- Lyme Disease
- Interviews
Anne Havard's interview
How did all start?
Became exhausted while attending university (Physical Education) at the age of 26. Then got much sicker after planting trees 2 years later, after which I couldn't do anything physical without having 'post exertional fatigue'.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Took 7 years for the Hashimotos to be diagnosed. Then 10 years for the Lyme to be diagnosed...by that time I was incapable of working - exhaustion and inflammation...asthma, allergies, muscle inflammation...
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Dealing with the inflammation, accepting my illness, and living within the new limitations of the illness. A VERY difficult process, that has taken 30 years to evolve.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Loneliness. Not being able to socialize or do things with other people as much as my personality wanted/needed.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Not well...I am considered 'weird', 'a hypochondriac' , and have not had a relationship for almost 20 years, as of 2017...I 'endure' for the sake of my son. Otherwise, I would probably have committed suicide before now. Still consider it sometimes, I soooo tired of being tired all the time.
What things have you stopped doing?
Just about everything, except my art, and keeping up a few close friendships & family relationships.
What do you think about the future?
I don't think about it...just get through day by day.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
The years when I was raising my son, and was not so burdened by the fatigue that saturates my daily life now.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Soooo many things...I used to be a runner, ski-tourer, mountain adventurer, white water kayaker. Surfing used to be on my 'bucket list' but that's so far out of my capabilities now, I don't even think about it.
'
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
Enduring - and learning to be happy with the little things...watching the birds & small animals in the forest around my home; having short visits with friends & family. Practicing my art, listening to music.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Endure.
