Car Magnets!!

You know you want one of these rad car magnets.... sturdy high quality vinyl.  $6.00  Check them out here at my etsy shop!  

Alright everyone, ALL US STATES ARE NOW AVAILABLE to buy in bulk of $10.  Use the extra ones to give away to friends, or to sell as a fund raiser for yourself.  If you have support groups, take them to your support groups!  Help spread awareness for Lyme Disease in ALL states!! (Individual magnets are coming very soon.)  Click Here to Look at Them!  And Please Share!

I'm working on adding more things to the shop, including individual state car bumper stickers.  I'm trying to raise money for myself to help pay for the treatments.  These magnets are great for awareness and they stick on the car really well.  I've had one on this car since December, and they've never fallen off (okay once during a REALLY aggressive car wash.)  The one I've had since December hasn't even faded at all either!  Anyways, please share, help me raise some money and get this awesome magnet in return!  Thanks!

Personal Battle

This week has been very difficult for me. Earlier this week I went to see my doctor about a crunching noise I've had in my back for as long as I could remember. It isn't popping, it's literally at least 10-15 crunch sounds whenever I straighten my upper back and neck. Expecting only that my posture is bad, and an easy fix I was kind of blown away when the doctor told me I have a minor case of scoliosis. She said instead of my spine being curved, it is twisted at the base of my skull and upper back.

This is a difficult thing for me to swallow.  Especially all the research I did asking other lyme patients and though research papers, that this might actually be Lyme disease twisting and disfiguring my back.

This stress was packed on pretty high with my mom and I. Then yesterday my mom and I let something two incredibly ignorant and insignificant people put us over the edge. Being as upset as we were about the previous days diagnosis of a corkscrewed spine, a simple comment from these lying, trashy, selfish people, one who we have known forever as nothing other than a scamming attention seeker, really upset us both. The stress the situation put on me triggered a migraine worse than I've had in years. The last time I had a migraine of this magnitude, I ended up in the ER 6 years ago. Then I started vomiting. Non-stop, violent for 7 hours straight, until I could finally fall asleep. This morning at 6 am, I was in so much pain I could barely walked. My knees wouldn't move, my hips were frozen, and the pain throughout my body was insane. Luckily, after falling asleep again, I woke up in my normal range on the pain scale, but still am currently a bit nauseous. 

But I've learned a lesson. The reason people like myself get so upset by simple reasons is because we still grasp to care about these people. Even after everything the person who triggered all this stress has put me, and their family, in over the years, all the pain and hurt this person has caused, a couple months ago when this person called me with relationship trouble and needing someone to talk to I did not hesitate to offer this person any possible help I could give them. I am a compassionate person, as is my mom. We bend over backwards for people who never show gratitude, or even an equal amount of love. Lesson learned; those who aren't worth it, we need to accept they aren't worth it. These people will never care, they aren't heartfelt people, and they have very little to no compassion for anyone. Instead of striving to get people to love me who don't, this energy needs to focus on the people who do love me!

Last night I was in so much pain, I actually wished I wouldn't wake up. I truly actually hoped... But today I realize if I would have passed, it would have only been a mistake. I love the people who are there for me, and I couldn't possibly, now, care any less about the people who don't.

Scoliosis and Lyme

For the last several years I've been having issues with my back.  My upper neck and between my shoulders constantly hurts, and when I move my neck there is a bunch of crunching and crackling noises.  I finally went to the doctor today about it.

It turns out that I have a very mild case of scoliosis.  Not the type that my back is curved, but it is actually twisted at the top of my neck.  I'm starting physical therapy soon for it, but of course, it has me thinking a lot.  Is there a connection between Lyme Disease and scoliosis?  Of course there is a possibility that it has absolutely no connection at all with Lyme Disease, but I have this gut feeling that someway, somehow there is a connection in my case.

Recently the study came out that Lyme is the only living organism that lives off manganese rather than iron.  In order for the bacterium to survive in our bodies it consumes manganese.  So, what are consequences of having a low level of manganese in the body?  Here's the list:

• Infertility
• Impaired glucose metabolism
• Diseases of the skeletal structure, and impaired growth
• Pancreatic dysfunction
• Elevated blood pressure
• Atherosclerosis
• Reduced protein metabolism
• Reduced immune function
• Ataxia
• Selenium deficiency
• Depressed activity of mammary glands in nursing mothers
• Mitochondrial abnormalities

Basically, I already have a good majority of these symptoms, and so many fellow Lyme Disease patients share these same problems already.  It is not coincidental that so many of these symptoms parallel Lyme & Co-Infections.

Anyways, scoliosis can be caused by nutritional imbalances; such as a lack of manganese.

In conclusion, I am not a doctor, the most medical training I've had is through mortuary college, but I highly believe the evidence is monumental that Lyme Disease can cause scoliosis and other injuries and deformities with bones.  I do NOT believe that everyone with back problems have Lyme Disease though, just wanted to throw that one out there.

Also, another point my doctor made was that having so much pain which is caused by Lyme, your body will contort unconsciously to help cover the pain, which can cause deformities in the spine, and pain.

I'm going to continue doing research.  Of course none of this may not make sense to anyone because I have Lyme brain, but hey, it all makes sense in my head. 

Daily Lyme Facts

For Lyme Disease Awareness Month, I plan on posting a fact about Lyme Disease every day.  If you have a certain fact you'd like me to share, please let me know.  Be sure to follow me on Facebook to see all them each day as I post them!

In Memory of Those Who've Passed from Lyme

When I was first diagnosed with Lyme back in 2008, the first thing I did was google if you could die from Lyme Disease.  Everything I read said no.  Of course you shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet.  But when doctors, the people you're suppose to trust with you LIFE tells you, you tend to believe it.  But then those same people turn around and tell you Lyme Disease doesn't even exist.  It's all in our mind.  I know there are many others who have passed who aren't listed.  My heart goes out to everyone whose has passed, their families, and everyone who is suffering.  I know suicide is high among Lymies.  Stay strong.

Join the facebook memorial for Lyme Awareness Month to reflect on a remember those who have passed away due to Lyme Disease.  Lyme Memorial

People Who Died of Lyme Disease:

Michael Cunningham

Jon Pierre Lavallee, 46

Frank John Ferrigno, 48

C. Gordon Smith, 67 Moonface Bear, 35

James Roderick Mason

Kimberly Carol McEachern, 42 

Kathryn H. Brown, 85

Kim Wood, 48

Lynette McKinney, 64

CT Girl, 7 Years Old 

Brett Anthony Paul, 31

Joseph F. Lyons

Freida R. Gaultney

Preston H. Longino

Dr. Basil Roebuck

J. Howard Marshall Jr.

Isabella Radestock

Dr. Carole Alton

Martin F. Dumke

Dr. Sterling Edgar Walton

Sue Ellen Helms, 55

Jodi Lynn Swift, 35

Norman Jenkins Ryker Jr.

Julian B. Backus, 52

Joan Maura Friedenberg, 53

Steve Nelson, 38

George Nijboer 

Dr. Stephen Gumport 

Ann H. McChesney, 58

Clarissa Tilghman Yost, 95

Piet Van Leer, 82

Thomas W. Hughes, 51

JHopkins Autopsy #26488 

JHopkins Autopsy #46758 

Michael Hinsberger, 53

John Miskiv

Jonathan Bleefield

Craig Moon, 46

Florence Desillier

Shelli Grossnickle

Patrick F. Bogdanovich 

Darlene Joyce Deyo, 50

Robert Benton Senior

David Frederick Rosenau, 59

Patricia Bauman, 73

Amanda Schmidt, 11

Glenn Edward Killion, 36

Kevin Ring, 37

David Lee Thomas, 18

Miss Christina Marie Lambeth, 19

Kathy Cavert, 51

Dr. John Drulle

Gayla Diane Keyes, 52

Shirley Forsman

Everett 'Ed' Francis Ives, 53

Lynette McKinney, 64

Beverly Stanton, 53

Rena McNulty

Dr. William 'Bill' Nichols

Brian Pierson, 47

John W. McGrath, 75 

Larry Dolan, 56

Dillon Jamison King, 37

Deiby Ashkenasy, 23

Beth Coen, 46

Richard Robley, 47

Owen Klepper

Simuel L. Danny Hogan 

Elizabeth Burke Laubach Claflin

Kendall Wooten, 22

Ellen Agnes Loughlin, 56

Lori Lynn Widlund, 42

June Atkins, 77

Richard T. Mullin

Travis Wilson, 23

Professor Alasdair Crockett

Ellen Havican Watson, 20

Jesse Jonah Goldsmith Morgan, 35

Dr. Edward Stanley Arnold

Pat Pepper, 58

Gordon P. Grafton, Jr., 46

Dr. Michael G. Linebaugh 

Christopher Peter Thomas, 46

Peter Edgar Hare 

William Henry Boesche, 41

Robert Lee Runion, 77

Chester A. Mellen

Barry Horton, 55

David A. McHoul, 63 

Arlene DeLaurier

Jamie Forschner, 5

Dr. Jane Colfax

Sharon Ann Gross, 41

Joyce Marie Woods, 46

Jenny Umphress, 21

Scott Brazil, 50

David A. Butler, 73

Gilbert Thornton Perkins, 77

Theresa Jean Wells Clay, 45

Timothy Alan Selepec, 46

Catherine Klapak, 44

Dr. John Bleiweiss

Martha Bradley, 68

Gayle R. Hogan, 66

Paul Fjare

Larry Bennett, 50

Michael Wilson

Adam Rowett, 18

Gloria Jean Baglio

William A. ''Bill'' Mattson, 62

Catherine Klapak, 44 

James Sanders, 55

DeWayne Murphy, 34

Mike Thomas, 48

Barry Horton

Robert Michael Hanson, 49

Edwin John Parssinen, 86

Peter Anthony Banducci, 45

Diane Varsi, 54 

Randy Stevens, Jr., 6 minutes 

Stewart H. Dowell, 62

John Thomas Pitner, 28

Rude, Charles Lee, 54

Jerry Balistreri, 51

Stanley V. Piser, 90

James W. Loughran, 63

Doris Grade

Rick Fincham, 44

Ted Paul Richard Hoggard, 21

Terri Dahl Fishel-Hokit, 61

Brian Hirsch, 43

Hilary Skinner, 43 

Dr. Corey Brian Schmidt, 53 

Carlton Tucker, 38 

Kenneth Hagen, 39 

David Cole, 65 

Polly Todd

Richard Holtry 

Bonnie Borntrager 

Dana Hathaway, 51 

Paula Rae Lipkin, 52 

Robert Silverman, 45 

Ronald S. Ferris, 55 

Michele Rose-Clair

Sarah Minor, 44

Helenette Suchocki, 67

Tim Snow, 44 * 

Kevin Smith * 

Watt Carter

Susan Hawkes-Koons, 57

Theresa Nelson, 38 

Terry Allen Wood, 48 

Luther Conant, 51

Carmen Charles Casciani, 64

Alfredo Mathew Jr. , 59 

Ann Vesonder, 46 *

Karen Sullivan, 48 * 

Hartley Everette Jackson, 87 

Chantal Seaman, 62 * 

Donna O'Toole, 35

Katherine Alderson Crowe, 77 

Peter Vyselaar* 

Linda Fuller, 57

George Wendell White Jr. , 83 

John A. Every 

Stephen Dolan, 30 

James Andrew Anderson, 58

Dennis Stephen Johnson, 58

Richard Delano Thoner 

Philip J. LaMonico, 69

Guy Sumner, 66

Thomas Roberts

John Martini

Betty Jo Hemphill, 52

Betty Jo Loubier, 45

Gail V. Fichtl Walling, 49

P. Kevin Missett , 52 

& Elizabeth Graham Missett, 58 

Vickie Crawford, 55

Nina Bonderman Tarnofsky, 80

Balsorah Lamar Savely Miller, 64

Kimberly Ann Cooper, 37

Kathleen E. Schuyler, 52

Harry Hartner, 62

Vincent Sota, 47

Vincent Paletta, 61

Robert J. DiBattisto, 64

Robert J. Hoffman, 48

Jim Sazani, 59

Ginette Ellen Jones, 39

Barry Gordon, 52

Debbie Selberg, 52

David A. Butler, 73

Stacy Lynn Grow, 28 

Marion A. Hastings, 68 

Eleanor J. Kuhar, 81 

Leslie Clifford Kiggins, 77 

John N. Gamble

Benjamin O. Carter, 68

Michael G. Schulte, 69 

Robert J. Thompson, 49 

Stephen A. Herring, 42

Rebecca Rose Boone-Britt, 55

Rebecca Marie Jarrell Nichols, 50

Harry Phillips Sullins, 73

Thomas B. Brown, 83

Logan Kock

Frances X. Bender, 56

Imogene R. Schultz *

Bill Chinnock, 59

Teresa McGilley Redlingshafer, 72

Duane H. Johnson, 65

James Paine Koch

Eric von Schmidt, 75

Shirley E. Wolfenden, 75

Maggie McCorkle

Priscilla Moulton Shafer, 73

Judith Ross Boynton, 54

Deborah O'Connor DeMarco, 40

Raymond J. Krueger, 79

Holly Kulikoski

Richard M. Scott, 86

Donald J. Simpson

Germaine''Gigi'' Chamberlain

Christine M. Rizzo

Joseph Gregory Padner, 48

Lonnie Benedict, 45

Patricia F. Gerstner, 56

Frances L. Jacob, 75

Robert M. Silver 

Michael John Fried, 65

Anna Gorbsky Hladchuk 

Leonard J. Spooner

Paul Butler *

Samuel Butler *

Jane May Chapman, 45

Dr. Edward L. McNeil, 81

Dr. James Alan Yarbrough, 54

Col. Bryce H. Wagner, 62

Britteny Gallgher, 17

Robert Dawson, 55

Shirley Moore, 67

Steve Cheek, 52

Sarah Elizabeth Pawson, 41

Barbara Lynn Fitzmaurice, 56

Robert Chilton

Drusilla Davis Howey, 68

Jacqueline Lewis Hacker, 55

Suzanne Spear Lawrence

Jimmy Duarte, 70

Gustav R. Persson, 62,

Patricia Ann Holloway, 71

Mary Frampton, 76

Shirley E. Wolfenden, 75

Michael Coers, 62

Robert J. Hoffmann, 48

Harry Burke, 82

Rose - Karen Johnson Rose

Bruno C. Malvezzi, 87

Robert Earl Wicker, 56

Steven F. Wells, 45

Sheldon Willis "Tex" Stout II, 66

Joseph Vocino 

Lloyd Ebert, 101

Emily Powell, 15

Gregory Joseph Deneault, 45

Arda Manoukian, 50

Susan Starchuk, 62

Michael "Mike" Wilnau, 53

Lothar Bachmann, 65

John Douglas Powell, 64

Gianetto, Joseph F. 

Charlene L. Kaijala, 52

Mike Gregory, 43

Russell Paul Reach, 49,

Harry E. Waechter

Buck R Benoist , 66

For more information and obituaries of these beautiful people, please visit...

http://www.angelfire.com/planet/lymedisease/Lyme/Memorial.html

North Carolina and Lyme Disease

These are actual charts from slide shows of the April 13th meeting of the Vector-Borne Work Group Meeting, talking about the growth of Lyme Disease.  Remember, just a few years ago, according to NC Health Department, Lyme didn't exist here.  The whole report also includes co-infections, like spotted fever. Anyone interested in the whole report, please let me know.  The Lyme Disease I found the most interesting.

"A concern was raised and discussion within the group concentrated on finding ways to
ensure that physicians are more aware of the incidence of tick borne illness in
the state as well as the difference between clinical diagnosis and surveillance
criteria. National case definitions are standardized, and applied mostly
uniformly across the country. Ms. Herman‐Giddens brought the groups
attention to the fact that a large part of the frustration is that there are no good
clinical tests for Lyme and many of the other tick‐borne illness.
Dr. Williams notified the group of the decision that state agencies, to protect patient’s
rights to confidentiality will not release county information until after the end of
the year. Of course, health directors will be notified of cases in their counties.
Status of Governor’s Proclamation declaring May Tick and Mosquito Awareness Month: This
item has been approved by the department, but as of the meeting date, there
has been no information on the status of this from the governor’s office.
Jodi Reber presented on the pending updates to the DPH website which will include enhanced
links for Providers and Local Health Departments as well as a section for
providers to reference for laboratory tests and questions. Orange County has a
physicians only portal, and are encouraging other counties to do the same type
of information dissemination. In addition, a variety of educational materials will
be posted for providers and health departments to share with the general public.
The group will be notified, with relevant links, as soon as these have been
posted.
Discussion ensued on the many initiatives and efforts that have been done to increase
awareness of all arboviral and tick‐borne disease awareness. Hopefully the
updates to the website will help provide more information, the proclamation will
help to bring attention to the website and the new information that will be
available soon.
Meagan Vaughn: Focus on tick borne diseases.
Focus is prevention of illness in high‐risk groups, i.e. outdoor workers, landscapers,
forestry, etc. both because of exposure and because of poor adherence to
prevention measures."

Disability

Definitely a bittersweet feeling.  March 4th I applied for Medicaid and Disability  there is no way I can work during my recovery at this moment.  After being prepared to be denied, and having to go through the fight for several years, I got a call today saying I was approved for both Medicaid and SSI.

It's such a relief, I have been panicking about money and trying to figure out a way for me to have a job, to get money to save, so after treatment I can finally move out of my parents house.  Not to mention the ridiculously HUGE stack of hospital bills I have yet to pay.  Disability said they would back pay any bills that I have after Nov. 2012.

It's a big relief, but it's also such a crushing, sad feeling.  I don't know what else to say.

Surprise Root Canal

Since my previous post I've been to the dentist and was surprised with a root canal.  How fun.  I've been doing a lot of research, still, on the link between Lyme Disease and teeth decay.  I've had a hard time finding information that isn't posted on forums, but actual articles.  But I think I finally hit the jackpot today!  I found an interview with a dentist that describes exactly what I am currently going through.  

As I mentioned before, my cavities have been coming from the inside out, which is unusual, but according to this dentist who has worked with a bunch of Lyme patients before, the spirochetes of Lyme like to reside inside the tubules of the teeth, which is also a location where the antibiotics will not reach.  Even to what the dentist has said about which teeth Lyme typically affect first are my exact teeth.  

"It is my experience that Lyme gravitates especially to the upper and lower centrals, and to the upper and lower first molars. That's eight teeth."

I asked my dentist if he thought maybe the decay in my teeth had anything to do with the antibiotics, he didn't think so.  I do find it quite a coincidence that I haven't been to the dentist since 2006, and suddenly after being on IV antibiotics and having some of the worse Lyme symptoms I've ever had, three of my teeth have broken in less than two months.  Plus, the flagyl and cleocin IVs that I'm on turn my tongue brown and orange, so there's something going on in my mouth.

Who really knows for sure though.  I'm pretty confident that all this has to do with Lyme, yet another super fun side effect of just super fun disease.  I got back to the dentist on Monday to get the last of the area's repaired, then hopefully I'll have no more dental problems.  I'm hoping that chapter of my Lyme will be finished soon.