What Is Lyme?

Let me tell you a little about Lyme Disease.

This disease can destroy a person. I was someone who loved the outdoors, was happy, and within moments everything changed. 10 years I’ve lived with this dreadful disease. For 6 of those years I had no idea what was going on.

Take a look at some of the symptoms I’ve dealt with over the years…

• Chronic acne
• Brainfog
• Memory loss
• Random rashes
• Hair loss
• Mood Changes
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Blurred Vision
• Numbness in legs when walking
• Chronic fatigue
• Thyroid disease-Hashimoto Hypothyrodism
• Light sensitivity
• Back pain
• Neck pain
• Join pain all over my body
• Bruised knees randomly

Those are just a few of the symptoms that I know about. Since coming to Envita I have learned that Lyme is a disease that is going to try and tear apart your body bit by bit until it succeeds.

Everyone says that when you get bit by a tick you get a bullseye rash.

FALSE.

I did not have a bullseye rash. I just woke up one morning feeling tired, kept failing tests after studying for hours, and my legs would go numb and bruise when I walked. Not normal stuff if you ask me.

But you may keep asking…What Is Lyme?

Lyme disease comes when you are bit by a tick (or other insects but I’m not getting into that right now). Some get flu-like symptoms, joint pain and weakness all over your body might occur. Those who find the bite right away can be put on medication right away and be fine but those who don’t can go into Chronic Lyme disease and have some serious effects such as fatigue, muscle pain, cognitive dysfunction, joint damage, brain and nerve issues, and heart disease. When I was 19 before I was diagnosed with Lyme I was diagnosed with arthritis in my hands and knees. I thought the doctor was crazy until I came to Envita. Apparently Lyme Arthritis is a real thing.

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Crazy Fact: Lyme is the number one disease out there that is misdiagnosed with other diseases. The most common is Multiple Sclerosis also known as, "MS".

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Lyme took over my life 10 years ago, but over the past 2 years I have been working at taking my life back just didn’t know how exactly. I am learning to be more confident in myself and reading God’s Word, even if I have to force myself some days. I am not letting Lyme win! This is MY life and it will take time, but I am going to take MY life back. It won’t be today or tomorrow but when you see me singing on the mountain side in Austria you will know I am there. (Just like Julie Andrews in Sound of Music, if you didn’t know).

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“The Lord is my shepherd; I have all that I need.” Psalm 23:1

God cares for us and is constantly with us. It might have just taken me to come to Arizona for me to realize that but I see it with my eyes that God is with me. I still have good and bad days, just ask my mom who has been here from the very beginning. I’m not the easiest patient but it’s also been hard being away from my fiancé and friends and family.

I have put all my trust in my Shepherd and I know He WON’T let me down.

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“No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Joshua 1:5

Things to be Praying for:

• To start seeing improvement in feeling better, my body to heal.
• My walk with God and my mental state to keep improving

Praises:

• I just passed my halfway marker. 4 MORE WEEKS!
• I get to see Jeremy in 24 days if all goes to “plan.”
• I get to come home and GET MARRIED!!!
• My sister is coming to visit in a week and a half!! 🙂