Well, we had a blast. We were on the Oregon Coast (my home) for a week, then headed to Seattle for an appointment. Both went great!
So I'll upload some pictures later and talk about Oregon then...but for now I'll update you on my Seattle trip.
Just a pre-update update....the past two months I've been on herbs only, no antibiotics. I've still felt really good, but my joints have been consistently stiff...every day. Also, there was the fact that it took me at least a week to recover from walking in DC, and my running thing...and my hair has been falling out a bit more and I've had a rash on my chest/shoulders/upper back. So all of these things I thought maybe I could explain away...but I still talked to our doctor about it.
She looked at the rash and said, "That's a bartonella rash". Bartonella is a co-infection of Lyme. We knew Clay definitely had it, but didn't really think I had it. Lyme has the same symptoms as Bartonella...so you could miss it. She looked at my past few treatment plans and realized that my LAST treatment plan (two appts ago) was treating only Lyme, and I was feeling pretty good. But this last treatment plan I was taking herbs that treat Lyme AND Bartonella, and I was having these issues. So basically it means that the herbs were working- and fighting the bartonella. BUT- now realizing that I have bartonella in me (and she says that she can see it is very little...based on my symptoms), I am back on antibiotics specifically trying to fight off that bartonella. She doesn't think it will take too long, so that is good. And we still feel like I'm pretty much rid of Lyme. So that's great! I know I don't explain all this very well...so sorry if it's confusing. It all makes sense in my head.
Clay is KINDA the same situation. She thinks he has about a year left....which would make his treatment about 3 years...and in the beginning she said 3-5 years, so I suppose that's great. We pretty much also feel like his Lyme is almost gone and that bartonella is really the one sticking around that we need to focus more on.
Overall, we are feeling really great about the appointment and feel like we are really narrowing down on this thing. Yeah, it's disappointing I'm back on antibiotics again...but I had a feeling something wasn't quite right with me still...and it all makes a lot of sense now and I'm glad I am going to be able to get rid of this last dealio! Oh- and the other great news is, our antibiotics we are on this time aren't very expensive!!! YAY! One of them was only like $10.
And...we are definitely waiting to have babies until Clay is done with treatment as well. So, not for a year or so. Just thought I'd put that information out there.
OH- and one more thing. I made a pact with a couple of my sisters to not have any sugar until Thanksgiving. I am also adding gluten to that. And no treats. So basically my goal is to not have any treats (with either sugar or natural sugar), or gluten, at ALL. Until Thanksgiving. No cheats. Why you ask? Well...basically here it is. Like I just pointed out, we can't have babies until Clay and I are better. EVERY form of sugar (even fruit), feeds this danged Lyme Disease. So...I've kinda decided that these natural treats I do...they are still feeding it. Even if it's a little bit. Or way less, it's still happening. I don't want to be fighting this thing my whole life. I want to have healthy babies. I want to have enough control over my bodily desires and taste buds, to forego a temporary pleasure in order to get what is really the most important piece of my life. I'm not here to have treats. I'm here to have a family. So...yeah. I will have a piece of Clay's birthday cake on August 15th, and I will have something on Thanksgiving. Then I'll not have anything until Christmas. Then probably nothing until my birthday. You get the picture. And you may think, why not once a week? Can't you just have one every once in a while? Well, quite frankly- NO. First off, I am not a person that can moderate my sweets. I basically can eat an entire tray of cookies in one sitting, no sweat. So...that doesn't really work. Second, it just makes it harder. If it's in my body, I want it more. Then of course the most important reason is...I don't need it...and Lyme does in order to survive. So I'd rather just starve it completely instead of giving it a weekly meal. You know? I'm pretty confident this will stick. I will still eat fruit (it has more good than bad) and my homemade larabars (walnuts, dates, cocoa). But that's the extent of my sweets. Feel bad for me all you want but honestly I just feel more powerful. I have control over my body. I love my babies. And I want to get them here soon, with strong healthy bodies.
Alright- till next time.
6 comments:
You are so STRONG. Man, you will be the cleanest eater I've ever known. I wish I could be like you. Love you. And thank you for the update.
Oh boy Danielle. You are a strong strong lady. Very faithful, very patient, very grateful. You are very positive. You could blog about all the negatives, whine, and complain, and you'd have every right to, but you don't, you just look for the good. I am extremely proud to call you my sister and wish I were more like you. I've never understood why Heavenly Father put you last, because you are a "big sister" a sister I look up to. By the way- is the no treats at all just your thing, or the sisters too? Because I thought they were going to do natural sugars, are they doing no sugars at all too? Let me know. Loved Bachelor, can't wait for the next few weeks. I love you.
Glad to hear that it was a good trip! You are so strong with the sweets! Maybe I will try for a week!
Holy crap! Scarlet has this rash on her body that won't go away! Man, the symptoms keep coming! Now I wonder if she has bartonella! I am SO ANXIOUS for her appointment. One week from today. I assumed her rash was ecsema, like me- but it sort of came out of nowhere. Man, so much to think about. I'm glad this doctor will know what she's doing. After reading your post it makes me want to cut it all out for Scarlet too! It would be easier for her. I mean, eventually she'll just stop asking. Sorry about putting off the babes longer, but I think it's wise- in the sense that it will be easier and safer for the whole fam. Clay will be a lot more helpful if he's all the way better and that will probably calm your nerves a lot more too in the whole baby making process. It would for me. I suppose the bright side is that you thankfully have time to put it off. That's a good thing. Man, I can't stop thinking about Scarlet's rash now. I wondered if MAYBE it was connected, but hadn't heard it was a symptom, so I figured she just had skin issues like me. Can't wait to hear about the trip! Glad all is well! love you!
I am so proud of you! You are an amazing woman. I know you can do this, I know your little babies are watching you and rooting for you! There was the coolest talk in conference from Richard G Scott where he talked about our families beyond the veil and how active they are in our lives. I think your babies are active in yours. When I went without sugar for almost 2 months, it was hard but I told myself that I didn't eat sugar and treats and somehow it worked. I need to get a grip again. I'm glad you got some answers. It is sad you have to go back on Antibiotics, but wonderful to know that there is something you can do to solve the problems you are having. I love you sooooo much!!! I'm thinking about what I want to do as far as the challenge goes. When I figure it out I will join in. I have a long term goal that I have wanted for a long time so maybe that will be my goal for the challenge. I need to refine it them tell you all and commit. love you!
You GO GIRL! I 100% know that you are dedicated to taking care of your body and that you will definitely accomplish this goal. Good for you, Danielle. It seriously makes me SOOOO happy to hear that you and Clay are making such good progress. I'm sorry about the antibiotics :( but it sounds temporary and that's a blessing.
On that note, we are going camping in August and I'm freaking out about ticks and Harlow. What can I do to protect her?! Does she have to wear long sleeves the whole time?
Love you!
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