But now has no idea how to live life because they were sick for so long??
I find myself in this camp, and its very frustrating. Most people I know did not believe I was sick since "it was just Lyme" (though I had it 20 years!), and I looked and acted very very "normal." I find myself at 33 having no clue how the world works, despite a near-genius level IQ, and I still havent gotten married, no children.... I only was able to go to college last year, at the age of about 32.
I would love to hear from others who had their lives stolen by Lyme DIsease.
I get so down that sometimes I really just dont want to go on. I WILL go on, but its just tough. Noone understands, noone really cares, and life is harder than I thought it would be. Being well from Lyme does NOT equate with happiness, though I did think otherwise for a time.
-------------------- Healed of Lyme in June of '04. Had it for 20 years before God led me to the right diagnosis. Had neuro-borreliosis (sp??). SEVERELY.
Now I'm "all grown-up" and no clue how to deal with life! I still live at home, and have many a bad day. Posts: 11 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2006
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-------------------- Healed of Lyme in June of '04. Had it for 20 years before God led me to the right diagnosis. Had neuro-borreliosis (sp??). SEVERELY.
Now I'm "all grown-up" and no clue how to deal with life! I still live at home, and have many a bad day. Posts: 11 | From NJ | Registered: Sep 2006
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Vermont_Lymie
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 9780
posted
Hi llama --
Congratulations on being recovered!
I can relate. I have lost good years of my adult life to untreated lyme, but I am not recovered yet. I too was happy just to have the diagnosis this year, but I have a way to go on the road to recovery.
There are probably many people on lymenet in your situation.
Having this terrible illness has made me more sensitive to the plight of the chronically ill in the world. It has provided an even stronger sense of mission to help others deal with the abundant adversity created by our present health care systems.
You are still young (speaking from my vantage point of being older!). You can still do the universal life things like get married and have children. I hope you enjoy the time of learning, exploring and please don't forget those of us still recovering!
peace, ella
Posts: 2557 | From home | Registered: Aug 2006
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heiwalove
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 6467
posted
i absolutely understand; i've been stuck in this place for too long myself. unfortunately i don't have a whole lot of helpful advice, except to maybe seek the help of a therapist who specializes in (or at least knows about) chronic/severe illness.
I am the same age and have been sick most of my life.
I feel like so much was stolen from me!
Unfortunately, I am not all better "yet". I was on the road to be, but had a set back.
But, I do understand the struggle you are going through.
My IQ is very high too. I would love to go back to school, but the further away from it I get, the harder it all seems.
I have lived on my own for a long, long time. No children yet (but I did direct a few child care programs for many years and LOVED it!)
I am sure once my medical situation is straightened out, I will find a way! And you can too!
You can not get back what was lost. I find the more I think about what "was not", the more upset I get.
Try not to think about "where you feel you should be at this point in your life." You are where you are and can only move on from here.
Try to think of what still can be. Use your experiences going forward. You really do have so much life ahead of you.
You may need to crawl before you run, but you will get on your way!
And remember, YOU are NOT ALONE! People DO understand, I really do understand and WE do care!
Posts: 240 | From MA | Registered: Nov 2006
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