Taking Control

I was diagnosed with lyme a year and a half ago. Treated it, went into remission. Babesia showed up, treated it, went into remission. Lyme flared up, treated it, went into remission. Lyme and babesia flared up, treating it a new way.

With the help of an AMAZING mentor, I have decided to take control of my own health care. Don't get me wrong, my integrative doc is great, but VERY expensive and I was getting tired of the roller coaster ride. I needed to get this figured out.

During the month of August things flared a bit, but manageable. October, my daughter got married. And while it was a VERY happy event, there still was a lot of stress. I thought I could lie low and let my body's immune system kick. (I really didn't want to shell out the money for the doc especially right after the wedding). Well, the holidays came and BAM!!! I knew I needed to do something.

So this time I have been taking it slow, supporting my immune system, thyroid and adrenals during this process. I started with a a good detox routine while trying to absorb as much info as I could for the best route for me to go. My mentor gave me several options, so I read and tried to grasp each one.

By mid January I knew how I wanted to proceed. I ordered my "goodies", got ready to start and life hit me with a wrecking ball. My brother of 48 died suddenly. The stress from that was unreal, but with help from my mentor sharing tips on how to help my body deal with the excess stress, I got through. (btw, those tips have a lot to do with detoxing. It's SO important!!!)

Mid February I started my healing journey. Currently I am following Dr. Buhner's protocol for babesia, though I am not at the doses he recommends. Nor did I start taking all three at once. I started with one seeing how my body responded, let it herx, feel better, than start the next. There are days I just want to blast all these buggers out like I did before, but this time for me I feel like slow and steady will win this race.

I just started the 3rd tincture for the babesia and will listen to how my body and how it responds before starting to treat for the lyme. I also want to get some meals in the freezer for when I start lyme treatment. It may not be a bad herx, but being prepared is not a bad thing. Making this decision is one thing that has made ME feel in control. Not the doc telling me what to do, how much and when, and not even lyme. I know the battle with lyme may not a a down hill leisure ride, but it will be on my terms this time. And I will be victorious!!!!!

Sounds like a plan Living-free! I totally agree with the 'slow & steady' wins the race approach. It is just too MUCH when we throw everything we got at em....and the bugs essentially retaliate and throw everything back!!

The tips with dealing with stress from your mentor, would you mind sharing some or any internet links if there is info somewhere? I try to incorporate diff stress-relieving things but I am always open to some more!

I am very sorry to hear about your brother.


-Courtney

Good luck!

I loved all the encouragement. Thank you.

Hubby and I went to a home and garden show yesterday. We were also able get to the downtown market A very lovey day, but lots of walking and people. Last night I felt very out of shape and I ached all over. This morning I woke up realizing that while I am out of shape, I had made the lyme very cranky at me. The wonderful post made me giggle a it as I feel I wasn't very gentle on my body yesterday. I haven't started treating the lyme yet, and didn't even think about what all the walking would do, as it is a form of exercise. But I'm learning as I go. So today will be chillaxed. I did have my meals planned for last night and today since I knew I would be tired, though not know I'd be feeling like this. I feel very enlightened. Kinda weird.

Rowingmom, I can see how low doses longer could be more effective. I hit these bugs fast and hard the first time I went through this and wow!!! It was tough on my family. There were day I could hardly go from the couch to the bathroom. I don't wish to repeat that.

happyjo, I'm sorry to hear about your mom. It is tough. I was super protective over my parents during the first couple of weeks. The thought of losing them is beyond what I could handle. Hugs and prayers!!

Orchid_rain, I don't have a web site to share. They were simply things I hadn't, nor probably would have thought about. My brother died suddenly, but not instantly. He was on life support for 4 days before we made that tough decision. So I spent a lot of time at the hospital, which was an hour and a half from my home. I stayed with my parents, who were a bit closer, but it was still hard.

To help my body with the stress I made sure I was continuing my supplements, and drinking lemon water (I brought bottles water and cut up lemons with me to the hospital). I also made sure I had good snacks to eat. I took time during the day to rest in a quiet place with my eyes closed, and I cried, A LOT!!!!! I was only sleeping about 5 - 6 hours a night before this happened and during it I was getting 3 or 4.

I tried to make sure I was breathing well, but that wasn't something at the forefront of my mind. I had to change that however. After about a week I started having panic attacks and hyperventilating.

So I would have to say a big tip, which you probably already know, is being gentle on my body. I have definitely found that mental stress (especially now) is a lot harder on me than the physical stress of dealing with this disease. If I can be gentle on my body with the physical stuff, it does help with the mental.....most days. hahaha!!!!

The next thing that has helped me is talking with a friend. Being able to vent and share is a big outlet for that emotional stress. Having someone who understands has been a huge benefit.

Persephone,
I'm glad I could help put a smile on your face.

My meals are pretty basic. One thing I do, when possible, is to make a bigger batch. For example, A couple of weeks ago I made chili. I double the batch and froze half of it. Friday night I pulled it out. In the morning before we left for the "day out", I put it in the crock pot. Boom! Dinner ready when we walked in the door.

I do this for chili, meatballs, and lasagna (sometimes with lasagna I freeze just the meat sauce I make up, then assemble when we want it. Other times I'll make it up and freeze it already made.) I also double beef stew, and the filling for chicken and biscuits, which is also tasty for pot pies. Though those are more labor intensive with the dough. When I roast a whole chicken, I do two at a time. I pull the meat of one and freeze in in portions for other meals, like chicken soup. I also double my chicken stock recipe, so I have 6 quarts to put in the freezer.

I hope this helps for some ideas and to serve as a spring board for your own.

Oh y goodness, bluebyyou, so many great ideas on that link. And for the crockpot!!!!!!! Added bonus!! Thanks so much for sharing.

I haven't been on the main page yet, but you might want to start a topic for this and post that link. I bet a lot of people would be interested in it.

I'm so excited about them. Thanks again!!!!

thank you both for the inspiring do-ahead food ideas!

sometimes by dinnertime i'm just wiped out and my hands hurt too much to mess around with chopping, etc.

Thanks! I need to do that since I tend to get sleepy around the time I should be starting dinner.