Small steps...

July 3 2014

My Candida symptoms are improving slowly and I am able to come home and administer my own IV therapy here for the weekend as it is a public holiday in America tomorrow and the border will be very busy.  I have had a lot of nausea today, apparently from running my IV meds through too quickly.  Ideally I should be hooked up for most of the day.... 

I am confident that the doctor I am seeing knows what she is doing and is able to stabalize my flare-ups quite quickly.  Unfortunately she struggles to have a pleasant bedside manner and needs to work on her communication skills but we are very grateful to be receiving quality help so quickly.  

My Canadian doctor has not been able to help very much with ordering the necessary bloodwork/ultrasounds that I require consistently as she is worried about her answering to the Canadian government.  I am aware that other doctors are able to prescribe the necessary bloodwork etc. so I will speak to her again about this and if necessary look into finding a new family doctor who can work beside me in treating this condition.

I am seeing improvement in my energy levels overall and some of my inner spark is coming back.  We are confident that the treatment is working, despite the unfortunate setbacks and side-effects of the medications.  

We enjoyed having the children home on Canada Day and with my mum here to help us out and spoil her grandkids, they were happy to have a home day and spend time together as a family.  The children have adjusted very well to coming and going between our home and others, we are so thankful that the transitions are smooth as they still cannot be home at this time.  They were singing and humming on the day they were home so we know that they are happy.  Thank-you Lord for taking concern for the children off our list of worries!  I am enjoying my mum's company and to her credit she has even braved joining me in sampling some of my outrageously bland meal compositions...

Our deepest thanks to all of you who have helped us out in so many ways.  We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from our family and friends.  The children are well taken care of in stable home environments, our house is always spic and span, meals have been provided when needed, help with finances allows treatment to be possible.  It is amazing to experience the community of believers pulling together as God intends and lending various abilities, talents and gifts to help us out!  God is Good and we are so thankful to have Him beside us in this journey... 

....Tyson checking for the `bugs``.....LOVE!!

We continue to covet your prayers.

With love,

Roze & Eric, Damon, Alanah, Tyson

CANDIDA

Tuesday 1st July 2014

Yesterday saw a pretty big setback for me.
I have been cruising along nicely with treatment, picking up in energy, less pain, improvement in my joint strength.  Yesterday I woke up and tried to take a swallow of water.  To my horror I realized that my throat was closing up and my epiglottis so extended that I was practically swallowing it!  Because I am not able to be treated for Lyme in Canada we were in a bit of a panic.  Drive 1.5 hours to the States for help or risk emergency room locally?  I was having trouble breathing but my symptoms appeared stable so we hurried off to Buffalo to seek help from my doctor there.

The doctor has concluded that I have developed a yeast infection called Candida.  It is a common side infection from being on high doses of antibiotics and brought on by an inadequate amount of probiotics and triggered by any form of sugar.  Apparently the blueberries and raspberries on my 'safe list' were not safe for me to eat!  I also suspect that the fructose in one of my supplements has contributed to the problem......

Doctor P was able to reduce the swelling in my throat with anti-histamine and we have begun treating the yeast infection - which has spread through my body (produced by an overabundance of yeast in the intestines - it seeks the opportunity to reproduce abundantly when the immune system is repressed through antibiotics).  Unfortunately this is a nasty infection to treat and will set us back a few weeks.  It also means that we are unable to attack the co-infection Babesia, which I contracted along with Lyme, until  this has cleared sufficiently.  So, I have a few more medications to add to my repertoire.... As my immune system is not working very well at the moment I will need to stay away from people with colds or viruses or smokers.  Please don't take offense but I can't afford to catch any other illnesses right now. 

I have also knocked all fruits off my 'safe food' list, which now leaves me with certain vegetables and meats that I am allowed.  I have lost 10lbs in 7 days.  The doctor has now given me a 4 day rotation diet which gives me only about 5 options daily of foods that I can choose from.  Eating is no longer fun and I often feel nauseous.  Coupled with my lack of energy, I do bare bones cooking and just try to get through the meal.  Food has lost its appeal but it is necessary to keep up strength for treatment and recovery.

**FYI - THIS WAS THE MOST DISGUSTING ``PANCAKE`` THAT I HAVE EVER EATEN.  I choked it down (after all it was fuel that I needed for the day) but I will NÒT be making it again in the future or adding it to my Lyme diet cookbook....**

We stopped by the Grand Oak market in Vineland as I had been told they sell sugar and gluten free products. We had met the owner/chef and his wife at a wedding about a month earlier when we sat at a table with them.  The chef sat down with me for over 1/2 hr to chat about meal options and ways to spice up cooking.  He showed Eric some techniques and gave us a heap of vegies to take home!  Isn't it amazing how God directs the small details?  Meeting with Jan-Willem and Jane gave us a boost and renewed commitment to find ways to be creative with food on such a limited diet.  

....my favourite day - beef!!

Eric has put in an astounding effort to help me with my diet and managed to make eating (fairly) delicious and fun - despite all the restrictions and blandness of the food....XOX