Just checking in with all who visit this site and wondering how you are all are doing.

Katherine here.
Age 54
Health really went south in Oct. 2001 (no longer able to work or do routine chores around the house routinely)
Dx Feb. 2003 and started treatment

Currently waiting to hear from lyme specialist regarding which meds to start next. Just got off of biaxin and mepron.

Currently waiting to see what it will take to get my power chair back on line. I now wake up not wanting to get out of bed again due to lack of power chairs help in moving around the house and getting out and about.

Not driving. Living on SSI.

Trying to keep a good attitude and be thankful for what I have...but really having a rough time of it lately. MIss not being productive and useful, miss not being able to take care of my own home, miss not living in a home (currently am an apartment dweller...don't do well in apartments)...miss not having a car, miss not being able to go for early morning walks or late evening walks...I can be on my feet for about 20 minutes but it takes a lot out of me and vision and processing is not good most of the time...

thankful I have at least one doc who is still trying to get my health back...my lyme specialist...

miss not being able to read...although I have been able to read one to three pages lately...this comes and goes

...miss the ability to trouble shoot and am concerned with the people that appear to be normal but wonder if they too have lyme brain at times...

going through a good cycle right now so I am able to be on line for short periods of time...appreciate the computer and this web site to go to for support...if you are like me...all of the above is too much for you to take in and you are on overload right about now.

It would be great to hear from others and how things are going. The loneliness is getting to me. I am very choosing who I am around so choose to be isolated most of the time.

Thankful for those who are easy to be around and for taking their time out of their busy schedule to visit once and awile.
 

Sounds like you have been through a lot. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't get around.

May God speed you healing. Hiker
 

Well, I'm glad you are having a "good cycle" at least! It does sound like you've been through a lot, but every little bit of good is a step towards the positive.

Please feel free to email me if you just want someone to talk to!
 

I start amox next week and I don't have to go back to my LLMD for 6 months. I'm really excited! I'm sick of driving to NC every month! lol
 

But, then again...I don't usually trust my memory now a days.
 

What happened to the power chair?

If you will e-me...perhaps we can meet sometime soon?

Much love,
Melanie
 

I was just thinking of you yesterday. How are you doing?

It sounds like you are in CA now. I will email you.

I have a local guy looking into why the power chair is not working.

I sure hope he can figure it out.

I sure miss it.

Katherine
 

It's good to see your post.

Would you believe that today is the first day I realized you are a GIRL?

I used to read your other journal entries and for some reason always was under the impression you were a guy!!!???!

I am glad you are feeling a little better.

What happened about your service dog, if I may ask?

Michelle M

This is the second time I have tried to answer your message. Hopefully, it will work this time.

Hmm. Thought I was a guy eh?? Not sure how to take that.

Buster and I go back to Canine Support Team in September. They will assess things then.

I either will come home with Buster or a new dog.

In the meantime, I am doing what I can to help Buster work with the haltie or gentle lead and vest.

He does fine once he has it on and he gets going. He just has a really rough time putting it on and getting going.

I really am attached to him so it breaks my heart to think about not having him as a service dog.
 

I'd be lost without driving locally, and here you are without a car & power chair currently. I'm counting my blessings again based upon your story.

Been misdx for 34 years, and on lyme meds for 1 year now...no improvement as I expected. 100% fatigue is hard for me being in bed so much taking all these naps.

Recently Bowen tested for co-infection..NONE but confirmed I do have lyme. So I can be thankful for that too.

You/I are in the same age group area.

Best wishes & hang in there.

bettyg, Iowa
 

What were you diagnosed with before finding out it was lyme disease...or neuro borrelosis (sp?) or TBD.

I know it was a small insect that caused such big problems. It just seems it needs a bigger name.

Lyme disease...oh well..just a touch of flu...take a few abx and you will once again be new! Right!

I am once again out and about. The senior center in town loaned me a power chair for now.

I was able to get groceries yesterday...that always improves my mood, get the epsom salts to help with the aches and pains and detox...so I took a bath last night and I no longer need to stay down wind from people..ha..

and get the hook and plastic ties to put a temporary hook on my power chair for Buster's leash.

I also was able to take Buster out to exercise and play yesterday. He is still resting. Guess I wore him at. That is a first. Usually it is the other way around. HA!

And I missed that concrete pillar in town by a hair when I turned my head and said hello to someone. But, I did rearrange the hardware store a little with my new wheels.

It doesn't have as good a turning radius and doesn't go over cracks in the sidewalk that are any bigger than 1/2 inch.

It is a wheel chair with batteries basically. Tough on the body. I will be glad when I have my old one back that is cushioned.

While I was out this morning, I had to get my mind on other things. The first block, I come to an intersection. I found myself coveting other peoples vehicles.

I did the same thing when I would see people in power chairs. I have never been like this before.

But, then before I had my own home with a yard at the ocean and my own car. I was content with what I had. Sure miss those things. I know they are just things and we can't take them with us...but I haven't gotten to the point yet that I am OK without them.

The top priority here is to get my health back.

[This message has been edited by kam (edited 06 August 2005).]