Responses to the article, sinus infections, and allergic reactions

We are overwhelmed at the responses to the news article! It was in the paper Sunday and my parents said that tons of people at church came up to them and told them they already read the article. We've gotten emails and calls from people who think they or someone they know have Lyme and need help on where to go. It's amazing how the CDC says that there is not Lyme in Oklahoma, and yet we are getting calls and emails like crazy. We know of SO many people here who have Lyme, but have had to go out of state to get diagnosed and get treatment. Something needs to change. Doctors are just giving people "band aid" diagnoses, when they should be finding the underlying cause to the symptoms. They will give you a different medicine for every symptom and then tell you that you should be better. What happened to doctors wanting to help their patients?

For the doctors who actually do try and want to help I am so thankful. It's wonderful to be able to talk to others who have found a good doctor and be able to exchange information.

So thank you for all the encouraging comments about the article!

I did go to the doctor Friday and I have a sinus infection. I was put on a strong antibiotic. Sunday I woke up and one of my eyes was swollen and I just didn't feel good. We went to an after hours clinic to make sure everything was okay, and the doctor gave me steroids and a strong anti-inflammatory. Monday I woke up and my face, arms, and chest looked like I was sunburned. I thought that was weird but didn't think much more of it. Then I was in the shower and my throat started closing up. Thankfully that all passed soon. I went downstairs and took my antibiotic and other medicines just as my mom was getting home. I told her about what happened and she said I'm probably allergic to one of my medicines. Oh great, I just took all my medicines. She called the doctor and while we were waiting for them to call back, the reaction started again. My face got so red and hot and my throat was closing up. The doctor called in a medicine to the pharmacy and we rushed to get it. It didn't stop the reaction so we went to my primary care. They immediately took me back and gave me a steroid shot and a shot of Phenergan. It finally started helping and stopped the reaction. There are several things that I could have been allergic too. It could have been the antibiotic, steroid, or anti-inflammatory. We're thinking it was the antibiotic or anti-inflammatory. So for now I have to stay away from an anti-inflammatory. My doctor prescribed me a new antibiotic which I started yesterday.

I really haven't done anything in the past week because I haven't felt good. I'm just resting and trying to feel better! My infection just started on one side, but now it's in both. The new antibiotic is only 3 days, but hopefully it will work and get rid of the infection. It seems like everyone we know has a sinus infection.

Here is a song that I recently heard and loved it.

Always by Kristian Stanfill
"Troubles surround me, chaos abounding
My soul will rest in You
I will not fear the war, I will not fear the storm
My help is on the way, my help is on the way

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
I lift my eyes up, my help comes from the Lord
From You Lord, from You Lord

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always
I will not fear, His promise is true
My God will come through always, always

Oh, my God, He will not delay
My refuge and strength always, always"


"I lift up my eyes to the mountains— 

   where does my help come from?
² My help comes from the LORD,
   the Maker of heaven and earth.
 ³ He will not let your foot slip—
   he who watches over you will not slumber;" Psalm 121:1-3

I hope you're having a great day!

Newspaper Article is online!

The article that will be in the newspaper is now online! It's more detailed than the video and has quotes from several more people. I hope you enjoy reading it! We're so glad we were given this opportunity to share our story with Late Stage Lyme Disease.

Oklahoma City woman's family uncovers a medical mystery, Lyme disease | NewsOK.com

Lyme Disease | NewsOK Videos

Lyme Disease | NewsOK Videos

Click on the link above to watch part of our interview! The article should be in the paper tomorrow or Monday!!

Your questions answered!

I've had a few questions that I thought I would answer on here! If you have any more questions, please comment on here or email me and I will answer them!

•  How are you doing, besides physically? -I'm doing good! I'm looking forward to college and getting to hopefully live a more "normal" life. I'm getting do more than I have in a several years. However, when I don't feel good, it seems to be a lot harder than before. As I have more good days where I'm feeling better and seeing some normalcy, it's so hard when reality hits and I'm sick again. This week I have not felt very well because I've had very little sleep, and a constant headache that won't go away despite several medicines. It's a reminder that I'm going to have to take things slower than my friends because I'm still very weak. So I am very thankful for the past few weeks that have been great, and am learning how to balance my health. My body just can't keep up with all that I want to do. It's harder than I thought.
• How are you able to do everything that you have done the past couple of weeks (finish high school after not being in school for 2 and a half years, take the ACT, do a news interview about my journey with Lyme Disease, enroll in college, and get out of the house a lot more) when just several weeks ago you were in ICU and very, very sick. -That is a very good question! God has always given me the strength I need to fulfill His plan for my life. Once I got out of the hospital after the stay in ICU due to a severe medicine interaction, I started gaining my strength back and feeling better. I know the 2 months of treatment in Nevada this spring helped a lot, and once the whole ICU/hospital stay was over, I was able to see the effects of going to Nevada. 
• When will the article about your story with Lyme Disease come out in the paper and be put on the Internet? - The story will be out this Sunday or Monday!! It will be put online at newsok.com with the video of my family and I talking about our journey. I will post on here as soon as it comes up to let you all know! 
• Are you still doing the hyperbaric oxygen chamber treatment? - Currently no, but we hope to get me started doing that again. We had hoped to start it after we returned from the 2 months in Nevada, but then I ended up in the hospital and since then, we have to be very careful with what I do as far as medicines and treatments. We just got the all clear to start a few of my medicines back up slowly, so hopefully we will be able to start all my treatments again soon. We just have to be extra cautious because of the medicine interaction that landed me a fun stay in the ICU. 
• What are your plans for the summer? - I'm planning on going to church camp for the last part of the week. It's in a couple of weeks from now. I would love the go the whole week, but I am still not up to doing that. I think just going for a couple of days will be the best thing. I am hoping that I can go on the mission trip with my youth group in late July. It's still hard to plan that far in advance.  The rest of the summer I am going to rest and hang out with my friends! I'm going to gain my strength back and get ready for college. 
• How are you going to handle college after not being in school for so long? - I don't even know the answer to this one! I'm only taking 6 hours of classes a week, so I will have lots of time to rest. I will have to learn how to go to school and balance my health. Thankfully, my house is only 8 minutes away from Oklahoma Christian University, and right next door to our church! I know that I have so many people that God has placed in my life that will help me get through it, just like they have since I got sick. That includes all of you who support with prayers, comments, cards, and encouragement! So thank you!! 
• Will you still use this blog while you're in college? - Of course I will!! This blog has been such a blessing to me, and I hope that it is a blessing to others. I will keep it updated with college things, life, and health updates. 

I am more than happy to answer any other questions about anything, so please don't hesitate to ask! 

Tomorrow I think I am going to see my primary care doctor. We think I have a sinus or ear infection or both so we need to see. I'm just not feeling good and have a constant headache that gets worse if I stand up or bend down. I'm praying that it's an easy fix and I'll be feeling better soon. 

Good week!

Last week was a crazy week! Tuesday I finished high school! I had to take 6 tests, but the principle told me to just fill in answers and not actually read anything. I felt so weird doing that, but she said so! So I'm done with high school!!!!

Wednesday was the interview with the news paper about Lyme. My whole family went and we all talked about various things and about our journey through it all. She video taped it also, so when it's online, I will let you know! It went very well!

On Thursday my mom and I went to Oklahoma Christian to get my classes. I'm only taking 6 hours this semester since I haven't been in school in so long, and I'm still not 100%. I'm taking English, Bible, and Intro to Nursing. 

On Friday I was too sick to do anything. Last week I didn't sleep at all because of the insomnia and pain, so I'm pretty worn out from everything. I'm starting to get a little more sleep since my medicine is kicking in a little more, but I'm still not sleeping enough. It could take a few more weeks to fully kick in. 

Yesterday my parents and I went to Oklahoma Christian University for Take Flight. We got my student ID, computer, and other things to complete the enrollment process. I'm officially a student at OC! There was a lunch yesterday and then we went to talk to the teachers for the department of our majors. I'm so excited for college!

Last Tuesday there was a huge storm that came through and tore up our back porch. Here's a picture. 

It took down our pergolas and moved our couch across the porch which is a long way!

Here is my computer from OC!! I love it!

I don't have anything planned for this week which is good because I'm completely worn out from last week. I'm praying the pain and sleep issue will get a lot better soon!

Busy week!

There's so much going on this week!

I got my ACT scores in the mail on Saturday and I got a 23! I'm very happy with that. Apparently, I'm really good at guessing :) my highest section was science which is perfect since I want to be a nurse.

Today I went to the our primary care doctor for various reasons. When I was in the ICU, I had to get off of the medicine that helps me sleep and helps with pain because it interacted with other medicines they gave me in the ER. Since then, I haven't taken it and I can tell a huge difference. I'm not sleeping well and I hurt all the time. My whole body hurts (from the Lyme) and I have a constant migraine. SO, I really need this medicine. I didn't realize how much it helped until I was off of it.

I'm not sure if I ever explained this, but the whole reason I ended up in the ICU was because the ER put me on all these medicines that interacted with each other and caused a very dangerous reaction (seizures, eyes not responding to light, eyes dilated, pulse in the 150s).

It's been long enough for the all the medicines to be out of my system, so the doctor feels comfortable with letting me start the sleep medicine again. I'll slowly start making my way back up to the dose I'm supposed to be on. She said it could take a few weeks for it to help with the pain. We were hoping it wouldn't take that long, but there's nothing we can do about that.

The doctor also signed papers for me to get a temporary handicap parking permit. At college, freshman can only park at their dorms. That's a long ways from where some of my classes will be! With this permit, I will be able to park by my classes which will help so much. I'm regaining my strength and am stronger than I was, but I still need to take it easy because I'm still recovering and can't walk too far.

Tomorrow I am going to my high school to take the EOI (end of instruction) tests that I've missed so that they can give me my diploma!! I don't have to pass them, I just have to take them. Seems silly to me, but I will do whatever they need me to do. They've been so helpful and supportive.

On Wednesday I am being interviewed by one of the newspapers, The Daily Oklahoman!! They called last week and asked if they could interview me about Lyme. Of course we said yes! They will also video tape the interview. I'm so excited! I will let you know how it goes and when the article will come out!!

Thursday and Saturday I will be getting everything set up for me to attend Oklahoma Christian University this fall. I will probably only take 2 classes this semester since I haven't been to school in 2 and half years. There's no way I could go from no school to a full load. I'm really excited about all of that!!

This week will be crazy, so please pray for strength and good rest.

Thank you for your continued prayers and comments! They mean so much to me!!!

ACT

This morning I took the ACT...the first real test I've taken in probably 2 and half years. It was hard, but we knew it would be. It's hard for people who have been in school. I just tried to finish every section, and I did. That was my goal. There were a lot of questions that I had no clue what it was talking about, so I just picked which ever answer looked nice. I tried not to stress too hard, but if you know me, you know that's hard for me. You see, before I got sick I was one of those people who did their homework right when they got home from school. I studied for everything and was a great student. School was easy for me, and I got good grades.

As you can imagine, this has been such a huge transition. I went from being on the honor role, to not knowing if I would graduate when I got sick. I had to stop going from school, and school became the least of my worries. I had bigger battles to fight. It's been very hard to accept, but there is no other option.

I have problems now from the Lyme and just not being in school. My concentration is not like it used to be. My memory and comprehension have suffered a lot. It's frustrating. My brain just works differently now, and I am having to re-train it to do things. Just like if you haven't stretched a muscle and you use it, it's not going to work how it used to and it's going to hurt. The brain is the same way. I've lost a lot of the knowledge I had before I got sick. I don't know if once I refresh the information it will come back, or if I'll to learn it all again. I think most of it will be math and how to retain information. It's so very frustrating to feel so behind and like I know nothing. I know that's not true, but it feels like it sometimes.

I'm sure when I start college, it will be hard to get back into school. But slowly I will do it.

"I can do everything through him who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13


I think I am going to be a nursing major. I have a passion for that and want to help people. I don't see it as a job, it's a ministry. I would have never wanted to be a nurse if I never got sick. How amazing is that?

So as I start to get ready for college, I will trust God and His plan. A lot of times I don't understand(like today and the school issues). But He says to lean not on my own understanding.

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5

Glorious Day

I love this song by Casting Crowns. It tells the story of Christ and what He did for us and the day he's coming back for us! It's called Glorious Day (Living He Loved Me)

"One day when Heaven was filled with His praises

One day when sin was as black as could be
Jesus came forth to be born of a virgin
Dwelt among men, my example is He
Word became flesh and the light shined among us
His glory revealed

Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day

One day they led Him up Calvary’s mountain
One day they nailed Him to die on a tree
Suffering anguish, despised and rejected

Bearing our sins, my Redeemer is He
Hands that healed nations, stretched out on a tree
He took the nails for me!

Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day!

One day the grave could conceal Him no longer
One day the stone rolled away from the door
Then He arose, over death He had conquered
Now is ascended, my Lord evermore
Death could not hold Him, the grave could not keep Him
From rising again

Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day!
Glorious day!

One day the trumpet will sound for His coming
One day the skies with His glories will shine
Wonderful day, my Beloved One bringing
My Savior Jesus is mine

Living He loved me!
Dying He saved me!
Buried He carried my sins far away!
Rising He justified!
Freely forever!
One day He’s coming!
Oh glorious day!
Oh glorious day!
Glorious day!
Oh glorious day"

Hope you are having a great day!

Lots going on

A lot of you were very interested in my date! Haha it was a casual date and was very fun! We got snow cones and then hung out at my house!

Last week I went to our neighborhood pool every day. I also left my house almost every day, even if it was just to get lunch.

Because of all this, I am exhausted today. That is why I'm not going to write much. My body hurts all over and the fatigue is intense. I know it's because I've been doing a lot lately. My body just can't keep up with everything I want to do!

I'm supposed to take several tests this week so that I will be able to get my high school diploma. Graduation was a few weeks ago, and I was in the hospital for that. Even though I haven't been to school in two and a half years, my high school is going to give me my diploma. I was going to just get my GED, but the school has been working with us to get my diploma. They have been great!

So that's what I've been up to. Trying to push myself more each day, but I think I've just worn myself out and that is why I am how I am today. Hopefully I'll be feeling better tomorrow.