I'm back!

It’s been such a long time ago since I posted anything on my blog. I did have some blogconcepts tough which I never shared but I will share one today. I’ll write a follow up post on how things are going right now.

New year, new opportunities

2013 has gone and 2014 has arrived. 2013 hasn´t  been a great year health wise. But it was also the year in which I received my driverslicence after a lot of stress and sacrifices (a day with a driving lesson was so exhausting, that I couldn’t do much for the rest of the day) I’m extremely proud of myself for achieving this goal and not giving up on what I wanted. Something else that makes me feel very proud of myself is that I received my first diploma (propedeuse) for my study, this after a lot of struggle trying to incorporate studying in lymelife (which sometimes has proven to be impossible!). As I mentioned before 2013 hasn’t been a great year health wise. After 5 months of intravenous treatment, I expected to feel a lot better. Unfortunately this was not the case. Blood tests have shown that the borrelia- and bartonella bacteria are still very active in my body. This was a big bummer, and was very depressing. I have struggled a lot to come to terms with the fact that I’m still a Lyme patient and that this will probably be the case for a long time to come. There was one positive thing that happened health wise in 2013 though, and that is that I have had my tonsils removed. I’m so happy that I made this choice as this has helped me a lot with my painful throat infections. Despite the painful and long recovery I would definitely do it again, in a heartbeat! The pass year I have realized how fortunate I am with such great and supporting family and friends. Especially my parents how have always been supportive and are always there for me no matter what. I have also realized how grateful I am to have such amazing sisters we laugh and cry together, we fight and make up, we make fun with and of each other but we are always there for one a other and will do anything for each other. And I musn’t forget to mention my boyfriend, my great great boyfriend who I couldn’t imagine my life without with.

Destroy what destroys you.

My tonsils have gone! They were removed 2 weeks ago. I didn´t realise how painful it was going to be. The last 2 weeks have been horrible. Not being able to eat or talk, and just wanting to sleep all day. Luckily most of the pain has gone, and now I'm left with two dents where my tonsils used to be. I am so pleased that they have gone, knowing that I won't have anymore of those really painful throat infections. Hopefully the tonsils have taken the streptococcus bacteria with them. In a few weeks time I will have my blood tested, to see if this is the case. Hopefully it has, so I can concentrate on conquering lyme and bartonella. One battle won, two more to go!

Farewell tonsils!

I have a cold and my throat has been so sore that I can only swallow fluids. Therefore, my diet has consisted of tea, smoothies, fruit and cold applesauce for the last few days. I had an appointment yesterday at the hospital to see if I can have my tonsils removed. Fortunately the doctor approved, and my tonsils will be removed in the first week of June. Some good news, which I desperately needed after two weeks which were totally controlled by Lyme. Back to bed for now, to give my body some energy to get rid of the cold and sore throat! 

Update

It has been two weeks after I have had my last intravenous antibiotic treatment. All the antibiotics should have left my body by now. Sadly enough, I´m starting to feel worse again. Some symptoms which where less obvious during the antibiotic treatment have come back. My memory has become ‘lazy’ again, which I find one of the scariest things about lyme as it makes me feel as if I have lost control. This means writing lot of things down, and making to-do lists. I also feel very panicky and scared, without any reason. My appetite has completely vanished, yet again (this seemed to be better during the antibiotic treatment). And on top of all that I still have all my usual lyme symptoms. Not a good week, but still staying positive that this treatment is going to work!! To end on a positive note, my favorite smoothie recipe:

 

Recipe

1 Sliced mango
1 sliced Banana 

1 glass freshly squeezed orange juice

3 Sliced carrots
 

Combine everything in a blender/juicer and enjoy!

 

 

All great achievements require time.

After months of contemplating, I have finally decided to start a blog. Mainly for myself, as lyme has limited my mind in remembering things, and I find blogging a great way to document my thoughts and experiences with lyme disease. I am currently studying Nutrition in Amsterdam (NL). I have found that changing my diet has helped my body and has helped relieve some of my lyme symptoms. I was diagnosed with chronic lyme disease 1 year ago, after having many physical complaints for a year and a half. I also have the co-infection Bartonella and a gluten-intolerancy. After 3 months of different antibiotic treatments, I decided to start an intravenous antibiotic (ceftriaxon) treatment in december 2012. I have just recently finished this treatment and am still waiting to see if it has had any effect. At this time in my life my body is a home for lyme, but I am convinced that there is a treatment out there that will make my body home to myself again. I will also be blogging about my gluten, dairy and sugarfree diet that I have been following for the last year. After a lot of experimenting and adjusting recipes, I want to use my blog to share the recipes I have found work best in the kitchen.
 

 All great achievements require time.
- Maya angelou