EHCD week 1

So I am 4 days into Detox (I get a kick out of saying that) and well nothing is detoxed yet. I didn't realize the testing process would be so long, intensive or hard for me to tolerate. So it will likely take longer than expected. I have to get through testing before I can order antigen treatment (takes about 2 weeks to get that). The antigens will help me slowly rid the body of what it is I'm allergic to like molds etc. The doctor thinks I will need antigen shots (likely) a couple years, but really it's until I'm better. I am still waiting on some blood work tests to see if I would benefit from other treatments there like oxygen therapy, gamaglobulin, ALF. And still figuring out what all those are/do/cost. I should get my blood test results and know more about that tomorrow. I expect I will be a candidate for a few things, but will have to decide if it's worth the cost. I have started IV vitamins, glutathione etc to help my symptoms. 

So I mentioned I'm not better (yet). Testing the molds is hard for me to tolerate. Literally the first one I did skin testing on I thought I was going to pass out. I got really dizzy, a bad headache and worse body pains. I couldn't think the rest of the afternoon. For that reason I am spacing my mold testing out so I'm not on the floor :) 

Meanwhile I have continued to stay off my antibiotics under my own decision. I am going to share what I am doing right now, but please don't judge me, period. Unless you have lived what I am going through you have no idea..nuff said. So I am self educating on lots of things right now, or trying to. Lyme herbals, herbal protocols, essential oils, biofilm treatments and protocols (as I am chronic). It's overwhelming but I will have help soon. I am going to a very well experienced Lyme Literate Naturopathic Doctor next week to help guide me. Back to what I am doing now, since stopping antibiotics I feel certainly no worse, and maybe a tad better. I decided to go back on OTC citricidal and biofilm defense recommended by another Naturopath I have seen. I also just got A-Bart a powerful liquid to treat bartonella. I have taken it 2 days and boy that stuff is strong! One drop..that's all it takes and all I've got for now. I decided I wanted to start Lyme treatments again, listening carefully to my body, while doing the environmental treatment because I don't feel like the environmental stuff is all of the puzzle. And I want to get 100%. Or at least in the all A's you know what I'm saying!?! I am off work, which is weird by the way, and focused on fully healing myself. I would also prefer to start something new and get a bad first herx done and over before I go back to work. I think about my patients and co-workers a lot. I'll be back soon enough! 

I just started some doing some sauna and exercise (to tolerance) again which I am excited about. It's slow and I'm not the patient type but I have learned my lessons on when to stop from pushing too hard in the past. I want my FULL strength back. Or I'll take some more for now at least!

On a positive note I have zero allergic reaction the dogs. Not that I would ever get rid of my healing buddy Bear :) He is a little shy for pictures lol

I hope everyone has a blessed week! 

-Tara 

"Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and will not be afraid; for Jehovah, even Jehovah, is my strength and song; and he is become my salvation."

Isaiah 12:2 ASV

Recharged and ready for more

Well I am back from vacation and MAN did I need it. It was the best week of my life so far, and I can't describe how grateful I am for having the opportunity to go. I had a big improvement in my symptoms and I soaked up every second of the sun, beach and water. I left for my trip tired, losing my strength physically and mentally to fight. I was runing on fumes and desperate to build up some kind of immune system before starting detox. So I stopped antibiotics. I have been off my oral antibiotics now for over 3 weeks after giving them 4 months. I was tired of continuing to feel worse. The thing about this disease is there is not a manual that works for everyone. So I am learning to listen to my body and signs from God to guide my health decisions. I felt like I could not take one more blow or thing making me worse so I stopped the antibiotics. The IV injections I got (megativamen, hydrogen peroxide and glutathione) before leaving for vacations definately helped too. For the out if pocket cost it better! I am so glad I got a reminder of some much needed normalcy and living on my vacation and now I am ready to fight again! BRING IT ON.

Tomorrow I start at the Environmental Health Center of Dallas (EHCD) that I have posted about before. I'm anxious and excited, and don't like having to take FMLA from work. But something must be done. I can't financially afford to go, but my health can't afford not to go if you know what I mean. Thank you so much for those thay have continued to donate to my fundraiser. I am blessed to say my expenses for tomorrow (I start at 930 and will be there all day) should be entirely covered! I will stretch the money as far as possible, but if you have been procrastinating and want to donate now is the time!

Here is the link:

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

If anyone is interested, I found this chart that has a pretty good breakdown of symptoms for Lyme and different co-infections. 

http://lymediseaseaustralia.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/9z-comparison-lyme-disease-and-co-infections-symptom-chart.pdf 

A good article I found that studied Lyme and the disability affects compared to other chronic and severe diseases: 

http://lymedisease.org/news/lyme_disease_views/news-largest-survey-of-chronic-lyme-finds-high-disability-unemployment-medical-costs.html

Wish me luck tomorrow!! Here is one of the sunset pics from my trip. Love,

Tara

14 Heal me, O Jehovah, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved: for thou art my praise. (Jeremiah 17:14 ASV)

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