philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
So I decided I wasn't going to let this disease and my fear of being bitten again rule my life. I went out yesterday and bought some plants/flowers/veggies and dirt.
I got all ready yesterday and made my way out to the front of the house. I strategically placed all my plants and was ready to go!
I got down on my knees and started to dig. Sure enough I got the creepy crawlys....was very anxious and thought there were bugs all over me!
There wasn't though. This turned into a full blown panic attack and I ran in the house. Hubby and my son probably think I'm nuts!
Well....today is a new day and I'm off to try again! I WILL plant these things! Wish me luck.
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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nonna05
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33557
posted
Praying protection.. for you
I so wish I could get to store and do what you did...
Posts: 2563 | From Denver,CO | Registered: Aug 2011
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posted
I wish you the best. I have to swallow really hard, then check like a fiend afterward.
When I start thinking about the potential "stuff" that is on vegetables, it helps me get over my tick fear. I think I am equally afraid of what is in the food supply.
I do eat organically whenever possible, but there's nothing like controlling your own food.
Posts: 447 | From Vermont | Registered: Jan 2011
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posted
Have fun planting your flowers! I love gardening too:) Focus on the beauty:)
Posts: 463 | From Sandusky, Ohio | Registered: Jan 2012
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posted
For years I was out there digging away planting bulbs in the Fall and planting annuals and perennials in the Spring. I enjoyed it.
Now, no way will I dig in the dirt. I will NOT subject myself to a possible tick bite after having kids who have been so sick. That's just my reality and how we live.
I have a landscaper who does the planting/fertilizing/mowing for me.
I told him I spray the backyard for ticks. I don't think he has a clue about what I told him but as a young man with a young family he needs to know, especially since he is in such a high-risk occupation in an endemic area.
I will be giving him information about proper tick removal as well as information about tick-repellant spray.
I believe that landscapers are at great risk for contracting TBD by virtue of their profession. I ask that folks here who hire landscapers/mowers/planters keep this in mind and take it upon themselves to educate those in their employ. It's just the right thing to do.
And FYI--today I bought 2 beautiful pots of petunias at Home Depot for a total cost of $40 to put on my front steps.
In years past I bought all the individual annuals, along with the soil to fill the pots. I cleaned the pots then filled them with the soil and then planted all the various flowers into them. It took me hours to do that.
Purchasing ready-made flower pots from Home Depot works for me and countless others. I never thought I'd say that.
-------------------- You gain strength, courage, and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.'
---Eleanor Roosevelt Posts: 748 | From somewhere | Registered: May 2010
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
philly, after I learned I had lyme disease last fall, I was afraid I would never garden again. But spring came, and so did my natural desire to be out there planting and enjoying my gardens that I have worked so hard to create.
I did find a lawn service to spray my yard for ticks with pymethrin. I have a lot of acreage and they spray once a month for $50. A lot cheaper than our medical costs!
I also bought several bottles of permethrin from Amazon.com to spray on all of my gardening clothes to protect myself. I also spray on my hat, socks and sneakers/shoes that I wear. I use OFF on any exposed skin like my neck. Follow directions carefully...
So far, it has been wonderful. Having the yard sprayed has made a huge difference. Although we use Frontline on our cats, I am hardly finding any ticks on them anymore like I did in past years.
I am vigilant about checking myself for ticks (over and over) and I shower and shampoo my hair after coming inside from gardening. I am so grateful that I can still get out in the sunshine and feel normal for a spell.
I can't garden the way I used to, but feeling the sun on my skin and listening to the birds, seeing my gardens, eating herbs and fresh vegetables that I am growing... is all so good for the body and soul.
I understand and applaud your desire to get out there. Just use the right precautions and hopefully, you will be able to resume your hobby - to a lesser degree for now - without so much anxiety.
Posts: 2387 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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sixgoofykids
Honored Contributor (10K+ posts)
Member # 11141
posted
I used to have such pretty flowerbeds with all kinds of perennials. I had them blooming from mid-Feb until Nove. They were gorgeous.
Now I have yews. Ugly. But they take up the beds and my husband trims them. I have a little corner of my flowerbed still there, and as things need to be taken out, I have my son (Who is adopted and seems to have the immune system to fight off Lyme better than our genetics! One of those things, why do some get sick, others don't?) plant hostas for me.
Do I miss taking care of my flowers? Yes. Do I love it enough to risk being bitten? No.
I realize some do love hiking, gardening, etc., enough to risk a bite? I do not. I am just as happy walking on pavement, taking bikerides on the bike trail, or working out on my pilates reformer.
And, I have to say, I'm MORE cautious now that I'm well. When I was sick, I wasn't half as nervous about a new bite.
I think fear of ticks after being as sick as we have been is a rational fear.
-------------------- sixgoofykids.blogspot.com Posts: 13449 | From Ohio | Registered: Feb 2007
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philly78
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 31069
posted
Well...I did it. I planted my flowers and herbs and I'm glad I did. Of course, every little odd sensation I feel on my skin is bugging me out! I did a thorough check for ticks though....something I NEVER did prior to becoming sick.
I used to think lyme was no big deal which is why I never checked for ticks in the past. I know better now!
I really need to get over my fear. My in laws have a house on a lake in the mountain woods and we go every year. Well, last year was the first year we didn't go because I was so sick and not to mention frightened!
My son is in scouts and he is not going to just stop. That terrified me as well! Since he is also in treatment.
I guess I'm just at the point where I've decided I'm not going to live in fear. Although it is much easier said than done! I just jumped because a piece of hair was tickling my arm and I thought it may be a darn tick! Lol
-------------------- When faced with pain you have two choices....either quit and accept the circumstances, OR make the decision to fight with all the resources you have at your disposal. Posts: 1000 | From PA | Registered: Mar 2011
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Certainly gardening increases the risks of tick bites, but so does many other things. I would never tell anyone else they should garden or do any other activities that increase the risk of exposure to ticks and disease, but personally I made the decision that I would not let those ticks run my life.
I take precautions, such as spraying my yard for ticks, treating our pets once a month, using deep woods off when gardening or hiking, wearing light colored long sleeves, and frequent tick checks.
I have not been rebitten for several years now, and I too will keep on gardening! My gardens are the best this year that they have ever been: another testament to my regained good health after years of illness.
Ironically, I never went outside to get the tick bite that first made me sick. I had kids that loved to play outside, and I used to make them strip right outside our mudroom on the breezeway (we lived in an area where our back door was not visible to anyone but the deer and other wildlife!).
I used to do diligent tick checks on the kids after their outdoors excursions, but eventually I was bitten--I think while doing their laundry.
I hope you continue to enjoy your garden, philly, as I am enjoying mine! Posts: 962 | From Charleston | Registered: Jan 2002
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quote:Originally posted by sixgoofykids: I used to have such pretty flowerbeds with all kinds of perennials. I had them blooming from mid-Feb until Nove. They were gorgeous.
---
Do I miss taking care of my flowers? Yes. Do I love it enough to risk being bitten? No.
I realize some do love hiking, gardening, etc., enough to risk a bite? I do not.
---
And, I have to say, I'm MORE cautious now that I'm well. When I was sick, I wasn't half as nervous about a new bite.
I think fear of ticks after being as sick as we have been is a rational fear.
- DITTO, DITTO, DITTO for me.
I now plant a few perennials in flower pots. I can barely take care of those now.
PS .. Six.. I love hostas too!!
-------------------- --Lymetutu-- Opinions, not medical advice! Posts: 96239 | From Texas | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
The thing that I hate most is the innocence that has been stolen. I used to go outside without
a care. Now, I don't even like to step on the grass. I don't want to live in fear either but....
We have outside cats that I want to get rid of but the rest of the family has vetoed that idea.
My oldest daughter is now being treated after she became symptomatic when she took antibiotics for a strep infection.
Every time my youngest daughter complains of a headache my heart catches. I don't want to
think everything is lyme but I don't want to miss it either.
Sigh....Innocence lost.
Posts: 538 | From kentucky | Registered: Nov 2011
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dbpei
Frequent Contributor (1K+ posts)
Member # 33574
posted
philly, I am happy for you that you were finally able to get out there and enjoy some gardening. That in itself, could be the best therapy for you. But I certainly understand how frightening it all can be.
Maryland Mom, I loved your testimony that you can get back to gardening and heal from lyme. Congratulations to you!
soccermamma, you are so right about the innocence lost. It is so tragic. I remember my kids jumping in leaf piles when they were small and I never once worried about ticks. Now we must worry all the time about our children and their children being bitten ticks.
We all deal with this horrible disease the best we can. I hope that the next generation of scientists will figure out a way to eradicate this horrible disease!
Posts: 2387 | From New England | Registered: Aug 2011
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