#LivingwithLyme
Morning! And summer break has officially started as of yesterday! I’m so very grateful that I’m a teacher. At least for for right now, I think it makes having a chronic illness and working just a little bit easier at least for now.
While I have a list of things I want to do around the house this summer, ie clean paddle fans, reorganize cabinets, and clean our storage room, I’m also trying NOT to feel guilty if I don’t get to those things. But, during the school year, it’s just too hard for me to do those little things and work.
It sounds crazy, right? But with the chronic fatigue, I just never know. And the flare I’ve had this spring has been really bad and long. Even the thought of trying to make a grocery list seems so daunting. Physically, I’m just exhausted (not sleepy, necessarily). Mentally, I’m have trouble processing anything, remembering anything, like you know, words! I’d love to read; I have several books picked out for summer reading, but my brain just isn’t working enough to do it.
During this break, I have a lot of hope that I can gain some or more like a lot healthwise. I want to try to get my sleep patterns better and without medication, if possible. I’d like to add 20-30 minutes on the elliptical a few days a week, if possible. I’d like to get my brain actually functioning normally, if possible. Yet, I’m also trying not to pressure myself on these things because that for sure doesn’t help!
Many of the symptoms I’m dealing with right now really remind me of what I was dealing with when I first and finally (4 years undiagnosed) was diagnosed with Lyme disease. I’m not sure it means anything, but there’s no test to make sure Lyme is gone from the body….and while Lyme can be treated effectively if caught early (like within a couple of months), mine raged on for several years, unknown. So, it’s definitely what the CDC calls Post Lyme Treatment Syndrome or it may well be chronic Lyme disease. Again, no way to check if the bacteria is completely cleared from the system. None.
Alright, so I’m going to try to be productive some before I need to lay down and rest. I’m hoping I’ll get to see my step-daughter today for lunch. I’ll have to play it by ear and see how I’m feeling, but I’m hoping I get to hang out with her today!
I hope all of you have a great Tuesday! Take care, friends! – b
As I read over your symptoms and how it feels for you, I kept thinking the panDAMNic certainly hasn’t help with being able to do the things we’d like to accomplish or need to handle. Be gentle as well as patient with yourself. Norman & Elsa send puppy kisses while I send ‘pawsitive’ healing energy your way.
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You are right. I think for sure the pandemic has affected me and everyone else! in ways unknown. School was really difficult this year because we taught both remote (zoom) and face to face all year. I really appreciate your very kind words, and I am 100% sure that puppy kisses are what the doctor ordered! ♥️
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At least any doctor worth their mettle! My hat’s off to you. Being an educator is no easy feat, but trying to be one during a panDAMNic must be a nightmare. Hang in there and keep succeeding!
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I like your spelling. Will be using that as it really is more appropriate! LOL I’m embarrassed to say that I completed my 20 years of service this May but it’s also been the hardest year of teaching for me. What the heck? I honestly just missed connecting with the students so much. I’ll need to remember that in the fall when our classes are bursting 🙂
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This past year has been one for the books, that’s fir sure and I hope to not have to read that book ever again. With my children grown with families dealing with schooling in these troublesome times, I’ve been spared what educators have faced. You truly have my sincere admiration. Here’s hoping autumn will take on some element of normalcy. 🤞🏻
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Enjoy your summer- and don’t forget your main summer job – to rest and recuperate!
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Thank you! My mom just told me the same thing yesterday. I appreciate it so much. Have a good day! 🙂
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Enjoy your vacation time, take it one day at a time, and keep cool if it gets hot where you are. Here we’re supposed to be 106 F tomorrow! 🙂
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Hi! Thank you! Wise words, my friend! Oh wow! Are you here in Texas, too? Please be careful with the heat. We’ve had ok temps because it’s been raining almost every day for like 3 weeks here in the Houston area. But that sun is out now full blast and with the added humidity….oiy!
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Yes, we’re in Lubbock Tx and it sure gets hot in the summer here, too. I’m sure where you are y’all have a lot of humidity to deal with, also. Yes, we stay inside most of the time, and the A/C is working good (knock wood). I remember one summer it went out and it was miserable until we got it fixed. We could do with some more rain, for sure. 🙂
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Oh man, I’m sure it gets super hot up there! We also spend most of the summers inside. Normally, in June, we can be out early morning or in the evening, but because of all of this rain, the mosquitoes are really horrible, even if we’re sprayed down. They don’t even care if you’re sprayed down! I’m hoping if I can get the grass mowed that might help but there’s still standing water everywhere 😦 Glad your AC is working well and that it stays that way! We need to get a regular checkup on ours soon for sure. I can’t imagine going without it like y’all had to do! Sending good rain vibes your way!
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Thanks for the good rain vibes. We did have some last month, and I love a good thunderstorm. We were laughing yesterday that not that long ago we were freezing and wishing for hot weather! haha
Take care and keep cool this summer! It’s good to hear from you from time to time. ❤
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How true! I can’t believe it’s only been 3+ months since the winter storm. On one hand it seems like yesterday, and on the other, a long time ago. I hope Texas never sees that again. Take care and stay in touch! ♥️
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Thank you for sharing!! you know what they say about all work and no play… 🙂 sometimes I believe we all have the same thoughts as Rose Milligan… 🙂
Dust if you must, but wouldn’t it be better
to paint a picture, or write a letter,
bake a cake, or plant a seed.
Ponder the difference between want and need.
Dust if you must, but there is not much time,
with rivers to swim and mountains to climb!
Music to hear, and books to read,
friends to cherish and life to lead.
Dust if you must, but the world’s out there
with the sun in your eyes, the wind in your hair,
a flutter of snow, a shower of rain,
this day will not come round again.
Dust if you must, but bear in mind,
old age will come and it’s not kind.
And when you go, and go you must,
you, yourself, will make more dust!
(Rose Milligan)
Until we meet again..
May flowers always line your path
and sunshine light your way,
May songbirds serenade your
every step along the way,
May a rainbow run beside you
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart
each day your whole life through.
(Irish Saying)
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I hope the summer break does you good! I hope you made it to lunch with your stepdaughter 💜
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I know it’s kind of different but I have long COVID and it’s awful. Don’t know how you’ve managed it for all that time.
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Hi Vinny, I’m really sorry to hear this! Are there any treatments available for long COVID?
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Well I’m going to a long COVID clinic in a couple of weeks so I’ll see. They give ideas how to manage the fatigue, chest pains, breathlessness and so on. It’s a long list! How have you found living with Lyme disease?
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I really hope that’s helpful. I’m sure it will be! I’ve been dealing with chronic Lyme for about 8 years. There are ups and downs. It’s been hard to accept that it probably isn’t going to go away. I’ve tried all kinds of treatments – that I could afford lol
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That must be very difficult at times for you. I suppose you have to listen to your body. It’s good and bad days isn’t it. I’m very lucky that here in the UK we have the NHS so all treatment is free.
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Yes, I’m sure like for you, there are good and bad days, weeks. So, are there any kinds of treatments for long COVID? What kinds of things are you dealing with if you don’t mind me asking? Mine are fatigue, joint pain, memory issues, headaches. Other things pop up here and there, but those above are the most prevalent. I’m so glad you have treatment for free!
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They check you over first. X-ray, medical that kind of thing then it’s different therapy’s. Not sure what because I’ve only just started it. My symptoms sound same as yours! Feeling so tired most of the time. I seem to improve a bit then bang, I get fever, joint pains, breathlessness etc. At the minute tinnitus is driving me nuts! The whistling is so loud! We are very lucky here with the NHS because so many people couldn’t afford the treatment.
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I really hope you can find something that can help alleviate the symptoms, especially tinnitus! Ugh! That has to be terrible!
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Thank you. Yours must be very hard to live with. The constant high pitched whistling is driving me insane!
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I hope it goes away soon. It sounds terrible!
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On the plus side the deafness is handy when people ask me to do something….
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LOL I like how you think!
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You have to look on the bright side don’t you!
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You are like me with the projects. So much needs to be done but how much of it can we get done? And what doesn’t get done… no guilt? Haha. I am so grateful that you are sharing your journey. I don’t feel like such a whiner. ❤
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Que, ese? Quit spamming me.
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