One of us is herxing and exhausted from treatments, the other is sad and homesick. We made a great pair for a few days. :)
The clinic performs fairly extensive testing to get a good picture of their patient's overall health. This helps them build an individualized treatment plan. Here are some of the results I'm comfortable with sharing:
● Above normal hemoglobin (a type of red blood cell). My result exceeds even what a male's high limit should be. This is usually due to low blood oxygen from poor lung and/or heart function. The body will increase hemoglobin to supply the body with enough oxygen.
We knew from a previous lung function test that my lungs are weak, and also that I've acquired some heart abnormalities in the last few years. We did not know it was resulting in low blood oxygen so this is more recent. At this point we do not know how much of this is caused by the active Lyme infection and how much is due to permanent damage to the organs. Future testing will need to be done to monitor this.
● Pancreas function is poor. Pancreatic secretions are too strong which irritate the intestinal tract. This in turn causes damage to the intestines resulting in poor absorption of nutrients.
● Liver function is poor. This is resulting in compromised detoxing and a build up of estrogen.
● Positive for digestive tract bacterial infection, which is also causing an asymptomatic UTI.
● Vitamin C is low. This is odd to us, I take a lot of vitamin C. My digestive tract may not be absorbing it. I've now been put on a liquid form that is easier to digest.
● MOLD - I have high levels of the mycotoxin Ochratoxin A (OTA) in my body. OTA mold causes adverse effects on the functioning of the immune system and has adverse effects on the brain, causing significant oxidative damage to multiple brain regions.
Exposure is primarily through contaminated foods (cereals, grape juices, dairy, wine, spices, dried vine fruit, and coffee) and from inhalation exposure in water-damaged buildings.
Treatment is aimed at removing exposure and as studies have shown OTA is present in sweat, the regular use of an infrared sauna increases removal of the mold.
We are aware of having water damage in both of our bathrooms, and possibly more as we've found mold under the carpet in our basement which we tried to remove several years ago. The previous owners of our house had a flooded basement once and replaced the carpet, but clearly was not dry enough before doing so. We will take action to make our house a healthier environment for me (and the rest of the family).
Diet Changes:
No gluten, dairy, or sugar. This helps starve the bacteria in my body which main food source is sugar. This diet maintained long term will also help heal my digestive tract and Lord willing aid in my recovery if He so graciously allows these treatments to be successful.
How am I managing this diet with such limited time and energy? My sisters Sherene and Rebekah have made me on-plan healthy individual meals for the freezer so all I need to do is pull one out in the morning and heat it in the oven at dinner time. The clinic I receive treatment at has also partnered with a company that basically does the same thing to ensure them that their patients are eating well, even when they go home sick and exhausted. They've stressed several times that diet is essential to success. I've ordered some of these as well so my sisters aren't cooking for every meal.
A few supplements I need to take daily. My medication chart/schedule is growing by the week, my brother in law Matthew calls it my menu, lol.
Daddy (Kyle) and 'Uncle' Chris sent Lucas and Brandon some toys from home and a few extra goodies to cheer them up and help with their homesickness. How thoughtful!! You can see by their faces they were thrilled!!!
This treatment is intense, and I am tired, but I am so thankful for being blessed with this opportunity, for the answers we are being given in regards to my health, for how abundantly we are being provided for, for how well everything has fallen into place, and for the overwhelming support and prayers for our family and my sisters family while they host us.
Ephesians 3:17-21.
"And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."
