2017 Highlights

Hello everyone!

I just thought I'd touch base as it's been a while.  2017 has been an interesting year in the Lyme world with more publicity for Lyme and some small, but positive steps with regard to advocacy.

Firstly, we saw the establishment of the G. Magnotta Lyme Disease Research Lab at the University of Guelph this year, with a $1.4 million grant from the government.  I had been waiting for this announcement for a couple of years.  The last I had heard, it was supposed to be in conjunction with the Humber River Hospital, but apparently that plan fell through.  I am glad to see this partnership established and look forward to hearing about their research. 

Secondly, we saw some baby steps towards progress in conversations between a particular Lyme advocacy group and the federal government.  Sue Faber and Jennifer Kravis call themselves LymeHope, and they had a very successful campaign to collect and deliver 2 700 letters from Lyme sufferers all over Canada to then Health Minister Jane Philpott.  Click on the LymeHope link to read more about their story and what is in store.  I was pleased to be one of the 2 700 people to tell my story to the Health Minister.  Thank you so much, Sue and Jennifer, for your tireless effort!

This year, we saw Lori Dennis, a psychotherapist from Toronto, promote her new book, Lyme Madness.  The book recounts her son's harrowing journey to heal from Lyme, but in addition, she does a fabulous job explaining the roadblocks we face in Canada with regard to our medical system.  All of your questions about the madness of this situation will be answered in her book.  Her book also includes dozens of accounts from Lyme sufferers in Canada.  I was so pleased to have my personal story included in her book.  This book is a fantastic read and I highly encourage everyone to get a copy!

I have spent some time updating a few things on my blog.  If you check out my Books tab above, I have added several new books to the list.  More is being written about Lyme every year it seems, and "famous" Lyme sufferers are coming out of the woodwork, with several publishing their Lyme stories.

I have also added an update to the My Lyme Story tab above.  If you scroll down to the end, there is some information about what's been going on with me the past couple of years.  Every day is a struggle, but through those struggles, I have come to better understand God's blessings in my life.

I'm praying for you all, and hoping for a better future for all of us Lyme sufferers in Canada.
 

Rain on a Distant Roof

Vanessa Farnsworth is a Canadian writer who has published a book journaling her experience with Lyme disease while trying to access help through the Canadian health care system.  I've read excerpts of her book online and it is very good.....gripping, in fact.  Nevertheless, I'm not sure if I can bring myself to read it.....yet.  It's hitting a little too close to home for me at the moment.  I'm sure I will pick it up at some point as I love non-fiction.  Thank you, Vanessa, for sharing your story with us, and exposing the horror of this illness as well as the flaws in our medical system.

Check out Vanessa's excellent website and blog here.

Lots of reading!

Way to go, Maclean's Magazine, for publishing a balanced article about Lyme disease.  The more we can educate people, the more people will take precautions.  After all, the best "cure" for Lyme is to never contract it in the first place.  Click here to read the article in Maclean's.

On a personal note, I thought I'd give you an update about my life with Lyme.  I stopped antibiotics around January 1 of this year, but re-started them a few weeks ago because symptoms started creeping back.  On top of that, I caught the worst cold ever 2 1/2 weeks ago, and it's still hanging on.  The cold, combined with the Lyme, has pretty much done me in the past 2 weeks. 

Yesterday, I had the worst fatigue I've had in a couple of years.  I came home from work, laid down on the couch, and could.not.get.up!  Hubby had to make dinner, do the dishes, run our son to an event, make the lunches, and drag me up to bed!  Thankfully, after a half-decent night's sleep, I'm feeling considerably better today, though still tired.

I'm trying to follow a detox diet currently, but I keep falling off the wagon!  The book that inspired me is called The Detox Diet by Toronto naturopath Natasha Turner.  Perhaps you've seen her on The Marilyn Show or Dr. Oz.  The book is fabulous, and I have no doubt that following the diet would do wonders for my (and everyone's) health.  So, I'll get back on it tomorrow and hopefully persevere a little longer this time.  With Lyme disease, it is very important to control inflammation by eating a healthy diet free of sugars and low in starchy carbs. 

I also purchased the book Why Can't I Get Better?  Solving the Mystery of Lyme and Chronic Disease by MD Richard Horowitz.  The book is much thicker than I realized when I ordered it, so it's not a quick read.  It chronicles Dr. Horowitz's practice treating Lyme for the past 25 years with lots of patient stories as well as valuable medical information.  If you have Lyme disease, it's worth it to have a copy of this hanging around for reference.  Dr. Horowitz has quite a sense of humour which shines through in various parts of the book.  Check out his Ballad of the Deer Tick on YouTube!

Hoping this post finds you well, with a happy heart despite circumstances.  Spring is just around the corner (at least I think it is!) and I know I am looking forward to warmer days, sunshine, flowers, and the yearly reminder that new life can spring from a cold, dark place.