posted
I hope this is the right place to post this, I would wait until it actually is out but.. I'm just so excited I want to tell everyone!
Hi, my name is Laura. I'm 18 and have been sick with Lyme for.. at least 4 years?
wow it seems like so much longer to me but a short time I guess to some/most of you.
I'm so thankful that I'm only as sick as I am, because I know my case is completely mild compared to what it could be.
I pray for everyone of you at night, to be feeling good soon and to keep the hope alive that you will be better soon.
There is a book coming out in January called "Skating Forward" and I am one of the figure skaters featured in it. I sent the author my college essay and she had already picked the girls, but felt she had to include me too because Lyme is such a rising issue.
Every girl has a different challege they face or have faced in their lives, yet.. they still find a way to skate.
I was supposed to meet the auther in Lake Placid when I went to see a professional competition two weeks ago but.. I was in my hotel room the whole time because of the pain I was having.
Here is the description I got from the promo sheet the author sent me
quote:Meet sixteen amazing figure skaters battling the odds every day. No physical limitations or personal challenges will keep them from the sport they love.
Join these special young women on ice as they lace up their skates and celebrate life to the fullest.
it's coming out around January 15, just in time for the Olympics and hopefully people will want to buy it? I talk about how Lyme had affected me as of September 2008 so, a lot has changed since then.
But I explain how figure skating saved me, gives me happiness and hope when I feel like all I know is pain.
I'm so honored to be a part of this and I hope you guys will buy it if you can find it! If I get any more information I will post it.
I believe you will be able to buy it on amazon.com and most big bookstores can order it for you.
btw you guys are some of the sweetest, kindest, most genuine people I have ever (not)met.
I feel blessed to be able to represent Lyme disease and hopefully raise more awareness about it.
I hope people read it and will learn more about Lyme and its effect on people. And girls or anyone really with Lyme can have hope, because for a little while, I was feeling better.
God bless, Laura C
In case you want to know a little more about me and my history with lyme(If not, you can stop reading I'm basically done):
I've had one headache for 4 years. not, I have headaches.. I haven't had one minute without my headache in 4 years.(is this normal for Lyme? because I have no idea.)
I also was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis this june, which is.. very fun as some of you may know. wrist/hand/fingers and feet/toe pain is the worst.
but sometimes my knees and legs are so intense that I can't walk, can't really move even. that lasts a couple days usually.
Happened once a few days before Prom, but I made it. Limped and held on to my date the whole time but.. it was the best night of my life, despite the pain.
Actually felt well enough to start college this fall, at the Univeristy of Delaware.. lasted 7 weeks.
severe med interaction and badness occurred so.. I'm withdrawn for this semester. hoping to God that I am well enough to go back in the spring.
will be seeing a dr in nyc that can treat the something neuropathy that I have.
right now my days are mostly filled with dr appts, taking medicine, eating, and crying. there's a lot of crying going on over here. I'm a teenage girl, what do you expect?
But I will be okay. I know it. Some day.. I will be well again. lyme will not defeat me, though some days it does have the upper hand.
I have some moments when, I can push the pain into the back of my mind, or just push through it and have a good time.
I had a few good hours Thursday night when I went to see New Moon at midnight with my best friend. I had forgotten what it was like to be a normal teenage girl. and laugh.
This was way too long. but, I really needed to get it out. thank you for reading and.. let me know if you have any interest in the book at all. I'm excited.
posted
Congratulations, Laura!! And the timing is good, too, with the winter Olympics coming up, which are in Canada, where there's Lyme. Hm - maybe you should let CanLyme know about this. They're the Canadian Lyme site. www.CanLyme.org.
And yes, it is hard having Lyme - I share your frustration - gotta give yourself the space and take the time to improve with treatment.
Posts: 13116 | From San Francisco | Registered: May 2006
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springshowers
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 19863
posted
Wow this is GREAT
I would love to buy the book!!>
Keep us informed !!
EXCITING ...
Even though I know Lyme is Tragic. I am glad you are excited about being featured and that your in this book and that it is there for more awareness too.!
Posts: 2747 | From Unites States Of America | Registered: Apr 2009
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quote:Originally posted by Robin123: Congratulations, Laura!! And the timing is good, too, with the winter Olympics coming up, which are in Canada, where there's Lyme. Hm - maybe you should let CanLyme know about this. They're the Canadian Lyme site. www.CanLyme.org.
And yes, it is hard having Lyme - I share your frustration - gotta give yourself the space and take the time to improve with treatment.
I will definitely do that, thanks for the link!
I'm having a good day today, went to see a movie with my mom.
posted
That's wonderful that you are featured in the book!!!
But I'm sorry you are ill! Are you seeing an LLMD .. please say YES!!!! I'm worried that you are seeing a rheumie who may put you on steroids... very bad for Lyme.
Many who have "RA" have been helped by antibiotics. Have you been to www.roadback.org ?
Welcome and good luck with your skating and with your health!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96220 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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kam
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 3410
posted
Laura...great post. Glad to hear it. Looking forward to when the book is out.
Posts: 15927 | From Became too sick to work or do household chores in 2001. | Registered: Dec 2002
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Tincup
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 5829
posted
I am going to act like Randibear now and say...
Well, I can ice skate and they didn't put ME in the book!
Sounds like a huge honor pix. Good for you! Your folks must be real proud. I know I am.
Glad you are helping out ALL of us with your story. Thank you so much for that!
Please lettuce no when the book comes out... ok?
BTW- I ice skated two times in my life. The second time the skates were tied so tight (cute guy but he knew nothing about ice skating) my feet were throbbing before I made one round across the lake.
Never again!
But I can roller skate from here to Buffalo with my eyes closed, backwards... and one one foot. And I can water ski from here to the Mississippi River, jumping big buildings in a single bound.
posted
Wow, this really hits home with me. I've had Lyme's Disease since I was 4, and I am now 17. About 4 years ago, I started figure skating. My coach told me that I had a natural talent for it, so I started competing. I went to my first compeition and did the free skate and cumpulsory moves competition. I placed first in both events. That was my first and last competition I was able to do. Now, I can't skate any more because I'm too sick...I really miss it.
-------------------- 12 Year Lyme's Disease Sufferer Posts: 13 | From Youngsville, Louisiana | Registered: Dec 2009
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posted
Wow hi Laura! This is so weird but I saw your video on Youtube a few months ago when I was starting to question whether I had Lyme. I have actually passed your video onto a couple people whom I thought needed to see it as well. Thank you so much for your truthful & positive video!
It's pretty cool to come across you on this board:) What really grabbed me with your symptoms stated in the video was your description of the head pain. I can SO identify with that...it's excruciating & debilitating. I don't think mine is nearly as frequent as your head pain, but it's as intense at it's worst. Feels like my brain is too big for my skull.
I am still pretty new around here so maybe the older(as in being here longer) folks can offer a bit more with medical advice & such. I am still learning! But you sound like you have a great hold on things. You are so lucky to have discovered this so early in life, you can kick it's butt harder the earlier you start(imho)!
I am still beginning my LD journey and I am almost 40 so just think of yourself as being that much ahead of this horrible disease. Keep on skating and making positive messages for people. You have inspired me, that's for sure!
Congrats on the book...I would love to have a copy when it's available. Thank you for helping spread the word about LD:) Good luck in everything you do!
Hugs, ~Beth
Posts: 50 | From Midwest | Registered: Nov 2009
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Tracy9
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 7521
posted
Very cool. We have a member on www.lymefriends.com who was an Olympic figure skater, on the Olympic team with Dorothy Hamill. She is on Lyme Chat most everynight, but I think you may have already connected; I think I've seen your name on Lymechat. Congratulations!!!
13 years Lyme & Co.; Small Fiber Neuropathy; Myasthenia Gravis, Adrenal Insufficiency. On chemo for 2 1/2 years as experimental treatment for MG. Posts: 4480 | From Northeastern Connecticut | Registered: Jun 2005
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First of all welcome. I am so sorry you having to go through this but I am also glad you are still able to skate! What a wonderful story of hope and inspiration!
I have a son 17, who I am afraid may have lyme (haven't been tested yet) so as soon as I saw you were 18 I could totally realate .
It sounds like your mom (Parents) are very supporative and is getting you the help you need...that is wonderful.
You sound like such a blessing and thank you for the prayers. I am a FIRM believer in prayer and will continue to pray for you.
When do you see the Dr in New York??
I believe in my heart with treatment you'll be able to beat this...You have your whole life ahead of you..
Go an get em girl
God Bless and good luck,
Karen
Posts: 423 | From Virginia | Registered: Nov 2009
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What an amazing video and what a truly AMAZING girl you are.
I couldn't help but cry as well. I am so sorry for you.
I have no doubt that you will beable to reach many people and HELP them as well!!!
What you've done is a wonderful thing. I to was un diag for years and had 3 lyme test which kept coming back neg.
The way I finally found out I had it was by watching a video a local news anchor person in my town did on Lyme.
She had it and I friend kept "nagging" me to watch it even though I told them I had been tested and didn't have it.
Well. its the best information I ever got.
So, I truly believe you can be an ambassador for helping get the info about Lyme out so others can begin to get treatment.
BLESS YOU so much child and please keep in touch with eveyone and let us know how you are doing.
God Bless,
Karen
P.S. I just turned 50 and have probably had lyme ATLEAST 10-15 or even 20 yrs without knowing it--
it really started getting to the unbearable point approx 1 yrs ago... my point is even though I hate some days and feel like im "too young" to be going throuh this I see someone like you and it breaks my heart that you, as I teen has to deal with this.
I was luckly to have had my teen years. On the flip side though.. hopefully, no definently you will get better and go on to have a great rest of your long life (:
Also, even though my son is not "real" sick you have inspired me to move forward somehow to get him tested.
I haven't yet as funds are so tight and with no insurance it takes all our money just to barely treat me but I am going to put it in God's hand to somehow figure out a way to get the ball rolling for him.
I don't want him to have to get to a bad point before something is done.
So see, You now know of at least one person you have helped so THANK YOU!!!
His name is Timothy...Please pray for him.
Lets us know more about the book when it comes out and I hope you have a Very Merry and Blessed Christmas (:
Posts: 423 | From Virginia | Registered: Nov 2009
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