Life with Lyme

It sure isn't a walk in the park, that's for sure!!! Once again we're smack dab in the middle of this battle with Lyme. I've had a few people ask how Jon's doc makes his diagnosis, so I thought I'd explain what goes on at each appointment.

Every 4 to 6 weeks Jon sees his doctor. All the normal office routines take place, as well as a mile long list of questions. The questions never change, but Jon's answers do. The doc takes notes on all of Jon's answers and then compares the results. 

Jon has a confirmed diagnosis from IGeneX, Inc, and his doc is following treatment plans accordingly. For the last 6 weeks Jon's Lyme symptoms were minimal compared to his co-infection (Bartonella's) symptoms, so we were actively fighting the Bartonella. At Thursday's appointment Jon's Bartonella symptoms were improving (not great, but improving), but his Lyme symptoms were in full force again. Jon's rash was also more bothersome. Here is a picture that looks very similar to Jon's. This is NOT Jon, but I wanted to share what his looks like to give you all an idea. When Lyme is attacking Jon's body the rash grows and itches horribly. Unfortunately not all Lyme patients get the rash, many don't even know that they were bit by a tick.

Jon's rash looks VERY similar to this rash...

For the next 6 weeks Jon will be doing Pulse Treatment to kill the Lyme & Bartonella. Daily he will take his Bactrim for the Bartonella and then he will add Metronidazole for 2 weeks, then he will switch to Minocycline for 2 weeks. This will continue for the 6 weeks, and we pray that it will kill both the Lyme & Bartonella. If this treatment does not work then we will talk about a new line of treatment. As Jon's doctor finished his list of questions and physical examine, he sat back on his stool, pushed the computer screen out of the way and looked at both Jon and I with a perplexed look. It's so frustrating that what works for some doesn't work for others. Oh how I wish there was a miracle drug that would kill the Lyme and give Jon back his life. Yes, we are striving to live life to its fullest, but it freaking sucks being in the middle of this!!!

I LOVE MY LYMIE!!!

Please continue to pray for Jon and our family...
Pray for:

• Jon's physical health especially his joints in his fingers & elbows, his back and his feet.

• Jon's short term memory issues, they come and go, but are becoming more bothersome.

• Jon's treatment... he's going to be hit hard with large doses of antibiotics, pray that his body can handle all of the meds.

• The girls, they know daddy is sick and have so far handled it very well. We don't hide the sickness from them, but we do protect them emotionally from the stress of this nasty disease.

• Our marriage... believe me, it's not all sunshine and rainbows over here. The stress of this disease on our marriage gets the best of us at times, but at the end of the day, Jon and I both know that we are in it together. We made that commitment to each other 11 years ago and it holds true now, more than ever!!!

• My mental well being... Lyme stress is not the only stress I'm battling these days and I could really use extra prayers to keep it all together and not have a mental breakdown. 

In closing I just want to thank everyone again for all of the support and love. When you are struck with sickness you find out quickly who your true friends are, and I have to say we are truly blessed. A special thanks to the my dear friends who had been that shoulder to cry on, whether it's literally a shoulder to cry on or just a simple text at the end of the day, THANK YOU!!! 

Enough is enough... time to get off this computer and Make EVERY Moment Count. 

Much Love,
Jenn