Lyme Life Monday ~Starting the Day Right

Lyme sucks the life right out of everything. The meds and supplements in the photo above, are a bridge to help me retrieve it. Life, that is. It has been rough. My faith has been challenged, like never before. My relationships have been challenged. Our finances were crushed.

Lyme strikes hard. Anyone can get a tick bite. The co-infections vary by region, but with animal and bird migration, That may be changing. In my case, I was left undiagnosed for about 30 years. I managed my own symptoms with meds and diet and rest and activity. It was no longer possible to manage symptoms with over the counter meds by the fall of 2014.

At that time, I’d begun to accept more speaking invitations. The pro-life, child sexual abuse and sex trafficking issues are all very tough. Dwelling on it and talking about it, because it is my experience, is draining. My, nearly full-time, job was very taxing. I also have rentals. One rental property was supposed to be purchased, but the tenant-buyer bailed completely. Another tenant was consistently behind $2,000 per year. As the winter approached, I couldn’t handle the emotional, mental, and physical stress.

In 2015 I got a diagnosis of Lyme. By that time, it was affecting every system in my body. Most distressing is the central nervous system problems. I was down for the count. So, if I couldn’t work, I read. If I couldn’t read, I watched educational videos. If I couldn’t watch, I listened. When I couldn’t listen to people talk, I put gentle worship music on. Meanwhile. I have seen the doctor every four weeks and have been on various antibiotics, antibacterials, antifungals, antivirals, and loads of herbs and supplements.

I, like most Lymies, have virtually no appetite. So breakfast is basically a delivery system for the meds. As is dinner and any snacks in between. Most of that stuff has to be taken with food. A few things are taken on an empty stomach.

This isn’t really the only way that I start my day.

I generally awake in pain. I have very stiff joints and a head and neck ache every day. So, whenever possible, I move slowly. Some might say, imperceptibly. I shift my weight and very gently, turn or reposition for a few minutes.

During that time, it is really helpful to set my perspective for the day. I don’t ignore the pain. I know it’s there and it dictates how I move my body. However, it is super important that it isn’t my focus. I focus on the fact that I have another day. I imagine what I can do with it. Thanking God, I ask how I should use the time and energy that I have for that day. I may have commitments. I may not. I set my sights on being a blessing to others in any way I can.

Start by deciding how the day will go. Be intentional. Set goals, but more importantly, remember your purpose.

How do you start your day?