Janelle's interview
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How did all start?
Tick bite in May 2013. Became pregnant June 2013 which masked early onset of symptoms until about September 2013 when symptoms became very noticeable including swollen lymph nodes, fevers, night sweats, headaches, and pain.
Do you already have a diagnosis? How long did it take you to get it?
Misdiagnosed many times with many things. Mostly with fibromyalgia. Didn't get a proper diagnosis or even hear about Lyme Disease until June 2015. IGeneX positive for Lyme and Babesiosis. So is my daughter unfortunately as I contracted the diseases a month before conceiving her and it was passed on in pregnancy.
What has been the most useful thing for you so far?
Antibiotics seem to suppress symptoms to a degree, But ultimately I continue to test positive even 2 years into antibiotic treatment. Herbals help to suppress other symptoms and boost energy levels. Meyers cocktails and glutathione ivs still remain the most important thing in my regimen and keep me able to work part time.
What have been your biggest difficulties?
Finding doctors to acknowledge me. I've been rejected by more doctors than I can count for even mentioning Lyme.
How has your social and family environment reacted? Have your social or family relationships changed?
Yes. I'm divorced now and struggle as a single mom with this disease and one sick child. My older son is healthy though, and is essentially the rock of my home, so thank God for him. My family doesn't like to talk about my illness. They acknowledge it and believe me and they are very supportive, but it pains them to talk about it because they can't really help me so the issue isn't discussed a lot.
What things have you stopped doing?
Everything. I used to be an avid outdoorswoman, angler, hunter, did woodworking and welding, had horses and cattle and rode motocross. It's all gone now. I used to be a full time construction worker and a cook in the cold seasons, But I've been forced to give up my career and trades as well.
What do you think about the future?
I'm hearing and reading good things about Infusio and SVF stem cells. I'm still staying positive and working towards the goal of someday affording stem cell treatment. Until then, I'll remain in the care of my ID specialist.
So far, which years have been the best years in your life? What have you done during them?
These are the best years of my life. My kids are little. 6 and 3. Before Lyme I wasn't a parent. I refuse to let this disease take away what's supposed to be considered the best years of my life. I'll never get this time back with my kids, So as awful and challenging as it is, These are still the best years.
What would you like to do if you didn’t have your condition?
Go back to work in construction or open a bar and restaurant. Or actively start farming livestock again.
If you had to describe your life in a sentence, what would it be?
It is what it is. Life's a garden...dig it. Keep on keepin on.
Finally, what advice would you give to a person in a similar situation?
Take it one day at a time. Focussing on what you've lost and the negative possibilities will kill you. Find something positive in each and every day. Your outlook on life will change for the better if you let it. We have no control over things that happen to us or around us. What we can control though is our reactions to them, And this is where we will find ultimate control over our own lives and happiness.
