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

When my 85-year-old dad moved in with me in 2019—just months before the world shut down—I truly thought I was preparing to help an aging parent with the normal things that come with growing older. I had no idea what was ahead. I didn’t know our home would become a small, fierce pod where three of the people I love most would fight battles I never could have imagined. I didn’t know how much strength I would need—or how much love would carry us through. I always say caregiving came for me in layers. In 2021, my boyfriend was diagnosed with Stage 3C colon cancer—already metastatic. He went through major surgery, rounds of chemotherapy, endless appointments, terrifying uncertainty, and the slow, painful rebuilding of strength. And he fought through all of it. Through nausea, weakness, and fear, he kept going. And in the end, he survived what could have taken him. He won. What still amazes me is that even in the middle of chemo and recovery, he would help Dad when he could—two different gen...

Delivering apples to neighbors on  Thanksgiving - their idea! This weekend I was writing a blog about Heather and her childhood best f riend Maggie . Maggie and Heather lived two hou ses apart from each other and were inseparable until they attended different high schools a nd colle ges .   Maggie eventually became a West coast girl and Heather was an East coast gi rl. I was reminiscing abou t all their fun in elementary sch ool and middle school and, b e fore I posted it, a package arrive d in the mail fr om Maggie.  It cam e the day after Heather was so sick with nerve pain and fatigue.  It may be 20 years since they were be st f riends, but that bond still exi sts.   Maggie wrote a caring and funny note and in clude d a n aroma therapy s tuffed animal that wraps a round your nec k.   Her note was hysterical, it said "I know you a lready have a dog, but t his one ca n be microwaved."  Very Maggie, very funny. I can't d...

Can you imagine that?  When in the world do I have nothing to say. We are still in a holding pattern.  Waiting on more blood work, more tests, adjusting meds, etc. Last week, they started Heather on another supplement and her body had a bad allergic reaction. So in addition to everything else, she is now covered in hives and feels even more miserable. I think this picture kinda sums up the last month.  Heather sleeps a lot - which is a good thing for her mono.  The picture also shows my shadow hovering over her while I snap this picture of Pearl and Heather sleeping.  I wasn't one of those hovering helicopter parents - but now that she is living at home, I do find myself watching her while she sleeps.  It is hard to watch the nerves twitching, but when she is in a deep sleep I know she is getting some rest, she is unaware of her pain, and those cute dimples - well, they just make me smile.   When she has the energy she has acquired a new...

Pearl enjoying the fire Thursday 3/31/16 - I wa nt to give a quick update about Heather .  For the last week, she has been having high fevers and unable to keep food down.  She went to the ER for blood work, images,  and IV fluids.  Seven hours later, she was sent home and the ER doctor was quite f rankly stumped by all that is goin g on.  Sadly the more tests they run, the more they find.  (4 /2/16 u pdate - got a phone call from ER and Heather has mono.  Heavy sigh .)   It explains the recent fever , f luid in lungs, and more fat igue. The ER d octor said that Heather is like a Dr. House patient.  He wants to follow her case to see how it pans out.  I love th e interest - but it saddens me that the main stream medical community doesn't under stand chronic Lyme disease.  It makes me sick to know that the CDC doesn't recognize chronic l yme disease and sets the gui delines that doctors must fol low .  I will save ...

Heather will be seeing a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor (LLMD) March 9, 2016.  They will review her medical history and determine the best treatment plan for her. Prayers, positive thoughts, and love please. I am determined to make sure that Heather gets the best care possible.  She is my everything.  I love you Heather.  We will beat this disease.  xo Lisa

Banner that we will carry during our May We March for Lyme  Ral ly at the Lincoln Memorial To anyone that has been reading my blog, thank you.  I have tried to stay positive and upbeat about Lyme and put that happy spin on Heather's health and life.  Heather is a fighter and I am hopeful that she will beat this nasty disease.  The last 16 months have been a whirlwind.  L ife sometimes hands you more than you think you can handle.  I have learned to never say "can it get any worse"?   Yes, it can.   This quote sums it up beautifully: “You never know how strong you are until being strong is your only choice.” Heather is strong.   Before I sign off for a bit, I wanted to thank you for reading and hopefully sharing what you have learned about Lyme disease.  As I have said before, if it is quickly detected, an easy and cost effective treatment and recovery is possible.   Remember, each year an est...

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" tea...

The good news is that Heather was home for Christmas.  We had quality family time with my parents - and that gift is priceless.  It was also great to spend time with Heather's boyfriend, Kevin, and her puppy, Pearl. The bad news is that her neuropathy and fatigue issues are worse than they were this summer.   The ugly would be that damn tick that is responsible for all the bad health issues that Heather is dealing with. The good news is that Heather loves her new job and she still enjoys the off season quiet beach season.  There are probably 90% fewer people at the beach during the winter.  Kind of a DUH statement.  You can still get some spectacular beach days, but the wind off the ocean is brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr freezing cold and that in itself is bad bad bad for Heather's neuropathy. Some bad news (actually more annoying than bad) is that Heather had to deal with some crazy home repair issues that involved way too much time before and after...