Take time to be thankful

I have been on this board for many years now, starting in 2005 when I was looking for answers to feeling horribly including depression and severe anxiety.  I wasn't diagnosed with lyme until 4 years later so needless to say it was a rough period in my life. 

Luckily and thankfully I went through and continue through many years of treatment which I believe will continue for life.  Chronic Lyme is just that kind of illness. 

However, I am happy.  Feel good. Have my life back.  It is possible.  I believe once I took the time to realize that this was it - that lyme had now become part of my life and I was going to do my best to feel as good as I possibly could and make the best of it, it really helped.  I let go of the anger and the thinking that I was never going to be myself again. 

Thinking positive can really help.  Learn to do deep breathing and listen to calming music.  Let people help you and help others if you can.

Happy Thanksgiving!  I wish you all healing.

springsjean—
I am so happy you posted—I hate that you've struggled for so long but appreciate that you continue to post and share your story.

I agree w/ Marie—positive energy is the key to healing.

I am, by nature, a cynical and overly suspicious person! ;) Part of it is for fun (think of Karen Walker on Will and Grace) but part of it comes from a rough childhood and dark humor became my coping mechanism.

But I think I got darker due to the lyme & co. messing with my brain, neurotransmitters, cognition. I really scared myself sometimes—especially in my misery before finally being diagnosed with lyme & co. And after a very slow and arduous start with the treatment, I finally decided that I was going to have to overcome the psychosis of this condition (the infection is clearly in my brain and it's trying very hard to make me insane) so every day I have to focus specifically on something positive. And also— I have to put that positivity out there because I need help from others to get through this and if I have to be open and receptive to receive it. It isn't easy but it is as necessary as oxygen.

Great posts—this Thanksgiving I am grateful for hope and knowledge and also grateful that I am in very good company on this forum. We WILL beat this!!

-p

Thank you for the nice post! Happy Thanksgiving to you too and everyone else!