I was right. I jinxed it.
I started been having tons of nerve pain over the last two or three days. Deep pain caused by nothing apparent (such as swelling or inflammation). It is caused by the infection of Lyme going deeper into my nerves and my brain, and so sometimes the nerves are just stimulated, and sometimes my brain tricks my nerves into pain. It's kind of like phantom pain, but I still have all the limbs. I can't do anything about it except take the edge of the pain off with some pain killers. But that doesn't stop the constant throbbing pain in my hands, wrists, legs, and feet.
Also, my blurry and double vision is worse. I have to focus on one thing for awhile to be able to see it clearly. I have difficulty reading.
So prayers for those would be much appreciated!!!!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Friday, April 24, 2009
God is Faithful
Hey guys!
Time for another update. Things have kind of slowed down for me lately, health-wise, so I haven't had much to write.
First, I want to thank all of you for your faithful prayers!!! I have feel them constantly, and thank God for you all. You, my friends, mean so much to me during this difficult time - You have no idea!!!
Second, I'd like to give you a short update on my symptoms. The eye spot that I wrote about in my last post has thankfully diminished! Now it's just a transparent/lightly colored spot which makes the upper part of my vision look fuzzy & slightly darkened. However, a few days ago I saw a small black spot in my right peripheral vision. Up until then, I had very few problems with my peripheral. Then today, I saw a flashing white light, also in my right peripheral vision. I see all sorts of colors and shapes now. I have almost constant blurry vision in my left eye, periodic blurry vision in my right eye, regular double vision, a lot of floaters, and frequent visual hallucinations.
But on a more positive note, for the last few weeks I have hardly been in any pain!!! God is good! I can move around almost normally! Some things are still affected, like my ankles. But I can walk virtually pain-free! Running is still very hard. I still have swelling in my hands, but there is hardly any pain :) It's such a miracle!! Pray that it is permanent!
Third, I'd like to share how God has been moving and working in my life. I am definitely growing in my relationship with God! For the first time in a long time, I am having regular quiet times. For the first time EVER, I actually want to read the Bible! Like, I will think about it randomly, and long for it! :) I also have realized that I should not only lean on my friends to cheer me up when I'm down, but I should also, and more frequently, rely on GOD for that! He has made me cheerful. Happy with life. Content, yes, even happy with school. Comfortable with my body and fine with the way I look. It's been amazing getting to know Him better, and growing closer to Him.
Needless to say, regardless of my eyesight problems, life is good :) [Yet I am hesitant to say it in case I just jinxed it :P Haha] So again, thanks for your prayers! :) No update on my appointment, it's still July 22. Prayers that it would get moved up would be great!
Love you guys! God bless you all!!!
Time for another update. Things have kind of slowed down for me lately, health-wise, so I haven't had much to write.
First, I want to thank all of you for your faithful prayers!!! I have feel them constantly, and thank God for you all. You, my friends, mean so much to me during this difficult time - You have no idea!!!
Second, I'd like to give you a short update on my symptoms. The eye spot that I wrote about in my last post has thankfully diminished! Now it's just a transparent/lightly colored spot which makes the upper part of my vision look fuzzy & slightly darkened. However, a few days ago I saw a small black spot in my right peripheral vision. Up until then, I had very few problems with my peripheral. Then today, I saw a flashing white light, also in my right peripheral vision. I see all sorts of colors and shapes now. I have almost constant blurry vision in my left eye, periodic blurry vision in my right eye, regular double vision, a lot of floaters, and frequent visual hallucinations.
But on a more positive note, for the last few weeks I have hardly been in any pain!!! God is good! I can move around almost normally! Some things are still affected, like my ankles. But I can walk virtually pain-free! Running is still very hard. I still have swelling in my hands, but there is hardly any pain :) It's such a miracle!! Pray that it is permanent!
Third, I'd like to share how God has been moving and working in my life. I am definitely growing in my relationship with God! For the first time in a long time, I am having regular quiet times. For the first time EVER, I actually want to read the Bible! Like, I will think about it randomly, and long for it! :) I also have realized that I should not only lean on my friends to cheer me up when I'm down, but I should also, and more frequently, rely on GOD for that! He has made me cheerful. Happy with life. Content, yes, even happy with school. Comfortable with my body and fine with the way I look. It's been amazing getting to know Him better, and growing closer to Him.
Needless to say, regardless of my eyesight problems, life is good :) [Yet I am hesitant to say it in case I just jinxed it :P Haha] So again, thanks for your prayers! :) No update on my appointment, it's still July 22. Prayers that it would get moved up would be great!
Love you guys! God bless you all!!!
Saturday, April 18, 2009
Things are getting worse
Well, things had been rather good for me since I'd last updated......until yesterday, that is.
I developed a large black (but still transparent) eye spot that, when I fully extend my arm, is as big as the palm of my hand. It is in my right eye, in the upper part of my vision. This is probably eye spot #10 or so, and it is the biggest so far. I guess the infection is moving deeper into my optic nerves, causing more voids in my vision.
And then over the past three days or so, I've developed severe pain in my feet and legs (all over). It really hurts to walk and stand. I could barely make it through a 5 hour shift at work, today.
So, please continue to be in prayer for me, specifically in walking/standing/leg pain/mobility, and for my vision. Thanks!
I developed a large black (but still transparent) eye spot that, when I fully extend my arm, is as big as the palm of my hand. It is in my right eye, in the upper part of my vision. This is probably eye spot #10 or so, and it is the biggest so far. I guess the infection is moving deeper into my optic nerves, causing more voids in my vision.
And then over the past three days or so, I've developed severe pain in my feet and legs (all over). It really hurts to walk and stand. I could barely make it through a 5 hour shift at work, today.
So, please continue to be in prayer for me, specifically in walking/standing/leg pain/mobility, and for my vision. Thanks!
Saturday, April 11, 2009
Bible Verses from Simone
Thanks for the verses, Simone! :)
"And the prayer of the faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up."
"And the prayer of the faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up."
-James 5:15a
"Behold, we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the purpose of the LORD; how the LORD is compassionate and merciful."-James 5:11
"So we do not lose heart. Though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day. For this slight momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen, but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal."-2 Corinthians 4:16-18
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
"He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away."
-Revelation 21:4
-Revelation 21:4
-Isaiah 40:31
Friday, April 10, 2009
Letter From the Specialist
So I just got news about the medication. Apparently I can't get ANY treatment [meds included] until July 22 when I go see the Infectious Disease Specialist.
Here is the letter we received from him:
"Background:
Lyme disease is a complicated illness, which results in a variety of symptoms. Standard treatment protocols may be ineffective in alleviating symptoms. Because of this, I have worked very hard to develop more aggressive treatment approaches that will achieve beneficial results in the majority of patients, even with chronic Lyme related symptoms. Most individuals experience significant improvement or even complete resolution of their symptoms after such an aggressive, individualized treatment.
Problem:
Unfortunately, a minority of individuals will notice worsening symptoms after stopping antibiotic treatment. It may seem logical to attempt re-treatment in theses instances. However, after offering one (or more) re-treatment courses of antibiotics to patients with relapsed symptoms over the past several years, I have concluded that this approach is not beneficial, and exposes patients to unnecessary risk.
Conclusion:
I will do my very best to eradicate your Lyme infection, utilizing aggressive treatment algorithms that combine leading edge, evidence-based and scientifically sound principles whenever possible. You will receive one course of treatment. My successful results with hundreds of patients indicate that this is the proper approach. Most patients will enjoy reduction of symptoms or complete resolution of symptoms. If not, perhaps alternative therapies may be beneficial. These are outside the scope of my clinical practice. Thank you for your understanding in this matter."
Please be praying that enough people cancel their appointments with the Specialist that I can get my appointment moved up!!!! And please be praying for me, as it's extremely difficult to handle this news and I feel really...hopeless.
Thanks guys.
Here is the letter we received from him:
"Background:
Lyme disease is a complicated illness, which results in a variety of symptoms. Standard treatment protocols may be ineffective in alleviating symptoms. Because of this, I have worked very hard to develop more aggressive treatment approaches that will achieve beneficial results in the majority of patients, even with chronic Lyme related symptoms. Most individuals experience significant improvement or even complete resolution of their symptoms after such an aggressive, individualized treatment.
Problem:
Unfortunately, a minority of individuals will notice worsening symptoms after stopping antibiotic treatment. It may seem logical to attempt re-treatment in theses instances. However, after offering one (or more) re-treatment courses of antibiotics to patients with relapsed symptoms over the past several years, I have concluded that this approach is not beneficial, and exposes patients to unnecessary risk.
Conclusion:
I will do my very best to eradicate your Lyme infection, utilizing aggressive treatment algorithms that combine leading edge, evidence-based and scientifically sound principles whenever possible. You will receive one course of treatment. My successful results with hundreds of patients indicate that this is the proper approach. Most patients will enjoy reduction of symptoms or complete resolution of symptoms. If not, perhaps alternative therapies may be beneficial. These are outside the scope of my clinical practice. Thank you for your understanding in this matter."
Please be praying that enough people cancel their appointments with the Specialist that I can get my appointment moved up!!!! And please be praying for me, as it's extremely difficult to handle this news and I feel really...hopeless.
Thanks guys.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Health Update
I feel like I've only been updating on the technical aspects of my illness, like appointments and such, so I will give you an update on how I've been feeling lately.
One word - crappy. BUT, the swelling and severe pain in my left knee went away!!! Now just normal amounts of pain. Normal, as in BAD, but it's everywhere, so it's normal. I have pain over my entire body now. All my joints, muscles, tendons, skin bones...so pretty much every fiber of my being HURTS all the time. It's horrible, I'm 17 years old and I feel like I'm 80!!!
The neurological symptoms have gotten much worse the past few weeks. All of my colors are mixed up, so half the time it's like I'm partially colorblind in places. I see yellow in place of white a lot, that's the worst messed up color. I see things that aren't there....like random lines, lights, things are distorted, things appear to be moving when they're not (like clocks on the wall move back and forth, when obviously they don't), bad eye spots, and my blurry vision has about doubled since the last time I wrote. I literally can't see half the time. It is definitely not fun. Again, I feel old and dilapidated. Not the kind of thing you wanna feel like at 17 :( So please keep sending up those prayers!! Thanks guys! <3
One word - crappy. BUT, the swelling and severe pain in my left knee went away!!! Now just normal amounts of pain. Normal, as in BAD, but it's everywhere, so it's normal. I have pain over my entire body now. All my joints, muscles, tendons, skin bones...so pretty much every fiber of my being HURTS all the time. It's horrible, I'm 17 years old and I feel like I'm 80!!!
The neurological symptoms have gotten much worse the past few weeks. All of my colors are mixed up, so half the time it's like I'm partially colorblind in places. I see yellow in place of white a lot, that's the worst messed up color. I see things that aren't there....like random lines, lights, things are distorted, things appear to be moving when they're not (like clocks on the wall move back and forth, when obviously they don't), bad eye spots, and my blurry vision has about doubled since the last time I wrote. I literally can't see half the time. It is definitely not fun. Again, I feel old and dilapidated. Not the kind of thing you wanna feel like at 17 :( So please keep sending up those prayers!! Thanks guys! <3
Monday, April 6, 2009
Praise!
HUGE praise!!! My mom heard back from my allergist - She (the allergist) wants us to talk to my Primary Care Physician about treating me right now, and if she won't, my allergist is willing to prescribe me the medication I need!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So I will have the meds SOON!!! As soon as we hear back from my doctor. :D PRAISE GOD!!!!!!! But still pray that my Primary doctor will prescribe the meds. It would be much easier on everyone. Thanks for all your prayers! :]
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