A New Journey

On Thursday, after years of illness, I was diagnosed with Lyme disease. Previous diagnoses included Lupus, mixed connective tissue disease, Sjogren's syndrome, Scleroderma, Raynaud's syndrome, posterior orthostatic tachycardia syndrome, migraines, neuropathy, hypermobility syndrome, TMJ, carpal tunnel syndrome, ulnar nerve compression, chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia, antiphospholipid syndrome, intermittent hearing loss, arthritis, Candidiasis, hypoglycemia, degenerative disk disease, Epstein Barr and human parvo viruses, median arcuate ligament compression syndrome, eschemia, Bell's palsy, chronic sinus, ear and urinary tract infections, trigeminal nerve involvement, joint pain, costalchondritis, mild foot drop and possible vasculitis of the small blood vessels. M.S. was on the horizon. At the time of my diagnosis, I had experienced all but four of the nearly 75 symptoms listed on the CanLyme web site, a Canadian source.

There is an excellent essay on Lyme disease written by John D. Bleiweiss, M.D. in April, 1994 I came across a few days ago and found interesting. I was surprised to read "a sudden acceleration of encephalopathy, headache and dizziness, thought of as putative post-concussion syndrome, can be evoked by head trauma." I experienced a very similar situation in 1991.

I was once told by a physician, "We're like the bunch of blind men in a room with an elephant." My internist was turning to philosophy because he is a compassionate person and it was the best he could offer.

I am so grateful for my training as a biologist and scientist and for my friends and family who have helped with me throughout this. I am thankful for the compassionate doctors who tried to make a difference. I am grateful to my neighbor, who, a year and half ago said, "Kim, the only time I had a headache like that was when I had manifestations of Lyme disease."

I am grateful to my hairstylist, diagnosed with Lyme, who would know my symptoms before I would walk through the door. We joked that either she had Lupus or I had Lyme because we certainly had the same thing.

I am grateful to my friends at physical therapy. Thank you for making a difference!

I am grateful to my naturopath who saved my life twice. I am also grateful that I finally met a doctor who's experience allowed him to make a diagnosis where so many have failed. He is finding things others have missed because he knows what to look for.

I will be receiving intensive therapy during the next six weeks and am so grateful to those who have done so much to help us through this. I take comfort knowing that we are finally treating the underlying problem. It will make being away from my daughters a bit easier.

Wishing you life's blessings.

Top Toys for 2008

If you love handmade treasures that inspire the imaginations, touch the senses, warm the heart and foster creativity, you will fall in love with the NaturalKids team on Etsy. My favorite toys for 2008!

Forty of the artists have combined in a joint advertising adventure, forming the NaturalKids Store. What a fabulous way to shop! Items are environmentally friendly, as well, and you may make some new friends along the way. Shopping will never be any better than this. : )

For more great treasures, please search NaturalKids on Etsy! You'll be so glad you did.

If you are discovering Etsy for the first time, you're in for a treat! Take the pledge to buy handmade and enjoy the fabulous selections from around the world.

Happy Fall!

The leaves are gorgeous; reds, oranges, and yellows. The air is crisp and nights are getting colder. Pine cones, leaves and acorns are falling to the ground. The pumpkins have arrived. The geese are on their way. We found our first Woolly Bear caterpillar today. If its colors are correct, we're in for a long winter. We're trying to make the most of these magical Indian Summer days. So beautiful!!! Wishing you a wonderful, magical fall!

Thank you, Dr. Gietzen!

Our youngest has been having a difficult time hearing. She has moderate hearing loss in the low frequencies and has recently had a lot of fluid in both ears, complicating the problem. She has been talking louder and louder and was really struggling to understand conversation. Every now and then she would giggle and accuse me of saying something that according to her ears sounded very funny. She had a difficult time responding to conversation. I know she's been worried because she has been watching our Signing Time videos a lot, lately.

Today, she had surgery to place tubes in her ears and underwent a hearing test while under anesthesia.

She started to perk up about 7:30pm. She was listening to herself and said, "Dr. Gietzen fixed my funny voice!" Then, she would giggle in delight.

As we were snuggling in to read a new book, I said, "Come here, my beautiful girl."

She looked at me and smiled and said, "You mean your hearing girl.'

She's talking so much quieter and is so relaxed. She is so happy! Absolutely wonderful! Hearing aids should help even more.

Tomorrow, we will call our doctor and say thank you for returning the wonderful gift of sound.

Lessons Learned

My friend, a nonsmoker, is in a battle with lung cancer. She is in her second round of chemotherapy and radiation and has an amazing spirit. This week she wrote, "’I'm trying to soak in what this experience needs to teach me. I’m paying attention." Powerful words. She's a special lady.

I've been thinking about those words all day, today. Our family has faced one medical challenge after another. All three of my children were born prematurely, the youngest, weighing just 2.5 pounds. The last six years have brought countless medical visits for my daughter and I, several surgeries, the loss of my job due to illness, and a quest for our restored health and answers.

Jane's words prompt me to think about what I've learned from our own experiences.

1) Never wear a watch. When you are waiting, the time goes by much faster without one.

2) Live in the moment. If your daughter wants to get the Christmas tree lights out in October and turn the dining room into her favorite soup and sandwich hang-out, join her. Just don't tell your friends when it starts to snow. : )

3) Find the gifts and blessings. Today's: a rainbow, physical therapy, a feature in livelearnnow , spending time with a dear friend, listening to my daughters sing. They are all around. The kind people you meet each day. A fresh tomato from the garden. Dad's beautiful flowers. Dark organic chocolate. A smile and hug when your child runs to meet you from the bus. Family.

4) I trust my own instincts.

5) I've learned you must be an advocate for yourself in the medical field.

6) Try to stay level. As my internist keeps reminding me, "You're running a marathon." : )

7 ) Accept help. My sister with breast cancer taught me the importance of this. Likewise, help others whenever you can.

8) If asked, "How are you doing?" I now answer, "We're okay."

9) You can make the world better one smile at a time and always remember, your sense of humor is your best medicine.

I had a strange experience last spring. In going through my medical history again for the "zillionth" time, a nurse expressed surprise when she learned I had been a science teacher.

"You don't seem like the average teacher!" she said.

When I asked her what she meant, she explained, "You aren't rushed!"

Perhaps I am a different person for all of this. One of my daughter's doctor's once said, 'We would never wish any of this on a child, but kids that face adversity grow up to be pretty special adults.'

So far, his wisdom has proved to be absolutely true.

A Tribute to Mary

A few weeks ago, I was asked to make a trio of dolls to symbolize a very special friendship. Mary, one of the group, was suffering from ovarian cancer and died a few days later. Mary loved to read, journal, play the flute and had dreamed of walking again along the beach and putting her feet in the water. This treasury was created in honor of Mary and her very special friends. To learn more about Mary, please visit a comfortable cup of tea . Mary's friend, Sarah, is a beautiful writer and her words will touch your heart.

I have begun offering Mary's fairy at huesofnature. Five dollars from each sale will be donated to Gilda's House in Detroit, a favorite of Mary's.

September is ovarian cancer awareness month. To learn more, visit ovarian cancer.org

Back to school with a brand new do!

Our daughter learned that starting school with a brand new do and a donation to Locks of Love, a public non-profit that helps disadvantaged children in the U.S. and Canada who are suffering with long-term hair loss, makes you feel pretty good! The hair pieces are created especially for each child and are vacuum sealed so they can only be released by the child. No fear of losing one in gym class or on the playground! Kids can be kids again! Minimum length for donation is 10 inches. Visit Locks of Love to learn more!