Topic: My letter I am sending to 2 local papers-any suggestions?
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Hi, I've been wanting to write a newspaper about my struggle with Lyme, just to get the word out, so since my body is so darn tired today (I felt better yesterday and did housework, so i'm paying for it today, ugh), I decided to write it since I can't do much of anything else.
Here it is, let me know what else to add or subtract =)
Dear Editor,
My name is _______ _____ and I am a ________ resident. I am writing to ask if you would consider writing an article in May about Lyme disease. May is Lyme Disease Awareness month and it is a growing epidemic.
Many people, even physicians in the area often do not recognize the signs/symptoms of Lyme disease and are then inaccurately diagnosed leading to years of poor health. I have been dealing with Lyme disease since I was just 17 years old, and I am currently 30.
I never saw a tick bite me or the typical Lyme disease rash and was misdiagnosed as having Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 1997. It was terrifying to see my body and mind seemingly disintegrate before my very eyes at such a young age. If I had been correctly diagnosed when I had the strange flu like symptoms in the summer I most likely would not be suffering with Chronic Lyme Disease.
My symptoms have waxed and waned over the years and I attempted to lead as normal of a life as possible, something resembling my childhood hopes and dreams. I married and have 3 lovely children, at least one of which also has Lyme disease, acquired through placental transmission.
I have a Lyme Literate Medical Doctor whom I see in Pennsylvania and when he saw that I was from _______, he commented that he has quite a few patients from ________ and the surrounding area. Many of which were incorrectly diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, CFS or Fibromyalgia.
Lyme disease is called `the great imitator' because it has the capacity to mimic so many other chronic diseases. It destroys lives and once it has penetrated the Central Nervous System, it can be extremely difficult to eradicate due to the spirochete's vast ability to evade the body's own immune system and the ability to transform into a cyst form and `hibernate' when antibiotics are used.
Testing is also difficult, especially when one has had the disease for more than one year. The only tests available are those for the antibodies, not for the actual spirochete since it prefers muscle, bone, brain tissue to living in the blood.
I am a Registered Nurse who worked in a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for 13 glorious months until I started feeling very ill again. I have not worked in nearly 3 years and I desperately wish to educate others on the symptoms and realities of Lyme disease. This disease does not discriminate, any age, gender or race can be and IS infected.
I would be more than happy to work with you/provide information on an article regarding Lyme disease should you elect to write one.
Ocean
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 3496
posted
Thanks guys, I will print and send off tomorrow morning! I'm glad I finally did it, it didn't take but 10-15 mins. I hope that they will at least do a small article about Lyme. One of the papers is the one where I grew up, it's a small town and everyone knows my parents since they are teachers, so I'm thinking maybe they will at least do it =)
posted
Ocean, you did a great job on the letter. Hope they work with you on the article so they'll get stuff straight!
Also very nice that you are a medical professional, that helps a great deal!
-------------------- Wishing You Showers Of Blessings! Lyme since Fall 1983 = Diagnosed Summer 2008 IV Rocephin 7 weeks Stopped due to drug fever Now doxycycline "For I know the plans I have for you...plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 Posts: 430 | From Sunny South | Registered: Jul 2008
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