Summer seems to be flying by. Heather recently took a fabulous trip with Kevin to Vancouver, Oregon, and Washington. They saw lots of sites, ate well, and attended a wedding. Heather was wise and she listened to her body and rested when necessary. Yes, folks. This is one of the sad realities about Lyme. It robs you of your energy. Sure you can rally for a few days, but you surely do pay a price for it. Extreme fatigue is a common ailment in the Lyme community.
The night of the solar eclipse, Heather had one of her worst nerve pain episodes (she rated it 10 on the pain scale). She hasn't had this extreme pain in a few months. It started around 7pm and lasted through the night. Heather describes this pain like someone is sticking a hot metal rod in her feet and the stabbing pain shoots up to her knees. If you saw Heather when she was experiencing this pain you would be able to see how awful it is. Sadly there isn't any medicine that takes away the pain. Sure she has some special ointments, and her standard medicine, but nothing helps with this extreme pain.
One damn tick. One dumb bite. One can only hope we find a cure.
My poor Heather retreated to her room and quietly cried, waiting for some relief. Well about 4am the pain subsided a bit. Enough for her to get some real sleep.
I wondered if this awful episode had anything to due with the Solar Eclipse. I know that may sound like a stretch - but who really knows? I have heard from several people with arthritis that they were experiencing more pain than usual that day/night.
Actually I would love to find and fix all the triggers for Heather's nerve pain. It breaks my heart to see her struggle. It doesn't matter how old a loved one is, it sucks to not be able to ease their pain and even better, cure their ailments and illnesses. Yes, I am a dreamer.
Heather is still in some pain in the picture above. I know, Heather looks so happy in this picture. Well, Heather is happy. Her liver enzymes have improved, she has a wonderful boyfriend, and she knows she has the support and love from so many people.
However, I know that behind those dimples and that smile, is Heather the actress. Her pain level was a 10 last night and it is a 7 today. My tough Heather. She rallied for the picture and gave me a dimply and cute smile.
I love you Heather. I will always love and support you.
On a totally non-related note. I will end with one of my favorite quotes from Winnie the Pooh:
Piglet: How do you spell Love?
Pooh: You don't spell love, you feel it.
Pooh was a wise soul. It's easy to love my Heather and it warms my heart to know that she feels it.
Love. Not hate. The world could use some more love.
xo
Lisa
