Since that time I've learned so much about this horrible disease
And so much came from you ~ keep the posts comin' please

I finally figured out who you were when we testified in Annapolis that day
I will stand and fight this war with you, as I am here to stay

I hope you know how many people you help & touch
I know how many people thank you, and love you so much

I know sometimes you must think you're in a war ya just can't win
But, as far as I'm concerned, there's no stronger metal than tin

I just hope some day you can slow down and rest
I'm sure all of this puts your nerves to the test

They say the best gift you can give is your time
You have given so much for this thing called Lyme

I guess what I'm trying to say, is thank you for everything you do
And, if you ever need me, I'll be there for you...

~ALSLYME~

Yes, TC and many others have done so much in educating us here on this board. We can never thank you enough, but share the wealth of your lyme knowledge with others, and send them here to this great board!

God bless you TC and ALL who contribute to educating us all...and most importantly, your support that we have found others walking in our shoes.

Researching, caring.....sending us hope
Lifting our spirits......helping us cope

you put me in touch with the best of links
and really help me try to think

Lyme has been such a mystery to me
But your knowledge and sharing all can see

I am far from a poet
and now I show it

Just want to thank you for all you do
and I will always and forever remember you.

So I won't try to be clever with words but I will say-Without Tincup and those Lyme warriors like her I would NEVER have found the path that started me on this Lyme Journey. How can we thank her? Pitch in.

Each day I spread the word and I will continue to do so. On the phone, on the net, at the store, bank, pharmacy, wherever I can.

I published a Lyme article in our local community newspaper and another story is forming in my Lyme brain. This one will have more about how prevalent lyme is (I'll call the local vets and get some some estimates), how it imitates many other illnesses so is difficult to spot and how serious and difficult to treat it is.

Here's my first article- please take my ideas and write your own article.

LYME DISEASE IN **************

When you picture Lyme disease what comes to mind? I used to think of a bulls eye rash, joint pain, a reliable blood test and a cure by several weeks of antibiotics. Boy, was I ever wrong.

In the fall of 2003 my dog went blind. She tested positive for Lyme. Now, in March of 2005 she is still taking antibiotics and her eyes are still red although her sight has been restored.

In the spring of 2004 I began to feel tired and a had a sore throat. My Lyme blood test was negative. As summer passed I grew increasingly fatigued, then in August my back really started to hurt. From August to October I visited a local doctor many times, had blood work done and several expensive imaging procedures. Late in October I went to the ER at a local hospital with a temp of 101.3. They were clueless what was wrong with me. Another Lyme blood test came back negative.

Thank goodness for the Internet. Here I learned that the screening tests for Lyme are often falsely negative and another test, the Lyme Western Blot, is more useful. Bingo! My Western Blot showed exposure to Lyme, matter of fact, it satisfied the CDC requirements as reportable Lyme disease.

Okay, so now you may think I was out of the woods. Wrong. Through local Lyme support groups I learned there were no doctors in the area whom they could recommend. I am now being treated by a Lyme literate MD in ********. I have been on antibiotics for 5 months and am only slightly improved. My Lyme doctor recently told me she expects that after another year I will be 80% better.

I never saw a rash, never found a tick and twice my Lyme blood test was negative. According to an article ``The Complexities of Lyme Disease'' by Tom Grier at the Canadian Lyme website(www.canlyme.com) common and frequent symptoms of Lyme are: a stiff, crunchy neck, visual complaints, heart palpitations, muscle twitches (especially in the face), fatigue, depression, urinary frequency and memory problems. Another excellent website is www.lymenet.org.

I am available to discuss this with anyone who would like to know more.

My name and phone number

You and others fight so relentlessly for all of us.

Your persistance amazes me. You inspire me to stay on my soapbox and try to

in disguise as a

Coz everyone loves SPAMALOT!

I hope you save this tribute to you
in a very special file
I'm going to admit here
your posts have made me smile

Little did you know
that you've turned my frown,
on many occasions,
totally...upside down

Cuz when I was down
and had a pout
I had nothing else
to smile about

I'd search just to find
one of your posts
or talk to some of my
few friends and boast!

cuz I just want them
to hear me say
"Other Lymies understand and help me
they make me smile, anytime...night or day!"

This tribute also,
Tinny, to Thanks so Much
for sharing your Lyme
knowledge, humor and such!

You deseve recognition also
and for all your hard work,
and for the "heads up" when there's
a TROLL attempting to lurk!

You make me feel like I'm NOT
just a human Firecracker DUD!!
Easily amused and love your dancing man ...
I still luv ya, first, Lyme Bud!!!!

I must go take a nap now
it's getting hard to think
I believe it's my Lyme brain
hamimg gone on the blink!

I choose to dance

~laserred~

You make a positive difference in so many ways. Thanks for caring, for the on-going encouragement, sharing of valuable info and, my favorite, your unique sense of humour.

Dolphin hugs, squeaks and whistles to you!!!

I was going to skip on by the computer tonight... and at the last minute I said.. ah.. I better check in and see my friends before I head to bed. I miss them... and I want to be sure everyone is ok.

Well.. imagine my surprize to see this sweet post right on top when I clicked on!

ALSLyme.. the poem.. like the other two you have written.. is straight from the heart and they are very touching. I not only smile after reading them .. but it is a warm smile.. a true smile. Thank you for the kind words and for lifting my spirits. You are so very special. I am honored to have you as a friend.

ALSLYME... and everyone who took time to make me smile by posting above....

Yes... I will save the kind words in a special file.. and will return to it when I need a special pick me up.

I've been sitting here... nearly 20 minutes now.. and can't figure out how to thank you without sounding like a hokey dokey.

Do you know how you ALL have helped me? I am no longer alone. I am smarter about Lyme. I have a light in my tunnel. I have my spirit back. I have people who care about me. I have people here who understand me and put up with me on my good days and bad.

I am pleased to know... if we have to go through all this.. we can, at least, do it together.

The truth is... I really need you all. I am glad you are out there for me and all the others who come to our door. Thank you.

And thanks for putting a spark back in my heart... and making me feel so special.

You all make me blush.. and you gotta quit that now.. ya hear?

I appreciate the posts here. They are all music to my heart.

------------------
If you get the choice to sit it out or dance...

I continue to post today in large part because of the example of Tincup, whom I've come to know and love over the past 4 1/2 yrs.

Keep up the good work, Tinny! [CONEHEAD!]