Detour

As it turns out, my body rejected the new treatment protocol for waging war upon my chronic Lyme disease. It was way too much, way too fast and now I'm backsliding rapidly. I've been working to get back on my feet and to remain positive while swatting away echoes of the "R" word bouncing about in my head:
 relapse, relapse, relapse, relapse, relapse.

Because everyone has a unique immune system, coupled with the fact that many people with Lyme disease are also suffering from various other tick-borne illnesses, what works treatment-wise for one person with this disease often does not work for another. It is very difficult to find the right balance between a strong enough dose to kill the Lyme bacteria, but not so strong that you feel like you're being killed along with it! There is a lot of trial and error involved in finding the right medicines at the right dose.

My joint pain is back with a vengeance; my short-term memory is checking out on me again and I'm getting that spacey, lost, out-of-it feeling again. My energy supplies dwindle rapidly and unexpectedly during the day; I'm wide awake at night. And worst of all, I'm having panic attacks again. The ferocity with which Lyme disease can quickly overpower you when you think you've got a grip on it is staggering. Most people have no idea what a serious disease chronic Lyme disease is!

Despite the major setback, I'm really not as upset as I feel like I should be. Yes, I'm frustrated. Yes, I wish I was better. But honestly, I've been battling this for so long, I've gotten used to taking a lot of detours. And detours only last so long before you get back onto the main road again.

"I may not be there yet, but I'm closer than I was yesterday."  ~Author Unknown