Lyme Bites and other Sad Tales and Farewells

• I walked into my doctor's clinic today only to receive the bad news. Johnny died. No Not Johnny, I thought.  So unfair.  I recently wrote about him in my blog- We were IV roommates.  Lyme really bites. When I left the clinic the words that came to my mind were- "Johnny goes marching home."  I know that without a shadow of a doubt that Johnny will be welcomed home and will talk and walk again.  Bless you Johnny.  You will be missed.   

• Other sad news- my sweet friend Sarah passed away on Friday.  A more amazing woman would be hard to find.  She suffered for the last 2 years with Multiple Myeloma. Her wonderful husband and 6 beautiful children will be most at a loss not seeing her smiling face and feeling her daily courage.  I will miss my dear friend and I have a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes just thinking about her. Good bye sweet Sarah.  The Heaven's welcome you and you are now in our Father's arms.

• Even though I am in treatment again, I know it will only be a short time.  I have been blessed.  I thank my Father in Heaven daily for my life, for my family and friends. 

• One of the things I am most thankful for is Max.  It has given me a chance to live again.  Please have the courage to try it for yourself. www.max.com/255092 

  

Blessings to you for a marvelous day.  It's a great day to be alive!
To Wellness,
Maryalice
 

 

Lyme Protocols and Other Daring Adventures.....

     I recently returned from the "happiest place on earth" where smiles are plentiful and high adventure reigns, especially for those of the roller-coaster variety. My own children thrill in multiple turns on a ride entitled "California Screamin". The name says it all, and this ride is definitely not made for the weak in stomach. My high adventure in Disneyland usually begins somewhere between the Carmel apple shop and the ice cream parlor- often twice in the same hour. Whoohoo. 

     My experience as a Lyme patient over the last 4 years might well qualify me as a high adventure type. Those of you in Lyme treatment know what I am talking about. And for those that experience considerable die-off, that might be a weekly, daily event or hourly event. Outlined below are some treatment protocols for Lyme disease. I have starred the ones that have worked for me. I would love to hear what works for you.  Please comment on my post.

 Lyme Protocols- some I have used, currently use, tried or discarded.

1. Salt and C- flooding the body with high doses of vitamin C and sea salt has proven to be one of the most natural and least expensive protocols around, with perhaps the greatest amount of die-off. I have a friend that swears by this method and claims it cured him.  He says the die-off was considerable.
2. Rife machine (device)- many lymies use this device as more of a gage at how they are doing than an actual treatment, although it can both detect supplements which are effective or not for your body as well as send off high frequencies that apparently kill off Lyme spirochete. I have many Lyme friends that use this device religiously. Hey, we do what works.
3. IV and oral antibiotics- Proven to be effective in killing large populations of Lyme over time. Best to be aggressive with treatment but not allowing die-off too rapidly. I have had great success with this form of treatment. It is expensive and destructive on the body. but hey what is worse- having Lyme, or treating for it? I guess that is a trick question.**
4. Bicillin shots- generally speaking, these work quite well for some. Personally speaking and by experience, I would rather hook up to IV daily than be stuck in the butt daily. Just saying. IV tends to be quicker in getting higher doses of antibiotic in and working. I have several friends that use shots eeffectively. Again $$$.**
5. Naet method muscle testing and elimination of Lyme by stimulating the body with a vibration while holding a vial containing spirochetes. Seems a little hokey, but we all have to start somewhere. Have tried this method, similar concept to Rife machine.**
6. Acupuncture- needles and pins. Dare I say more? Tried but wouldn't bet my life savings on it.
7. Hydrotherapy- super effective for toxin release. We all have toxins, but in Lyme treatment this process can be extremely helpful in elimination of large spirochetal toxins during die-off.**
8. Sauna- see above.**
9. Supplements- yeah, we all take them, and some are better than others, but as stand alone treatment. no way. You've got to kill the bugs.**
10. Hydrogen peroxide- super effective detoxifier. Pour in bath, or take in IV. Inexpensive with great results added to any protocol- but not a stand alone.**
11. Epsom salts- pour a couple cups in a hot bath. Follow with hydrotherapy. Effective, inexpensive detoxifier. Not a stand alone.**
12. Essential oils- Much to consider here.  Oregano and Frankincense- must look into this.*
13. Max Gxl- Glutathione Accelerator-This has perhaps been the best product overall for helping in a natural way by enhancing my wellbeing, energy, brain fog, focusing, pain, and deliverance from the evils of LYME.  Please check it out here and order it wholesale from my site:  www.max.com/255092  (and a special nod to Annie for telling me all about it.)

Do you have other ideas?? Let me know!

The Tick Wins

So, I am going back into treatment. I had a feeling it was coming, after the last episode of swallowing,tongue and speech issues. Part of me wants to treat it like taking out the trash, or giving someone a ride to school, you know, no biggee, but deep inside, I know it means so much more, and that's what I am grappling with.
 
Why do I have to analyze every aspect of my life? 
You know, it is what it is. 

Treatment to me means:

• My life is not my own- I will have to go along with the whimsies of the meds
• My children and husband will have a new mommy for a while- which incidentally means a messier house, with less home-cooked meals
• Some people won't GET it- I mean I will hear.. "I thought your were over that thingy- what did you call it...Lyme?"
• Die-off
• Probiotics and stomach aches
• Bloating
• Lots of PJ days- hmm...that might be kinda nice for a change....
• $$$
• Defeat- hmph... defeated by a minuscule little tick
• Can you think of anything else? The list goes on....

That's it for now.  I will fill you in when the fun times begin.
To wellness,
Maryalice

MY LYME FRIENDS

Four years ago I didn't know what Lyme disease was, let alone that I would have Lyme friends, or lymies.  In the world of Lyme disease, I suppose it is much the same as the world of any disease.  Those that you meet within your circle of recovery become your friends. 

On any typical treatment day, I might sit in the IV room with C, S or J one day, or K and E the next. We all had a story.  We all had been bit at one time in our lives and some of us didn't even know it. Most of us had nothing really in common except being bit.  Some of us had IV's with 2 grams of rocephin, some were just getting started with 1 gram.  Some had DMSO mixed in  and smelled of tomato juice or garlic.   Others came for a bit of energy and got a Myers Cocktail. We all knew what we needed and we all wanted out of there and done with Lyme as soon as humanly possible.  None of us had anywhere to go. All of us had been robbed of our lives. 

Some had IV's wrapped in foil to preserve the ingredient.  Others had chelation drips, Vit B or C drips, or Hydrogen Peroxide drips.  Some got stuck 2 or 3 times, if they couldn't find an unused vein, or if they just needed 2 different drips.  Some brought home-movies for the 2-3 hour wait- others music. Many came and hooked up for a much needed nap.  There were lavender and flax seed hot packs, camouflage band aids, rubber tourniquets and plastic surgical tape.  Some lymies had babies at home that in turn were infected with borrelia. Others were business owners, husbands, wives or parents that used to have a life. Some couldn't be understood because their speech was affected.  Others had rashes or couldn't walk.  Some were 16, others 50 but looked 80. 

One of my favorites was J.  He shuffled in, slumped down in a rocker-ankles the size of tree trunks. His knees and hands rattled away. He chatted to me in garbled phonemes. Turns out that he was diagnosed with Parkinson's originally, but his treatment for Parkinson's by another doctor only exaccerbated the Parkinson's. Five years ago he was a regular guy working in a mill.  A simple lab test discovered Lyme Disease, and now it may be too late to turn the ship around.  Progress is slow.  One IV at a time. ((update... Johnny passed away from Lyme...)) 

One day I met the mirror of my new life.  I sat there, hooked up, staring at my Lyme friend that had Lyme induced ALS.  His speech was limited, due to dysphasia- impairment of speech due to neurological brain damage. His gait was slow and shuffled.  He looked at me with his tender eyes, unable to speak and I just wept. ((update... Ernie passed away from Lyme...))

There are lots of Kleenex's in the treatment room. 

I love my Lyme friends.  I know they will always be there if I ever need them again.

AWWW, TO BE A MOM, NOW THAT IS SOMETHING!

" I love my children sir, and the thought of living without them is like living without air." 
Mrs. Doubtfire

When i was a little girl, i knew exactly what i wanted to do when i grew up.  i would travel to far away places, go to college to be smarter, and find a way to be successful.  well, i have traveled here and there, gone to college, and been successful in many things.  the thing that makes most sense to me though is something that i never really put much thought into.  being a mom.  being a mom to me is the most amazing gift.  it is like Christmas every day.  it is better than fame, fortune and even ice cream!  i am so humbled that God would grant me, little ol' me, the blessing to be the Wallis kids' mom.  who knew?  in all of the details that our Father in Heaven orchestrated, how truly humbled i am that he found favor in me, and gave unto me the most incredible children under Heaven.  Amen.

PONDER THE PATH OF THY FEET

Yesterday during church I participated in an excellent discussion about Priorities. The talk, originally from Julie Beck Women's Conference 2010 states that "When priorities are out of order, we lose power".

Consider our Daily Choices... Now, humor me and  make a list with 3 columns:
Essentials: Put things here of Eternal nature- prayer, church, scriptures, love, callings, etc.
Necessities:Put things here that are "have to's to live", eating, sleeping, hygiene, shopping, laundry ( I suspect this is where most of us live, most of the time)
Nice to do: Put things here that you enjoy doing ie. hobbies, pleasures, etc.

One young lady commented that when she was stressed out, she found herself filling her time with "Nice-to-do's", but later while on a mission, her life was filled with "Essentials" and she found so much joy in serving others, it naturally became her "Nice to do's".


Another comment I found insightful: 
Self Worth does not depend on the length of your to-do list! 
How many of us find ourselves busy beyond belief and accomplishing little?

Take a moment today to Ponder on the Path of thy Feet. 
Blessings!

Shutting the Door to Lyme--- Forever?

I stand behind a heavy door that reaches to the top of the universe, ready and more than willing to slam shut the illness that has racked my body for the past several years.
Questions come to mind:

• What do the little twitches and random numbness in my cheek mean? 
• What about the bouts of fatigue?
• Is there really such thing as remission with Lyme?
• What if I get bit again?
• Will I ever be 100%?

Knowing most of the answers,  I resolve to do what I have been taught to do:

• Keep my chin up and continue to pray.
• Count my many blessings.
• Keep my covenants and remain faithful.

What else can one do?  As I reflect, I seek for answers in my journal and realize that I am much further along than I expected, and for that alone, I rejoice. 

Journal dated December 5, 2009:
It has been almost 1 1/2 years since my last entry.  It has pained me to write, as I really do not want to actualize the words that I must write.  As the days and years have gone on and I see the purple edged spine of my lonely journal, my insides groan and I resist.  Why do I resist?  I am a coward, I suppose.  Perhaps by writing, I will reveal things I don't want to believe myself, however, time is of the essence, so to speak and I must write now, before the time may come that I won't be able to anymore. I am scared.  For the 1st time in my life, I face the fact that the keys of mortality are jangling in front of me and I am simply not ready emotionally to face that.  But, come what may, it is a fact of life, that God gives it, and at some point is taken from us.  But thank the Lord for eternal life, and eternal families.  How grateful I am for that.  My health has taken so many twists and turns but continues to decline, as I see it.  In 2005, I was vibrant, active, and healthy and walking 15 miles minimum a week, organizing conferences, writing a book and homeschooling successfully, I was primary president, I had life wrapped around my finger. Today, I am sedentary, my speech is slurred, my tongue is numb, my throat won't swallow, I can't remember things and I say things backward, use the wrong words for simple things, have labored breathing and am unable to participate in activities, exercise or organizations.  I can't lead or take charge of most things.  My gait is unsteady, I have no appetite, my eyes hurt and sting and I can't see when I get up.  I am taking about 25 products to keep my brain healthier and being treated for late stage disseminated Lyme disease, Epstein Barr Virus, chronic fatigue syndrome, a bacterial infection in my lungs and now my symptoms are manifesting ALS.  More than anything I want to be well again.  I want to raise my family, be a wife to my husband and live. I will try to be positive and happy and keep a good perspective. It is scary.  The things I read aren't good and the prognosis is awful.  There is no cure.

I am turning the knob now............