Living with Lyme

Hi! My name is Stephanie. I currently live in the North St. Paul, MN. I Grew up on a farm and loved the wide open spaces as a kid just as much as I do now well into adulthood. After high school I graduated from Moorhead State University with a degree in Social Work.  This was Spring of 1992.  Shortly thereafter I did a short term missions trip to Romania through an organization called  Youth With a Mission. I loved the experience but still didn't sense a calling to be a "career missionary" like many others.  My vocation has been mostly as a care giver to elderly folks but I have also done some retail. Growing up I always felt tired and run down. I just came to accept it as part of me. I did not really get sick a lot as a kid. I feel my life has been pretty average and I have been very blessed by all the wonderful experiences I have had and people I have met. Fast forward to 2005.  I was job hunting in the twin cities. It was very stressful as I had no health insurance. It was at this time I started having chronic insomnia. For 5 years plus I averaged 3-4 hours of sleep. I decided I had better move out of the cities and into a more peaceful area where it was easier to make a living as a single person. In 2006 I moved to Willmar, MN.  It was in about 2008 I started to have more "odd" symptoms. I felt like I had the flu all the time... I wasn't vomiting and had no digestive issues but was always nauseas with body aches and headaches. On top of the chronic insomnia. I searched diligently for answers going to over 12 dozen dr.s .... Until I was diagnosed with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome in 2010......at which time we looked at multiple things that played into my fatigue. Aside from vitamin and hormonal deficiencies I was also hypothyroid. I started treatment in January 2010.... wish I could say it resulted in an easy fix. I was hoping for "here take this med and you will be all better." No such luck. It was a "start" as in I had some improvement by that time. I had "some good days." I have been seeing my dr. now for 3 years. He had suggested doing yet "another" test last fall. It was for Lyme. I had not heard much about Lyme before. My dr. was convinced I had Lyme. Even though the other two tests for Lyme came back negative. So I was blessed to have a neighbor help pay for the test. Sure enough Thanksgiving of 2013 I was diagnosed with Lyme Disease. After 8 years of having the flu I honestly didn't know how much more I could take. In a way I was relieved as FINALLY we have a more definitive answer that I believe will result in some real progress. EVEN if.... it takes time. I am only able to work part time due to the ongoing fatigue, headaches, body aches, depression.anxiety, and nausea. Most days when I am not pushing myself to work I am at home laying under my hot house. The treatment of Lyme unfortunately is only "partially" covered by health insurance. A good portion of it is out of pocket. With Lyme your not only treating the bacteria but many other factors that play into the disease state ones' body has arrived at. There also are numerous co-infections present that need to be treated.  It affects multiple body systems and every case is different.   Remember it's been over 8 years now.. probably more. I am considered a Chronic Lyme case because of how long it's gone on. I am DEEPLY grateful for the support shown me so far and with your help hope to be on the path to full recovery from Lyme ... Very Soon. I know the Lord will continue to sustain me and prove His faithfulness to me as I journey forward into the HUGE unknown of HOW treatment will affect me. I also have a genetic condition that makes me susceptible to toxic overload which is yet another gliche to work with in attaining a full recovery.  THANK YOU and God's riches blessings to you for giving what you can.... It will most definitely be put to good use in whatever protocol the dr. recommends. There are multiple visits required with various treatments/therapies and professional grade supplements.  Any further questions of me please feel free to ask and I will be glad to answer them as best as  I can.  How can I pray for you??