... and attached, a request for your prayers. :)
I've been trying to figure out how to work this personal news into one of my posts, but it's not really something that I'd mention off-the-cuff. So here it is, in one rather long and rambling post.
As many of you know, my husband, Bill, has been feeling rather poorly for some time now (going back to early summer) and has been seeing several doctors trying to determine just what exactly is going on. Well, after lots of tests for lots of different (and frightening) afflictions, we finally know what he is (we are) dealing with ~ Lyme Disease.
Now to start with, let me just say, I am grateful that Lyme Disease is treatable - and he has begun treatment (anti-biotic and anti-inflammatory) and is already feeling better. Let me also say, Lyme Disease is nothing to sneeze at and has been extremely debilatating for my husband.
If you'll bear with me, I will recount how he (we) got to this point. It might end up helping someone else along the way.
Back in late March, Bill was bitten by a tick. Living next to deep woods as we do, we encounter many dog ticks every spring - but this was the first time we had ever come across a deer tick - and this one happened to be attached to my husband's arm.
Now, since Lyme disease is in the news all the time, I'm sure we all know the warnings regarding tick bites - watch for that telltale "bullseye" rash.
Except, in some cases (approximately 20%) a rash never develops. Unbeknownst to us, this was the case for Bill. We never even gave the bite a second thought.
Roundabouts early June, Bill began to notice a lot of body aches - rolling pain, I believe it is called. Primarily it seemed to be his joints that were affected. He also felt tired all the time and, in general, unwell.
Trips to, and tests by, his doctor ruled out the suspicion of arthritis as well Lupus. He was never asked about a tick bite (and to be fair, we didn't think of it either). He was basically told to rest and take it easy.
Hmmm.
A quick aside. Bill turned 40 this July. He is (besides the most wonderful husband and father in the world) in amazing shape and has always been, otherwise, extremely healthy. In fact, the energy he has always had in abundance - caring for and playing with our three boys, working so hard all week and helping around the house - is a wonder. It seemed completely bizarre that he would be so fatigued and pain-riddled as he was.
So ...
The summer carried on and so did he (we). Two weeks ago, Bill woke up and could hardly comprehend his left knee. It was swollen beyond recognition and he could not stand to put weight on it. He could hardly stand to do anything, the pain was so great.
So another round of tests and trips to the doctor began that week. We didn't know what was going on, but we were afraid. I can admit now, I was very afraid; I have never seen him so ill.
Again he was told it was probably an injury or possibly an infection and they ran another set of tests for such as well as all the arthritis tests once again. He was told to stay off of it, and sent on his way (with anti-inflammatory meds that did NOTHING for the pain).
In the meantime, Bill was walking on crutches, missing work and could barely sleep at night.
Well, thankfully my husband's boss - a wise and wonderfully supportive woman - encouraged him to insist on an immediate referral to an orthopedic specialist. Now we are not usually the type of people to get on the phone and demand anything - but this time we did. Bill was seen by an orthopedic specialist that week.
Now this story could go on and on (and I fear it already has) but let me sum up by saying it was the orthopedic doctor who did all he could immediately to figure out what was wrong with my husband. He took x-rays, drew blood and drained knee fluid and tested for all kinds of things, including - wow - Lyme disease.
And this dear man - conscientous, professional and caring - was so concerned for my husband, he called him on a Saturday morning to tell him he was on the phone with the lab insisting they complete the tests that (long, Columbus Day) weekend.
He needed to know. We needed to know. And now we do.
My husband has Lyme Disease - late stage, by now. (A joint swelling up so badly is a final stage symptom.) Thankfully an EKG showed no damage to his heart. He is on the proper treatment now and moving on with his healing and life in general.
I tell this whole tale, as I mentioned, in case any of his symptoms or story, ring a bell with a reader. Lyme is such a mysterious and misunderstood disease. Feel free to tell folks about this post - and mention the other possible symptoms - facial paralysis, mental confusion and headaches. Within the past month, Bill felt some of it all, to a degree.
A nine year old girl came to see the same orthopedic specialist a few days after my husband, with a similarly swollen knee. The doctor thought of my husband and tested her for Lyme right away. She tested positive - late stage Lyme disease - and was hospitalized immediately.
So in my long winded way, there you have it. This has been weighing on us for some time, but with diagnosis and treatment (not to mention, much prayer) comes healing - and not just the physical kind. :)
A BIG thank you to our family and friends who have been praying for my Bill. More BIG thank you's to all my lovely prayer warriors at 4Real - as you all know, your prayers have been a source of sustenance for my strength and peace of mind. And thank you to all you dear readers, who have taken the time to read this whole long, rambling, personal post. :)
I told Bill yesterday I wanted to post about what was going on, but I didnt know how to say it. And then I thought of you all and I thought ~ Just say it. You all have been so wonderful visiting me here ~ your visits, your words, and your prayers have always been such a joyful part of my day.
Thanks for taking the time to listen. Thank you for your prayers. And may God bless you and keep you healthy and safe.
