I don't always know what exactly brings on a downturn or an upturn or if a good day will turn into two or a week or longer but somewhat of a break is nice to enjoy finally. I think this one could possibly be a combination of a few changes. I've been more diligent with my liver detoxes so it's possible the worsened symptoms were a result of my body having an extra hard time eliminating toxins, especially since the flu bug probably added to the toxin load. The weather has also been warming up more and I've had some more natural vitamin D and fresh air. I also started a new supplement for nerves and CNS hypersensitivity but seeing as I only started that the day before I started feeling better we doubt that's it. It may be a combination of the above, the meds and IVs just doing their job or just another random stretch of good days with no explanation. Good days and bad days are common in Lyme disease and is another thing that makes it hard to diagnose. Over the past two years I've become hesitant to share when I am having a better day as so often once I do the next day is a dramatic downturn and it's hard to explain. I never know how long it will last but I am learning more and more to just enjoy a good day for what it is. Dwelling on the fact that it won't last only saps the joy out of today.
Improvements this week:
- Much less pain and fatigue.
- During this past week I have been able to walk around the block a few days which is about a 15-20 minute walk. I can feel at the end that I'm loosing strength but I can do it!
- I have been sleeping better, most nights I have made it until 4-5am before waking. The last two nights haven't been as good but so far I still have higher than normal energy levels during the day.
- In the past week I have run a few errands alone, went to the secret sisters reveal at the church and a Lyme meet (on the same day), plus had an exhausting morning at HSC where they forgot to put my name in the system so I was redirected all over the hospital and outside until I had blisters on my feet and I could hardly stand. After that I was toast and in a fair bit of pain but a friend who babysat Brandon that day offered to stay for the rest of the afternoon so I could sleep (thank you!). I was expecting that to set me back significantly but the pain and fatigue only worsened slightly the following days. Considering it has been at least a month to six weeks since I have hardly left the house for anything else other than appointments and then have all these events in a short time and STILL feel better than my average is very good! Thank you Lord for a good week!
I'm sometimes asked about what I'm all taking and doing aside from the IVs so for those interested here is a picture of my treatment plan for the next eight weeks or so (hopefully it's readable). Having a list helps take the thinking out of it as some have to be taken at different times, away from others and multiple times a day... I also set alarms on my phone to remind me of ones I keep forgetting. The vitamins and supplements listed here are what I'm currently on but sometimes as many as double this get added off and on depending on what symptoms are flaring and what we're focusing on at the time.
We're growing a few things. Brandon is quite proud of his sunflower:
Every Spring since we moved here nearly six years ago this one lone tulip leaf comes up in the front garden. Someone at some point must have dug them up and this one bulb must have been damaged but survived. I admire it's persistence just shooting up one leaf every year so I leave it be. Earlier this week I noticed the whole thing came up this year and it actually bloomed! This comforted me somehow and made me smile. Six years and look at it's beauty :)
“Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. But
if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and
tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.
“Therefore do not be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will be anxious for itself. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble." Matthew 6:28b-34
