Yesterday I posted about my friend Shelley’s journey with Lyme disease and the importance of self-advocacy. If you missed it you can read it here. Today I bring you part 2. I asked Shelley a few more questions to inspire my Small Daily Habits community to tune into their bodies and find their voice.
What Made You Go the Natural Route?
Lyme is not widely recognized and accepted in the western medicine world. I had 2 negative Lyme tests through Quest and was told that testing through those labs is not accurate and their tests are antiquated. Also, there’s a difference in treatment methods with acute Lyme where you can go on antibiotics if you have a tick bit or bullseye and chronic Lyme that has been dormant in your system for years. Antibiotics cannot get into the deep tissues of your body.
What Timeframe Did It Take to Get from Your First Visit to the Dr. to Seeing a Naturopath?
My first symptom was August 2021 and I went to my Lyme Literate doctor in March 2022. From what I hear from other people, that’s not too bad. Some people go to 20-30 doctors before getting a diagnosis.
What did your day to day look like when you were at your worst? What does it look like today?
From December 2021 through July 2022 was my worst time but when I was at rock bottom, I would come home from work and collapse on the floor. There were days when I was crawling up the stairs. Getting out of bed in the morning was pure agony. My body hurt so bad all the time and the fatigue was something I had never experienced. I would just lie on the couch half the day, get up and do a few things and then have to rest. My goal was to be able to walk around the block.
Today I am more energetic and don’t need to rest. My hips and lower back still hurt, and I am not able to do all my activities like hiking in the White Mountains, but I will take the small wins every day over what I was like at my worst.
What made the biggest difference in getting you from your worst to today?
Advocating for myself, Tom and my small circle of friends that supported me every day. There were days when I just cried but I also knew a negative mindset was not going to help my healing. So, I nourished my body with good food, rested when necessary, set boundaries on negative energy and knew that I would get better eventually.
What would you share with someone who was just diagnosed with Lyme disease?
Find a reputable Lyme literate doctor and advocate for yourself. Never give up and do your research—find people who you trust that have first-hand experience and stay positive.
A big thank you to Shelley
Thank you so much Shelley for sharing your story with us. You have inspired me to be diligent in listening to my body and what it is telling me. If you or someone you know if experiencing on-going symptoms that just don’t feel right, listen to your body and advocate for yourself! If you need me to lend an ear, I’m happy to listen to your story. I am not a Dr. but I can definitely help you talk it through and decide on next steps.
Wishing you much love, health, and happiness,
Christine
PS: Speaking of next steps. Don’t forget to join my goal setting call at 9am EST today! Zoom link. Meeting ID 794 7231 2551
PPS: In case you missed it yesterday and want to get a head start on your 2024 goals begin with my free mindset workbook. And if you are ready to dive into coaching with me you can sign up for that here. I hope to help you beyond your wildest dreams in 2024!
