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
