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

Before I begin - I am not writing this post to solicit comments about how wonderful I am and how much I am doing for Heather.  In a kind and perfect world, you would hope that a parent would do anything to help their sick child.  Anything. So, here we go. I am not a perfect Mom. I get frustrated. I am scared. I don't listen to my own blog advice - "don't judge a book by it's cover." I think that I can fix or navigate this Lyme journey by myself, but I can't. I cry. I am so stubborn that asking for help is not an option. Wow - did I just confess all these things? I am beating myself up right now for not being a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor with years of experience and the diagnostic tools and cocktail of medicine, supplements, and herbs that could have fixed Heather in December 2104.   Pretty funny right?   I believed that after Heather was diagnosed and treated with a her six weeks of IV antibiotics and all the "specialists" said she...

Heather and I attended the Lyme rally with Joe, Kevin, and his parents. It was one of the first nice weather days in DC in quite a while. I went there with so much hope and desire to help with spreading awareness. The rally attendees were easy to spot because everyone was wearing lime green attire. Some awesome ladies rocked their lime green dyed hair and, most were wearing lime colored sunglasses/arm bands/nail polish. I expected more people at the rally but the reality was that too many people were too sick to attend or if they aren't from the DC metropolitan area they may not of had the money to travel since they're spending hard earned money on treatment not covered by insurance companies. The common denominator for all the people there was that they have Lyme, they love someone that has Lyme, or they lost a loved one to Lyme. I wish I could say they HAD Lyme disease. However, sadly there isn't a cure. Another reason that these AMAZING advocates spent count...

Vintage Lisa - Circa 1977 I loved the 70s - but sadly I never attended a protest or rally. However, now I can release my inner 70's child and go the Lyme Disease Rally on May 19th at the U.S. Capitol.  Let's go over my checklist and compare it to 1976 1.  Long hair - CHECK 2.  Blue eyeshadow - CHECK - but it will be green (Come on - give me a break) 3.  Bell bottoms - um - sorry - no can do - we can blame that fashion on drugs and the invention of  polyester 4.  Sterling silver jewelry - CHECK - gotta love me some Alex and Ani 5.  Paraphernalia - hmmmmm - webster's definition is " miscellaneous articles, especially the equipment needed for a particular activity " - so CHECK - we have banners and business cards and green things :) I wish Heather didn't have Lyme disease - but I couldn't pick a better person to attend this rally with. I love you Heather. We will continue this journey together and spread awareness. Game on DC - the Dolan...

Heather and I are going to the rally at the U.S. Capitol on Thursday May 19th.  She has a Doctors appointment in the morning - but we are hoping to be at the rally by 11:45.  We would love for anyone in the area to join us at 12:15 for the largest "Take a Bite Out of Lyme" on Capitol Hill.  Look for our banner to find us!!!! From the Mayday Project site:  This is the year for change and this will likely be our last chance to speak out before the new IDSA guidelines are published. Come help us get the justice we deserve. On May 19 we are hosting a “We the People Rally” at the U.S. Capitol, calling on Congress for decisive action to address the out of control epidemic of Lyme disease, including more funding for research and Congressional oversight of CDC’s Division of Vector-Borne Diseases. At 12:15 pm sharp, we welcome anyone participating in or nearby the rally, to join us for the largest "Take a Bite Out of Lyme" on Capitol Hill. The followi...

Last night Heather had one of her awful nerve pain episodes.   It breaks my heart to see her curled up in pain, crying, and basically inconsolable.    I feel so helpless.   Heather is tough and has a pretty high pain threshold.   It's just not right that my vibrant and free-spirited 33 year old is in so much pain that she has problems walking and going up the stairs.   I can't even imagine what is going through her head as she deals with this chronic pain. She is doing everything that the medical team advices from meds, to diet, to exercise, to rest, to Epsom salt baths, lemon water........and so much more. I have no idea how she feels - I can only guess based on hearing her cry and looking into her eyes.  I have never experienced chronic nerve pain, but I know it must be AWFUL.   It is a pain so severe that she says it feels like someone is sticking a hot metal rod up her feet through her calves.   We met with the Lyme Doctor ...

Did I get your attention with my title for this blo g?    May is L yme Disease awareness month.  Please join us in the “Take a Bite Out of Lyme Disease” Challenge.  The purpose of the Lyme Disease Challenge is to raise awareness and funding for improved Lyme Disease diagnosis and treatment.   It's simple.... Sharing is key to spreading awareness.  Post away on social media !  B e sure to include #LymeDiseaseChallenge  so we can find you! It's a simple thing to do and trust me - the few seconds of a sour tasting lime will go away.  Lyme disease has no cure and in chronic cases, the patient is sick for a long time.   So buy the lime, slice it, have your camera ready then pucker up, bite it, suck it .........and this is going downhill fast.....you know what to do.   Do it for my Heather.   Do it for anyone suffering from Lyme disease.   Do it because you want to help others...