Wayfaring Stranger

“Oh, Josie! how can you stand it?!”

“Cool, I want one!”

“Wow, I had no  idea you were that sick!”

These are just some of the reactions I got from friends when they first laid eyes on my I.V.

So why I.V antibiotics? Well, do you remember what I said about the Lyme bacteria being spiral shaped?  From what I’ve been able to gather, this shape enables it to break the blood-brain barrier (leave the blood stream and get into tissue and cartilage).

This, as you might guess, creates a problem.  Often people are treated with only one round of antibiotics (2-4wks). This causes the bacteria to mutate, build a resistance to the antibiotic’s, and come back full force in no time.

That is why most Lyme literate Doctors recommend Long term antibiotic’s.    Now this doesn’t have to be done via I.V.   I know that there are some people out there that would do anything to keep away from needles, but I am not one of them.

When my Doctor told me that I.V  antibiotics was the best way to attack LymeD , that was all I needed to hear!

For the first time in six years I felt like I was being taken seriously.  And to be honest, it felt good to have visible proof that I was really sick.  It was amazing how much more seriously people took my sickness when they found out I had to live with an I.V. in my arm.

So that very day I had what is called a ” Midline” put in my forearm.   A midline is a semi-permanent I.V.  Midlines are longer than a normal I.V. Mine was four inches long.

I did my infusions at home.  All of my medical supplies where brought by a currier twice a week.  My routine went something like this:

Wake up at 7:00 and take my medicine bag out of the refrigerator to warm up (cold meds hurt!).

Hook the med bag up to a pump and then to me!

The whole thing fit in a purse size bag, with a small tube running from it to my arm.

My infusions lasted from 2-4 hours 5-7 days  every week.

We would switch antibiotics every 6 weeks,  so that the bacterium could not build a resistance or mutate.

Here is a picture of me ‘sporting’ my midline!

I am weak, but HE is strong!!  -Josie 

Warning: Long Winded medical discussion  forthcoming.

So I’m talking to a friend, or a relative that I haven’t seen in a long time…..

They ask: So what have you been up to?

I say:  Well, I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease last July, therefore I have been on I.V. infusions of antibiotics daily for the past six months

They say: Oh really (as they search their memory trying to think of where they could have heard of such a thing!)?

So what the heck is Lyme Disease? And why would I submit to having an I.V. in my arm for six strait months?!

Lyme Disease is a tick born infectious disease….. or rather you get it from tick bites.

L.D. is caused by a “spirochete”, a spiral shaped bacterium called Borrelia.       Lyme Disease  usually   begins with mild flu like symptoms.    If treated before it leaves the blood stream (two – three months after bite), it can often be cured with a round of antibiotics.

Two to three months after being bitten the spirochete leaves the bloodstream and enters the spinal fluid, brain, joints, and organ tissue.

At this point it is considered impossible to completely cure.

I have had L.D. for approx. seven years, so my goal is to get it into a long term remission.

Remission is when the doctor cannot find active infection (negative blood test) and the patient  has minimal to no symptoms.

(my symptoms are in green)

Symptoms of L.D. include but are not limited to:

General: Flu like symptoms including fever, fatigue, head-ache (mild to migraine-like),  sore throat, swollen lymph glands; muscle aches.

Nervous System: Nerve damage (weakness, paralysis of limbs); severe headaches; stiff neck;  meningitis; dizziness; fainting.                                   

Cranial nerve problems (change in smell/taste, difficulty swallowing, or speaking; facial paralysis; sound sensitivity; Seizures ; trouble sleeping due to pain.                                                                                 
Cognitive changes: memory problems,  confusion,  disorientation,  and trouble concentrating.

Heart: Irregular heart beats; atrial fibrillation; chest pain; and vasculitis.

Lungs: Difficulty breathing;  pneumonia;  and costochondritis.

Eyes: blurry vision;  seeing spots;  light sensitivity and eye pain.

Joints and Muscles: Migratory joint pain,  intermittent or chronic. Swelling;  TMJ and other facial pain. Muscle pain,  inflammation,  and cramps.  Neuropathy.

Stomach: Nausea;  vomiting;  loss of appetite;  unexplained weight loss or gain.

There are many other complications related to Lyme Disease.  For more information go to www.lymeinfo.net

So that is what has invaded my life!

I believe that God uses our most difficult trials for our good,  and His glory.   

Isaiah 40:31  But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles…..

(post’s on my story and treatment,  and LD prevention to come….)

Hi everyone!  I’m Josie, and this is my first time blogging, so I’m still trying to get the hang of things.

I don’t have what you would call an “ordinary life.”  God has chosen to teach me much through the sufferings of endomitriosis and currently, Lyme Disease.  I know that half of you don’t even know what those are, and part of my blog will be dedicated to awareness and understanding of these two unknown but common problems.

I want other people to learn from the pain that I’ve gone through so that God can teach them things in an easier way than he’s taught them to me.  It might be interesting to get inside the head of someone who has been taught how amazingly valuable the “normal” things in life really are.  (My friends say I’m not a morbid person–it’s just my life. )

I don’t write, and I don’t blog, and I’m rather nervous, so please be patient with my ramblings.  I will post again when I’m brave enough.