6 weeks of treatment!

I have been in treatment for six weeks now.  We are noticing a huge improvement in my function, strength, pain levels and endurance.  Thank-you Lord!

 After battling against a reaction to the medication and the subsequent weight loss, I have gotten used to taking my Babesia medication (or 'paint' as we call it around here...)

  Mepron is bright yellow in colour and used to treat the co-infection Babesia, which is a parasite that often accompanies Lyme and can cause some of the worst symptoms of Lyme Disease.

BRIGHT, BIG, BOLD FLAVOUR!!

It has taken me quite awhile to sort out which medications to take when, as they need to be spaced apart for several different reasons, and taken a few times daily.  The doctor adds more medication/supplements/nutritional support weekly so I just think I have a handle on it when I get thrown a bunch more to add to the mix! There have been weeks when I could not concentrate properly because of cognitive problems from the lyme flare-ups and it was very hard to sort my medication if someone was talking or I was distracted in any way.

I have attached my medication schedule for those of you who are interested, as you can see, taking medication takes up most of my day.... It is a weird concept to be taking care of yourself and not much else all day, every day - it is not my favourite but I am looking at it as my 'job' for now...

 This is now my second week doing my medications at home.  I no longer have to go to America every day for treatment as I am well set up at home and stabilized now.

I am getting quite handy with my nursing duties - the doctor even gets me to mix my own antibiotic IV which personally I think is a little bit of a dodgy idea - but I do my best and I am here to tell the story so I mustn't be stuffing up too much!

During a Herximer Reaction (when the toxin levels rise in my body and the symptoms get much worse due to the dying off of the bacteria) I experience severe worsening of symptoms, pain in my legs, trouble breathing, extreme fatigue, nausea, blocked ears, phlem in my throat, headache, sweats....etc... As I write this I have not had a herximer for a few days.  I have a feeling the doctor will try to induce one with UV light therapy or some more medication when I go on Thursday because it is a good sign that my body is fighting the bacteria.  Not saying it is pleasant - but it helps to know the herx has a purpose.

The hyperbaric chamber is a high pressure oxygen chamber - it delivers concentrated oxygen directly to my cells.  This improves healing and helps with boosting my energy/endurance levels.  I can feel the effects of being in the chamber and because I get such improvement after being in the chamber it is one of my favourite parts of treatment!  We had some trouble at the beginning with humidity/heat in the chamber and I could only last 1.5hrs before getting extremely claustrophobic. The cooler (attached) runs the air through ice before it goes into the chamber so it keeps the heat down from the pump.  We have also figured out that leaving the air conditioner on in the room greatly helps my comfort levels.  The doctor now has me going in the chamber 2X a day for 2hrs each time.  More the merrier I guess!

I now have a hyperbaric chamber at home.  This is one of the reasons I don't have to go to the States for daily treatment - it is much more pleasant in my own environment - the people are friendly, the place is cozy and I am able to enjoy some sunshine in between treatments - in my own gorgeous backyard!  I have help daily with getting in and out of the chamber - volunteers from our church have been unbelievably accommodating - even with my constant re-working of my schedule!

Although we have been disappointed with the level and quality of communication between doctor and patient, we are learning how to communicate effectively and we are very confident in Dr P's ability as a Lyme Literate Doctor.  We love the fact that she treats the body as a whole - combining nutritional support and homeopathic remedies to compensate for the toll that the Lyme, co-infections and treatment take on the body.

It still amazes us how God directed us to Dr P's office and a diagnosis of Lyme disease.  We are not sure why He chose this time to open up a way for treatment but we are so thankful that I now have a new opportunity to regain my health! It is unbelievable how quickly things fell into place once we began to follow the Lyme trail - God has had a hand in it all.  Praise the Lord!

"Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed,    for his compassions never fail.They are new every morning;    great is your faithfulness." Lam 3:22-23