copying this here and breaking up for neuros like me betty
Published: August 11, 2009 03:57 am
Under 'my' skin: my Lyme disease story
To the editor:
Hi. My name is Chloe, I am 12 years old and I have Lyme disease and co-infections from a tick bite.
More than two years ago I started to get sick. I thought I was going crazy because I wasn't sick in the way that kids usually get sick.
When it got worse many doctors said there wasn't anything wrong with me and still I couldn't walk or hold my head up.
Slowly things started to disappear like my ability to talk, eat or sometimes even blink my eyes.
Time disappeared and so did school and friends. I heard about things at school but I had no connection with anything.
I didn't even have a connection or control of my body. I was sick all of the time and sometimes I couldn't remember even a few seconds ago. Time didn't make sense anymore and I didn't think I would ever be myself again.
Some of the doctors and hospitals we went to didn't always believe that I was really sick.
They did a lot of tests and couldn't find anything wrong. They would ask me to walk and when I fell over they still didn't believe I was sick.
They blamed the pain in my arms and legs, nausea and vertigo on stress and told me I was fine.
Some of them said I was just pretending to be sick to get attention. I had more than 15 symptoms and nobody could help me.
I am thankful that my family always believed me and never gave up.
Finally, after many terrible months we found two amazing doctors who finally believed me and have made me better.
They told me I had Lyme disease and co-infections. My Lyme doctors are really great because everything they do helps me get back to my life and school.
They are the best doctors in the world. Thanks to them I am almost completely better.
I want everyone to know that Lyme disease and co-infections are real and very serious.
They just take away everything and sometimes it's not obvious what's happening inside. We should all learn about them because it could happen to anybody.
We are not even sure when I first got bitten. The ticks are so small that you can't even see them, but the diseases that they leave behind can change your life forever.
Please, everybody, learn about Lyme disease and its co-infections and please be careful when you go outside and always do a tick-check when you come in.
Thank you to all of our friends for the support they gave me and my family this last year. You are the best!
Chloe Hershenson
Newbury
Associated Press content � 2009. All rights reserved
Add New Comment *******************
chloe, beautifully written; HOPE MANY OF YOU WILL POST FEEDBACK ON CHLOE'S STORY
[ 08-11-2009, 04:09 PM: Message edited by: bettyg ]
Posted by springshowers (Member # 19863) on :
So wonderfully written and said and from a 12 year old. Your story touched me and made me cry. It is so not fair that young children have to suffer from this disease.
I am so glad you found a good doctor and are feeling better now. That is the icing on the cake.
Thank you so much for sharing. It is very touching and meaningful to the whole community!
IS there a place that keeps logs of stories like on the web somewhere?
I am not aware but an ongoing patient and family log on a website sharing stories and that is it would be a great thing to have.
IF there is one let me know and if there is one you really should include yours Chole.
God Bless
Posted by DaveNJ (Member # 17362) on :
Heartwarming and Heartbreaking all at the same time...
Posted by Pinelady (Member # 18524) on :
DaveNJ you got that right.
It is sad when it happens to adults and heart
wrenching when we cannot get the word out fast
enough for our kids. Thankfully for her smart
parents she got help and is now doing what she can
to help others. What a blessing.
Posted by shelly23 (Member # 16124) on :
Chole i wish the best for your future .. You seem so bright and mature..
How do you feel now! Best wishes God Bless
Posted by dmc (Member # 5102) on :
Great article Chloe. You are on the road to recovering your life.
It is wonderful you shared your story, that others can see how Lyme/Tick Diseases can stump the doctors. Your story will help many.
How lucky you are to live in Newbury/Newburyport area. Wonderful area. I was stationed in Newburyport for 2 1/2 yrs at the USCG base.
Used to ride a bike to Plum Island nature area. Wonder if that's where I got a bit.
Still, you live in gorgeous part of MA.
Posted by Peedie (Member # 15355) on :
Thank God for family! Had Chloe not had the support and belief of her family -- she would not be on the road to wellness.
Chloe's story is a perfect example of what confounds me most of all.
That the medical community would rather think people pretend to be sick.
Are they just lazy?
How does many trips to various doctors, tests and taking medications that don't help figure in to their theory? Exercise?
Palliative Treatment is standard. Managed Health Care rules the health care system.
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
betty