New Treatment Plan

Change of Plans:

I had my last check up about 2 weeks ago. Had a seizure in the nurse's office before seeing the doctor. He came in the room and saw the seizure in real life and because this has been going on for so long he decided to change my treatment plan. Most of Dr. P's neurological Lyme patients follow a protocol of 2 weeks on antibiotics and 1 week off. Each round should get easier and less painful for the patient. I wasn't getting better.  

Currently I'm doing 2 weeks on antibiotics, 2 weeks off. We have seen a decrease in seizures. Although they do happen. I seem to get them when I'm around people, like at the clinic or when people come over. I hate that because the "old Robin" loved being around people! I want people to know that I care about them and want to talk, but my nervous system can't always handle it. I even have seizures on occasion when I'm talking to Ken and Mom or Dad. It's crazy. Overall we've seen improvements over the last 2 weeks. I'm now on my 2 weeks off. We are hopeful about this new treatment plan. 

High Hopes: 

I always get my hopes up. I think that the weeks off will be better. Day one has been difficult but I managed to get up for about an hour or so to take pictures for our Etsy shop. Oh the things I took for granted. It's amazing how making 1 card makes me smile so much. It's the little thing that I treasure now because of the situation. I never thought life would be this way. I didn't know that a person could feel razor blades and knives in their back. So many people in the world are suffering. They are feeling razor blades as I am right now. I don't mean to complain about the pain (although I often have an unthankful heart). I talk about the pain because I want to get the word out about Lyme and how it affects people's lives.

Many friends encourage me through email, FB or text and it means so much. 

Here's my main support group :) 

My supportive husband. Thankful for a faithful man

Still like to goof around

Mom's side of the fam at Teresa and Danny's wedding. They are so loving. 

Shine brightly and pray for Lyme patients around the world!

-Robin 

Life Changer Part 1: What was going on before

First an update:

Lately it's been a horrible ride with Lyme, bartonella, babesia, etc. I really don't have answers to why my body is crumbling. I just have to believe what the doc and other patients say about the antibiotics...you get worse before you get better. The antibiotics are causing hair loss now but we're hoping that will clear up.  All these crazy symptoms keep me from going out or holding conversations with people most of the time. major bummer. 

When people ask me how I got sick I really don't know where to begin or if they really want to sit through an hour monologue of me trying to explain what happened. We aren't even exactly sure how I got to this state but we do know a lot. I'll try to break it down. 

What I was up to before my body was invaded: 

-Basketball

-Volleyball

-Tennis 

-Golfing with Dad

-Skiing adventures

-Getting to know all kinds of people

-Missions Trips (traveling. yikes! that word scares me now)

-Jumping off waterfalls on one of those trips

-Singing 

-Piano

-Taking chill pills for trying to be the best

-Hanging out with friends

-Shopping

-Laughing

-Enjoying life 

Old school pic at Kristin's house

Just jotting these memories down brings a smile to my face. I remember the good times but I don't remember what it feels like to live a day without pain. I guess when you're healthy you don't think about how easy it is to get around and do pretty much anything you want. I'm learning I took so many things for granted...like driving a car, among other things.

Those times and that person were about to be stripped away. Our family would never be the same after summer 2006 missions trip to Honduras. More on that in Part 2 of the Life Change. 

The days are going by and I lay in bed feeling like my life is wasted. But it's not. Dad reminded Ken and I tonight that our faith in what God's doing is something we can do at all times. Lying in bed or running a marathon we can still have faith in God's plan. So like Job, I doubt and question but I know in my heart that there is something bigger, something outside of myself in all of this misery. I would highly recommend Don't Waste Your Life by John Piper...need to read it again. 

"Hope in God, oh my soul. He is strong, and He is strong to save. He's a mighty fortress"

*Robin