It's 5:43 and I've been staring at a blank computer screen for hours. It's not like I have nothing to say. I have too much festering. Still, somehow, the thought of letting it all out just feels dangerous.
In a nutshell, I went back to the doctor today. I have good news and I have bad news. The good news? I'm not crazy. Twenty-one pages of diagnostics yielded lots of valuable information and confirmed what I had feared/hoped/resisted/worried about. It's not "just in my head"...I really am sick.
The bad news? My diagnosis is not conclusive. In the doctor's words, "I think you are headed toward a diagnosis of Lyme Disease, but we can't treat it until we get you stabilized and your body can handle it."
"Can't treat 'til what? Think I'm headed?" I questioned inside.
In detail, he went over the findings and the plan of a attack.
Findings:
-A severely compromised immune system (the first line of defense in fighting infection). SIgA is 7.2. Normal range goes from 51-204
-A reverse T3 of 332 (sign of Adrenal disfunction)
-Positive for two bands of Lyme Disease (23 and 41)
-Two kinds of strep in my intestinal tract
-Positive for H-Pylori Infection
-Yeast in my digestive tract
-Disrupted cortisol levels
-Polyp in my gallbladder. Cyst in my liver
Plan:
-Ignore the polyp and cyst (re-image in six months)
-Rebuild the immune system and kill strep and yeast through herbal tonics
-Get more blood work to specify co-infections (or missed strands of Lyme)
-More tests to rule out other things that could present as Chronic Lyme (Lupus, Epstein Barr, Mono)
-Manage symptoms with continued rest, diet, and vitamins
-Address Adrenal symptoms with DHEA, cortisol regulators
-Follow up in 4 weeks to re-access
It's not sexy. It's not glamorous, but it's what's happening right now.
Altered Today: Letting it out instead of ______________ (drinking tea, hiding under the bed, crying, sleeping, burying my head in a coconut cream pie, etc).
It's somewhere to start. We move forward from here and get you better one day at a time!
Posted by: M. Antal | 02/14/2011 at 09:45 PM
Kathy,
I am glad you got some answers. Not glad about the possible diagnosis.
I am thankful that you shared. I love you. Let me know how I can help.
Xoxo,
Shea
Posted by: shea jane | 02/14/2011 at 10:03 PM
That's actually great news! I know it doesn't sound like much, but just knowing helps tremendously. Now there is a plan! Take it one day at a time, and keep altering everything! You're doing great, and have been such an inspiration to me!
Posted by: Laina | 02/15/2011 at 03:31 AM
I want some coconut creme pie.
Love you, Kathy.
Posted by: Lorelie | 02/15/2011 at 05:41 AM
Phew...that is a lot going on in one little body! At least now you can take some action. For some reason that always make s me feel better, so hopefully it will help you, too. You're ready for action , right? Sending love to you.
Posted by: Robyn Barnes | 02/15/2011 at 10:45 AM
Put down the pie and stop playing with ticks :) We love you special; can't wait to play with you Fri. xoxo
Posted by: ec | 02/15/2011 at 03:25 PM