Suggested Reading

     When I was first tested and diagnosed with Chronic Lyme Disease and multiple co-infections, I was in shock.  I could NOT believe that I tested positive for Lyme Disease, let alone have multiple co-infections.  Why?  Well, because I had many doctors over a 20 year span tell me that it’s NOT possible that I had Lyme Disease, because it didn’t exist in Florida AND I didn’t get bit by a tick.  Hence their reasons for NOT testing me.  When the Naturopathic Doctor in NH said that she believed I had Lyme Disease and several co-infections, I thought she was a quack.  However, since no one else was able to give me any answers, I agreed to get the testing that she wanted to have done, which needed to be sent to a lab in California and was very expensive.  I don’t remember exactly how much that initial visit and testing cost, but I do remember it was (at least) several hundred dollars.  THAT is a lot of money, especially when you’re financially struggling to survive on what little money you have coming in.

     It took me several months to accept that I not only had Chronic Lyme Disease (because it went undiagnosed and untreated for years – 20 to be exact), but that I had some serious co-infections in addition to the Lyme Disease.  Some of the ones she tested for and came back positive include Babesia, Bartonella, EBV (Epstein Barr Virus), and Candida.

     She told me that due to how long I’ve been exposed to these infections, including the Lyme Disease, that there was no cure for me.  Those are words that STILL haunt me today.  When I asked her if these infections are going to kill me, she said, “Probably.”  Her goal, since curing me wasn’t an option, was to help deter that for as long as possible and give me some type of quality of life back.  This is one reason why I am extremely angry, frustrated, and depressed.  Had at least ONE of the damn doctors I saw when I initially got bit had (at least) tested me and properly treated me then I would NOT be in this condition with these problems.  But that’s not the case.  So here I am, trying to have some type of life, doing what I can to help make it possible for me to see my son grow up and try my hardest to enjoy my life with him, my husband, our animals, and my other loved ones as much as I can.  That is a constant battle, especially when my body is so weak.

     That Naturopathic Doctor turned out to be an a.hole, but I am forever grateful that she (at least) believed me, got the necessary tests done to identify some of the problems I have, and begin some type of treatment.  I’ll share more in another blog why I think she’s an a.hole.

     One good piece of advice she gave was for me to learn as much as I could about my disease and co-infections.  I agree with her because it follows an old lesson my parents taught me as a child, “Knowledge is Power.”  Lord knows I needed something to help me have SOME empowerment to keep going, fight the good fight, and never give up.  I’m remembering a scene from the movie, “Monty Python’s Quest For The Holy Grail,” where the guy is walking around pushing a cart with bodies lying on it saying, “Bring Out Yer Dead.”  There was another character carrying an older guy who wasn’t dead.  He was saying, “I’m not dead.  I feel happy.”  Morbid, I know.  But that’s a sense of humor I have in order to keep myself from giving up.  Telling myself, “I’m not dead yet” and focus on what will make me happy to give me inspiration to “Just Keep swimming… Just keep swimming…” (Thank you, Dory.)

      I’ve been learning a lot from other doctors, including my current doctors, and the different educational materials I’ve found.  I’m only sharing some of the books I’ve read in this blog to (at least) give you something to start with.  The first book, “The Lyme Disease Solution” is one of a few books that gives some information about this disease (such as symptoms, experiences with ignorant & arrogant “Medical Professionals,”  some beginning details about Lyme Disease and it’s co-infections, and other interesting bits of information.

     The collection of books by Anthony William titled “Medical Medium” provide a wide variety of information and suggestions on things that may be helpful to your body and/or body parts.  These books were recommended to me by my LLMD, Dr. Kalidas.  The one titled “Medical Medium:  Secretes Behind Chronic and Mystery Illness and How to Finally Heal” taught me a LOT about my different co-infections, like EBV (Epstein Barr Virus) and is an easy reference since my memory is terrible.

     The book titled “The Great Health Heist” talks about one of the treatment approaches that I’m currently having done by one of my doctors called “Advanced Nutrition Response Testing.”  I’ll share more about that and my treatments in future blogs and videos.  This book was recommended by my doctor, Dr. Palmer of Palmer Natural Health.

     Let me share a quick background story.  I’ve known about Alternative medicine and treatments since I was little.  My first real lesson in using it came when we adopted my first two horses who came to us with serious health problems.  That adoption turned into a rescue/rehabilitation effort the day after we brought them home due to the horrible condition they came to us.  That’s another long story that I will also share in the future, hopefully sooner rather than later.  I kept a log during that time and will be including it in a book that I am working on with hopes that what we learned will help other fellow equine owners.  The point of me bringing this up is to share that it was during the time we adopted our boys that I got a hands on experience of using and learning more in depth about different alternative methods, treatments, and approaches.  SO, by the time I met Dr. Palmer and my LLMD, Dr. Kalidas of The Center for Natural and Integrative Medicine, I was open to giving their recommendations, suggestions, methods, approaches, treatments, etc.  a fair try.  After all, “Conventional” medicine and professionals failed me and contributed to my health declining as poorly as it has.

     I’m mentioning this because when you read these books, my blogs, or the information provided on their websites, some of you may be skeptical.  I can SO relate to you as part of me remains skeptical and part of me is a (for lack of a better word) Believer.  One thing life keeps teaching me is to do your best to keep as open a mind as you possibly can.  Had I NOT done that (and keep doing that) then I would not be making any positive progress with my health or the health of our animals.

     The other book listed below called, “The Fountain of Youth with Peptides” is another book that Dr. Kalidas suggested I read.  He is constantly encouraging me to educate myself on as many things as possible and I am VERY grateful that he does.  He and Dr. Palmer believe as I do that knowledge is power.  I am currently reading this book and will share more on what I think in another blog.  I wanted to share it NOW because I’ve found that all the books Dr. Kalidas has recommended I read have proven to be VERY informative and helpful.