates and I rented my roller blades.  Hmmm, that isn't even a good excuse.

Seriously, I grew up ice skating and roller skating, roller blades weren't that much different.  However "I" made the decision that Heather would be fine, and I would protect myself.  Yep - I made that adult decision to protect myself and let my coordinated Heather fend for herself in the event that she fell.  She didn't fall.  I never fell.  Thank goodness this moment was captured on film.  

Let's not even get started on my stylish high-waist baggy shirts and tee shirt.  For those that know me well, I wear dresses.  Sundresses, sweater dresses, leggings, with long shirts.  Shorts aren't part of my wardrobe.  There isn't any kind of cult reason, I just prefer the simplicity of a dress. I'm a girlie girl.

Regarding parenting, no matter how old Heather is, I will always try to protect her and help her.  This Lyme disease is so frustrating.  I don't have any answers.  I can't help her when she is crying out from extreme nerve pain.  I can't give her medicine to make it better.  I can't kiss the boo boo to take away the pain.  She is too old to carry on my shoulder and hold her as tight as I can, just trying to calm her down. 

I can lie with her in bed, I can tell her that we are getting her help, I can reassure her that I will NEVER stop searching for the best doctors and finding the best treatment.  There are just sometimes in life that you just need a hug from your Mom. 

Heather is scheduled to see a new Primary Care Physician and she finally has an appointment with a Lyme Literate doctor.  There will be more tests, more treatment, and hopefully this team of doctors will figure out the right "cocktail" of meds/herbs/vitamins to make her better.  

Lyme isn't a simple disease to treat.  However, I know we are on the right path.  We have a plan.  Heather has the right attitude. 

Heather, please know that I will do ANYTHING to help you through this journey.  I wasn't able to protect you from that awful tick, but if you want to go roller blading, I can make sure we have matching protective gear for protection!

xo
Lisa

No, I am not getting a puppy yet......

Puppies and young adults - Lassie's cousins!

When Lassie was 9 months old, I used to take him to a dog park.   I met some wonderful people.  One of the women told me that she always wanted a Lassie too.  She had two dogs then, both rescues and wonderful.  

For a variety of reasons, I quit going to the dog park.  However, this woman remembered the name and city where I bought Lassie.  Long story short, she too decided to buy a collie and she bought a cousin of Lassie.

Her majestic collie has blessed her with many more generations of Lassie's lineage.  Lassie's cousin was one of the top collies in the country and over the years she is now the proud owner of four adult collies. 

One of her collies recently whelped a beautiful litter of puppies and I was lucky to be able to go visit them.  I know - who can say no to a puppy?  I must admit I was tempted, but what really tugged at my heart was seeing the 9 year old male cousin of Lassie that looked so much like him.  It took my breathe away.  The temperament, the smile, the eyes, that long face/nose, the fur, the gait, .....perfection.

Lassie and Mick look very similar.  It was wonderful, yet it was soooooooooooo hard.  It made me miss Lassie even more.

A few weeks later I went over to play with the puppies again and I met the most amazing family.  The woman was the great-great-granddaughter of the man that wrote "Lassie come home."  Seriously - she was there with her family to purchase one of these puppies.  What are the odds of that one.

Below are some pictures of the puppies and Lassie's cousins.  There is also a picture of my Lassie and his cousin Mick.

I am not ready yet to get another puppy or dog - but puppy kisses are pretty darn wonderful.

I miss you Lassie - thank you for expanding my social circle and allowing me to meet so many wonderful friends.

xo
Lisa

Lassie on top - Cousin Mick on bottom

A foggy day - wish the Lyme brain fog would dissipate just as fast as this fog

I love a good dreary rainy day when I am at home.  However, the rain and cold aren't a good combination for Heather and her Lyme disease issues.

In a perfect world, Heather's Lyme would be cured and the brain fog and other health issues would go away.  Let's hope and pray for a cure.  Then I can post and write about sunshine, puppy kisses, love, and happiness.

These pictures make me smile.
xo
lisa