"Hi everyone,
Another week, another episode...
As you can imagine it is quite surreal to watch my husband and I, six months back in time and fast forwarding to where we are today. It feels like a roller coaster of emotions and appreciation for all the good we once shared.
The past couple of years have been extremely challenging for both of us as we uncovered the mystery of chronic neurological Lyme disease. Spending 10 days with David in British Columbia (our favorite place in the world) and sharing that with my mom and sister in-laws was exactly what the doctor ordered. Taking a break from the seriousness of my life and reconnecting with nature was nourishing and gave me new found energy to take on another chapter of my health journey. I've never felt more thankful for a vacation and the ability to not only see but FEEL the beauty that is life...
There has been a lot of speculation and claims about David and I that are simply untrue. David has been one of the guiding lights in my journey and even though we ran out of steam I will never allow anyone to discredit his persistence and commitment to my healthcare - I am eternally grateful.
I also want to thank all of you for your unwavering love and support of my journey while sharing yours. It has given me great insight to how much suffering goes on and I learned I'm not alone!
I feel connected to the blessing of a new home…the incredible friendships of the small inner circle that have been like the legs on my table these days. My heart is in mourning, but I will continue to focus on the light at the end of the tunnel, which is my well-being and that of my children! The biggest thanks to my girlfriends who have shown up with food, flowers, their time, and helping hands. It's during these times that we see who our true friends and family are.
Our tech-obsessed lifestyles have trained us to think quick, less words, faster is better and sometimes this doesn't resonate with me. Replacing face to face time with text messages - I prefer to stay connected to the true meaning of words, quality time, and old fashioned friendships.
As tonight's show previews aired I received an outpouring of messages from girlfriends enraged at the story and what was said. The common thread amongst these friends is that they've walked this dark journey with me and some have had to experience chronic invisible illnesses themselves. I am touched by their protection of me and my feelings, but I am not enraged or affected anymore by what I have learned to see as human nature and the weak side of it.
I do wonder though why these adult women sit around drinking wine in the afternoon debating another person’s health issues? As much as I wished they cared enough to learn and ask questions, I must blame it on and assume it's "ignorance".
Rinna is right. She's only human and it takes a compassionate and confident woman to hold ground under social pressure - it's so much easier to take the common road and get on board the train of the misinformed and the doubtful. The negative. Few people have the ability to stay firm when they're not educated or spiritually centered and not feed into the negativity otherwise known as gossip. I don't blame Rinna, Kyle or LVDP - I understand it and feel sorry to see my battle be such a point of weakness for them. If I let fear of what others say about me creep into my mind, I probably would not be where I am today. 100 books later, and immersed in worldwide research that I never thought I could process has given me a masters in being fearless and the strength to battle this epidemic called Lyme disease - it's the power of believing in myself that's let me come this far.
After years of aimlessly searching for the right care and a cure, my case is finally in the capable hands of who I believe to be the two greatest Lyme literate doctors in the world: Dr. Richard Horowitz and Dr. Dietrich Klinghardt.
I feel very blessed to have their guidance and clarity in my corner. Too many chronically ill people are misunderstood by others, including family, friends, and their community. My clinical diagnosis are black and white, if sharing them will shed light on this epidemic and educate the world, I will gladly do so.
Facts regarding my personal case:
• Lyme is a clinical diagnosis and multiple labs and physicians worldwide have confirmed my personal diagnosis. It is not just based on symptoms, but rather on tick exposure, positive Lyme specific bands on a Western blot as well as having a positive DNA tests (PCR, polymerase chain reaction) proving exposure to Lyme disease.
• I also tested positive for multiple co-infections, including Babesiosis (a malarial-like parasite) with three positive tests: this included positive Babesia titers, PCRs (DNA tests) and FISH testing (RNA testing) as well as having positive tests for other tick-borne infections including Bartonella and Q-fever. Those individuals with Lyme and associated co-infections have been shown to be sicker than those just suffering with Lyme disease. Other positive infectious disease testing included an old Epstein Barr virus infection and intestinal parasites.
• Overlapping factors interfering with my healing included a history of heavy metal exposure and silicone toxicity from previous ruptured implants.
• Brain scans show significant inflammation in the frontal lobe of my brain affecting my cognitive function.
• The three double blind placebo controlled NIH trials on Lyme disease have shown that those with chronic Lyme are as sick as those with chronic congestive heart failure. It is not a disease “in people’s heads”, making up symptoms, but controlled clinical trials have shown that those suffering with chronic Lyme disease are extremely ill and many doctors worldwide are still searching for answers for those afflicted.
• Lyme has been shown to be a chronic persistent infection. This has been proven in multiple published scientific studies, including recent studies coming out of John’s Hopkin’s University and Northeastern University showing “persister” bacteria. The NIH also sponsored studies on those suffering with PTLD (Post Treatment Lyme disease) last year (Dr Adriana Marques), which showed that some patients like me had positive DNA tests (PCR) despite classical treatment. This again implies persistence of the bacteria, contributing to my long term illness.
I am inspired by my life on a day to day basis and consciously avoid stressful situations by walking away and letting go of remarks from people like the women in this group, but it seems in today's world your word isn't good enough anymore so even though I should not have to prove my case, I'm not afraid to do so. I will move on from the absurd Munchausen comment that is an insult to my integrity and that of my two children who battle this disease on a daily basis.
My talents and creativity as a healthy human being when starting my journey as a housewife would have gotten me way further in life then lying in bed, debilitated, forced to find a cure for this lame disease as I watched life from the side lines these past four years. This is not just about me; this is about bringing awareness and ensuring a healthy life for my two children and millions of others that are affected by this invisible chronic disease.
I'm probably the only Housewife in the entire franchise that uses this platform to bring awareness in the world rather than just money in my pocket.
Lastly, we’re seeing a big movement today about organic foods and natural products as more and more autoimmune diseases come about. We have been filling our bodies with chemicals and toxins for decades because we didn't know better. This movement is well received by the world and those who want to understand it...but understanding the medical consequences that decades of a toxic lifestyle can bring is hard for people who are not faced with a reason to understand this - YET.
I will continue to relish in each good day…and if I get an inch of feeling good...you better believe I'm going to take a mile! If my Instagram photos and how I choose to communicate myself through social media is confusing to you...unfollow me.
I share genuinely in the way that feels right in my heart and if on any given day...I want to put my hands up in the air and show strength...I will.
From my family to yours: I wish you a Happy Holidays, may you be together with your loved ones in a home filled with love and laughter, at the end of the day that's all that matters.
Until next week,
Yo"
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