Lyme Doctor #2?

I met a new doctor that has been treating Lyme for 14 years this week. So far I'm impressed. I am getting IV megavitamins right now and tomorrow will get hydrogen peroxide and glutathione IV's. Which like everything it seems that can help me, is not covered by insurance. But I'll try anything to help me feel alive before vacation! I want to play in the water, walk on sand and heaven forbid even play a little sand volleyball (I hope!). I need life breathed back into this 92 feeling 29 year old body!

Not only is having Lyme really, I mean REALLY tough at times, but the very FEW doctors that treat it have different approaches and opinions on what works and what doesn't. You really have to learn to be your own patient advocate, do your homework and then just try what the expert thinks. If it doesn't work it's on to the next I suppose. And hope you don't run out of options or go bankrupt before finding what helps. (No joke) I've got more researching and listening to my body to do before I figure out which Lyme doctor I go with after my trip. And after my trip I start my detox treatments at Environmental Health Center Dallas. I am trying to be more excited about the possibility of improvement but the super heavy financial burden weighs on me. Oh well, can't take money with you when you die right?! 

Unrelated to my health, I said goodbye to my last living Grandfather this past weekend. I am glad he is in a better place but he sure will be missed. I plan to bring him home a vial of sand to keep by his ashes since he played pro baseball out in Florida back in his day. Love you gramps! 

So here is to hoping my IV's today and tomorrow make a BIG difference! I will be happy with any, I mean any help. I feel like I'm running on fumes here lol!

Hope everyone has a blessed day!

Love,

Tara

14 Salute one another with a kiss of love. Peace be unto you all that are in Christ. (1 Peter 5:14 ASV)

4th Doctor visit and what's next

Last Monday I went to my 4th visit with my LLMD (Lyme literate medical doctor). I came fully armed with research and a lot of questions. Here's the summary:

1.) BARTONELLA

Or also referred to as BLO (Bartonella like organisms) in the Lyme world, and aka cat scratch fever. This is one of the common co-infections that gets transmitted with Lyme. Or I guess you can get it from a scratch of an infected animal and some sources say mites, and I forget what other biting insects. It comes with it's own symptom list that can be as bad or even worse than Lyme. My doc and I are pretty certain I have this and it is the reason my feet feel like I'm standing on fire everyday. We had not addressed this yet medically (no treatment for it yet). So we switched one antibiotic for another of my cocktail of 3 as well as added a (expensive of course) neutraceutical. Hopefully I won't herx too bad with the change up. 

2.) CHELATION THERAPY

I had been on this over 2 months, about 2 and 1/2 months now using DMSA to pull out my heavy medals. This is likely another big reason (along with unaddressed bartonella) that I was getting worse. I can not tolerate chelation, it's too hard on me so we decided to stop. This girl's gotta be able to keep working. 

3.) THE MOLD AND MEDAL "ONION"

My LLMD feels strongly that with my toxic mold and heavy medals we cannot get down to the root of the problem, the Lyme. It was explained to me to think of it like an onion, the outer layer is the mold and medals and you can't get down to the Lyme inside until you fully address and eliminate those. We have tried the longer slower less expensive route and I could not tolerate it. So my doc wants to me to go to THE expert in environmental medicine that as I understand it, created this detox program that is suppose to be one of the best.

4) ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH CENTER OF DALLAS

www.ehcd.com

This is where I need to go next to do intensive detox for molds and medals. Basically you go there every day and do what you need like a 9-5 thing Monday-Friday or Saturday (and I'm complicated so probably a few weeks) until your better. Sounds great right?! Well this place is not in network with any insurance so you have to pay upfront cash/charge. They don't even offer payment plans nor care credit card. And depending on how much you do/need it can add up very quickly. A very rough estimate of what it could end up costing me for all I would need to help me is 10k-20k. Here is their estimate price sheet:

The possibility of this place in my future what my biggest reason I started my fundraiser recently. I have a lot of medical debt charged already, and I will probably open a new credit card where I can get no interest for a year to use at EHCD. I start the second week of September. I have researched to see if other places provide similar programs and are covered by insurance. The only other options I found are also cash based. If anyone knows of any places that have programs similar please let me know. To give to my fundraiser and help me get the next treatment I need to get better see my page:

https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/tara-s-lyme-fight-fund/213367

Thanks again for all your love and support! 

Tara

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts; And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting."

Psalm 139:23-24 ASV

I call this, but you look so normal

My favorite compliment is you look so normal, you don't look sick! Makes me wonder if I should have went into acting :) but I was far too shy growing up to do that! Luckily I grew out of a lot of it. I just wanted to try and share bits and pieces of a day in my Lyme life..

This is what I spend at least 30 minutes or more preparing each weekend for the upcoming week. It is one week of the Meds and suppliments I have to take.

This is my box of stuff I take. I pull from each bottle to sort my week ahead. I made a speadsheet now to follow with all I take on it each day. Otherwise I can't keep track of how much of what all to take when.

Then I transfer one day's worth of pills to this handy container I keep in my purse. It saves me from forgetting to take the Meds when I was at home and left before taking them or something like that. Lessons learned!

My wild and crazy Saturday nights. Don't be jealous! :)

Since I like to end on a positive note, here is me and cutie Cade. My nephews are better medicine than any bottle can provide :) 

There, a now doesn't that face just make you feel better?! (Not mine haha)

I go to my Lyme doctor tomorrow for a follow up visit and I am praying for some changes in my plan that make a difference. Thank you for those that have already donated, your contributions will go toward my cost of my appointment tomorrow! To donate please see the link in my last post. 

Love,

Tara

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. The Lord is my partion...therefore I hope in him!"

La 3:22-24 NKJV

Fundraising website

I made the hard decision to make a donation site to help with my Medical bills. If you are interested check it out here:


https://www.youcaring.com/medical-fundraiser/tara-s-lyme-fight-fund/213367


Tara

Is there a science experiment growing in your body?

A science experiment growing inside me is the first thing that comes to mind when I hear talk about toxic mold in your body aka "mycotoxins"

Apparently this can really be a big problem for people, and well it looks like you can add me to the list. Because if it's weird or rare I am a pro at having it apparently! (Pardon the sarcasm) On a serious note I got mycotoxin testing done through Real Time Laboratories in Carrollton, TX. All you have to do is get a test kit and mail them your pee. Oh and fork up $700 (big ouch) that insurance doesn't re-imburse you for. 

I tested positive for Trichothecene Group. Not sure what that means but I just started reading an article my LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor) sent me about Mold. And I quote "Trichothecenes are considered extremely toxic and have been used as biological warfare agents" Great!! That sounds fun..yeah can you get this stuff out of me please?!

I was told the mold can possibly cause many of the symptoms and issues I'm currently having so the doc wants me to see a specialist to do an intensive mold detox program. So this is the latest area of research and studying and possibly (likely) going to pursue medically. It's always interesting seeing what road this disease and journey to wellness leads me down next, but MAN is it exhausting. 

My life now is: doctor appointments, refer to new specialist, do paperwork for new doc, fax paperwork, find old medical records, re-fax since they didn't get them, submit claim to insurance for back pay which come to find out I won't get any, order supplements, keep track of multiple supplement inventory and order before running out, sort huge pill box for the weekly Meds, make all food from house because of strict clean non/toxic diet, read about nutrition, methylation/MTHFR, Lyme treatment protocols, mold and heavy medal detox protocols, try to get lots of prayer and worship in because Lord knows how oh so bad I need it right now, workout, pass out from working out when I was too exhausted or pushing too hard, sauna, get massage/body work (not complaining about that part!) to help muscle and joint pain, grocery shop for picky healthy foods only at certain stores so got to go to them separately and in time to not run out of my favorites, place farmer's market orders in advance so they have what I want saved and don't run out, cry because I can hardly walk and have to push myself up to stand, pay medical bills, stress over how the heck am I gonna pay for all this, order RX refills, call because the MD wrote for the wrong RX amount (twice, and with the same med)...then add in any work stress, family stress, other life stress and my cup is feeling pretty darn full. Ok it feels past full..

I apologize for complaining so much tonight but I am so exhausted and so worn out from all of this taking a toll on me. This is me and my life right now. And it's not getting better...YET 

I just keep reaching new lows knowing that my uphill just has to be coming soon. Literally, I'm not sure I can take much more, but I do know that I WAS BORN FOR THIS. I was born the take it. 

So I end my post tonight with IS THAT THE BEST YOU GOT LYME?!! Cause you're gonna have to try a heck of a lot harder to take me down :) 

-side note, sorry to my closest loved ones I have broken down on, complained to and possibly copped and attitude with recently. 😱 Thank you so much for your love, support and understanding! And remember your prayers under agreement with my prayers bring miracles into action:

Matthew 18:19-20

"Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for them by the Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them."

Peace and love,

Tara

I was right

My Igenex Lyme test was positive.

Happy friday friends. 

3 months and counting

Well it has been 3 months now since I started treatment. 

First off, who has time to blog?! I have really been slacking lately, because I still have so much I want to share about Lyme. Like anywhere from 40-60%-ish (different sources have diff numbers) of suffers don't remember being bit by a tick. I don't. And other sources say Mosquitos or other biting or blood sucking insects can also transmit. I shared an article recently of a collaboration of testing across big Texas Universities testing ticks throughout Texas and northern Mexico. And ticks had lyme, and based on our climate they are here to stay. Here's the article:

http://bionews-tx.com/news/2014/06/25/lyme-disease-bacteria-now-endemic-to-texas-likely-to-stick-around-study-finds/

 One day I will get around to saying all I want to say. But I have been busy re-claiming my life and learning how to balance living it and listening to what my body needs. I'm doing what's best for me right now. Well trying to :) It's a learning process. And a lot of times that means doing something else besides posting. However, I do get called to share things and after what happened today I couldn't resist. 

I have been struggling the last several weeks with my symptoms. Overall I am not really sure I can say I have made a lot or possibly any progress compared to before starting treatment. I have definitely gotten better at managing it with various tools and tricks I have learned, but my pain still sucks and my fatigue isn't where I would like it to be. Being the person I am I keep pushing to do more and go go go. Maybe it's just been catching up with me more. On to my story I wanted to share:

I woke up this morning feeling bad. Like have to help push myself up from a seated position with my arms, I literally bear crawled up and down the stairs bad. (Nice visual huh?!) The kinda day where you have the strength to basically lay in bed all day. Which I haven't been that bad since the whole "it gets worse before better" (aka herx reaction) after first starting Meds. I normally go to the 10am service at my church. Today I opted to watch online. It's amazing how God plans his ways to work in your life when you need it most. The service today was about rejoicing in God always and especially in harder times. We should praise him as though he has already brought you through your tough time or already answered your prayers having faith he will. Praise him and be happy that you have a faithful servant God. Well I was hearing the message and by then bawling and crying out. I started praising and worshiping God and then I heard it in the clearest voice: "Stand up my child." God had spoken to me. I stood and immediately started feeling better and stronger. I got more energy and knew I was going to able to finish the day as I originally intended (going to my nephew's soccer game, then aunt and uncles house to see family etc). His words were calm, stern yet gentle. Get up my child. And I am so grateful for this day he has brought me feeling better!

It's always a little hard for me opening up and sharing so deeply but I know it's for a reason somewhere somehow. I hope you choose to praise God today because MAN HE IS GOOD! Can I get an Amen?!!  

Thanks for following my progress, and feel free to comment or ask questions is you have any! Ps no test results yet, not sure why they are taking so long. Have a blessed Sunday everybody 

Love,

Tara

1 Peter 6-7:

"In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer, grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuiness of your faith - of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire - may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed."