My wish - to heal.

From my childhood through  my 40's, how would someone describe me? Friendly, sporty, deep, compassionate, talented, driven, courageous, enthusiastic, thoughtful, upbeat, funny, one who loved life, and definitely a California girl. I cannot say anyone who meets me now would say the same. This is my story.
Those of you who know me are probably familiar with my past journey in my 30's, and know my life was pulled out from under me due to an egg sized tumor in my head. I suffered for 3 years trying to figure out what was wrong with me. Just getting a doctor to listen was a chore.  After the surgery in 1992, I rose above the paralysis of my face and loss of nerves combining modern medicine, meditation and yoga. You can read the story of my recovery from major cranial surgery clicking the link below. My dear friend honored me by writing my story. It was a long road, yet my energy and hope never faded. I went through tough times, for sure, but I never felt the way I have battling Chronic Lyme. 
I am not sure when the Lyme was contracted. In 2000, I was incorrectly diagnosed and hospitalized in a dual diagnosis unit in Berkshire County, Massachusetts when I experienced severe vertigo, distended belly, spots on my body, difficulty accessing words, and difficulty walking. The way I was treated in the hospital was appalling and inhuman. I felt I had a sign on my forehead reading "If you are a doc, please misdiagnosis me. I am not worthy of good health care." It was very traumatic and the 40 days that encompassed the whole experience until I was properly diagnosed were an emotional disaster and I was very very ill. It was Dr Leo Galland in NYC who finally found the cause and I began to heal. Though, I was never the same. Having an intestinal infection for that long didn't kill me, but drained my body of important nutrients for a long period of time. And the unnecessary stress of being misdiagnosed was in my opinion truly ridiculous. 
I will never know 100% if the Lyme was part of that picture or if it was a separate occurrence. I do know that having entamoeba histolytica, a rare intestinal infection, left me with a weaker system.
I continued to live in The Berkshires and met my husband in 2004. He brought me to Dr. Bush in Berkshire County. Dr. Bush pulled me off gluten immediately. It was like a miracle happened. No more naps. No more fatigue. I was rockin' it. In 2005, I married Steve, became a stepmom to Kyle, Chris, Corey, and Katie, and I felt my life had come full circle where my dreams of love, family, and home had blessed me. I even have 3 grandkids now!
I also grew my yoga tee and clothing business by 400% and opened the Ancient Language Boutique in 2008. I loved it. We designed and created our wholesale clothing in the back and had the retail shop in the front where our brand was merchandised with other cool merchandise. The creative expression was so satisfying and I loved connecting with customers and bringing them joy through fashion and inspiring tees.
I was doing great up until 2011, when I would get sick twice a year with spinal pain, fever, fatigue, brain fog, concentration problems, and radiating pains. I was treated for 2 weeks with Doxycycline with Lyme as a suspected cause. Still, symptoms came back and worsened, until in 2013, Chronic Lyme was confirmed. What was Lyme? Why was it so complicated and unclear? Didn't I just take medicine and heal? Why so much controversy? The kid's grandmother suggested I see Dr. Hoadley in East Longmeadow, MA. I was put on multiple antibiotics and supplements and began to improve. Then, I was on IV antibiotics for about 4 months, with more improvement. I thought that was the end of it. Not with Chronic Lyme...
In 2014, my husband took a job offer in Orlando, and we moved. I thought I could handle the stress. I was always so adaptable. Not so much, I found out. In 2015, he lost that job and we were under even more stress for 10 months when he finally received a job offer. Talk about being tested in life. Wow. We made it through and are putting the pieces back together from several difficult years. We are blessed in many ways.
Back to the reason I am asking for funds. I have realized that to heal from Chronic Lyme and the awful symptoms I experience during flare ups, it is going to cost a lot of money. The treatment insurance covers includes antibiotics only. Well, that is not how people are getting their life back. I am not the me I was. I am  foggy headed, overwhelmed,  irritable, exhausted, have trouble concentrating, in pain every day, depressed, and feel hopeless at times. I cannot make plans. I never know what I am going to be able to do. I feel like I have been beaten up by life and it is hard to find purpose. Some days I feel like I am wading through mud just to get to my desk to keep my business going. Thankfully, I have a great assistant who picks up the slack and acts as my memory. My passion for life has decreased tremendously. My spirit is weakened. I wonder if I can keep relationships going. Sometimes I feel like my body is present, but my head is floating and I cannot compute thoughts. My filtering noise, light, and conversation is not possible and I end up feeling sheer frustration. The struggle with finding a good physician who knows what protocol to follow is difficult. They are called LLMDs, Lyme Literate Doctors. Insurance does not cover most of my care, nor does it cover new testing that has come out to better define the co-infections created by the tick. I manage to push through a lot of this and try and hide how bad I feel. That behavior is not helping me and I need to make a full commitment to getting well. Antibiotics effect my digestion very badly, so that may not be an option. I have done a lot of research to find the best protocol for my body and illness.
I need intelligent medical care and want to heal. That is my wish. To be the best me I can be again and to find passion for this thing called life!
I have investigated my options and have recently found some great people to help me on this path to recovery. Through a private Facebook group of women, I was lead to an in network physician studying functional medicine about 20 minutes away. I have chatted with people about his protocols for wellness, how Lyme had effected other dormant viruses to become activated and how strong of a "DO NOT GIVE UP" physician he is.  I am grateful to say that after 1 month, I am already feeling some life energy again, brain fog has lifted and I have clear direction and more clarity through specific lab testing as to what is going on.
I have lowered the total cost for my campaign, for currently, the cost is about $1000 per month for treatment that is not covered by insurance. Your contributions are healing me and I thank you every so sincerely. You rock!
I am able to work at maintaining my clothing business as Ancient Language 97 grows. I have dreams I want to pursue and I want to appreciate life again. 
Also, if writing my healing journey can help other, please let me know. Any other ways to help others heal from this disease through my having it are welcome too!

Peace and blessings,
Annette (Netty)
My supportive awesome sister Joanie.
My new Goldendoodle puppy, Sadie.
My loving patient hubby, Steve.
My Florida friends.

This is my husband & I in 2008. I had energy, love for life, love, and travelled to my home state, California! Can't wait to have that vitality back. 


https://www.goodgirlgogogo.com/blog/?month=january-2014