Lyme Caregiving

Does someone you love and care for suffer from Lyme or other tickborne diseases? 

My family does because for the last 6.5 years I have suffered from babesiosis and bartonellosis.

Being ill has changed my life in obvious ways, but it has also deeply affected my family. They have suffered alongside me, and their side of the story matters too. November is National Family Caregivers Month, so today I'd like to acknowledge my family and all family caregivers who serve with quiet faithfulness and daily sacrificial love for us the sick ones. Thank you. Your care for us is largely unseen, it doesn't receive headlines and applause, but you have given so much, and we appreciate you.

This week my mom, my primary caregiver, and I watched 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 by author and speaker Nicole Bell from the PA Lyme Resource Network. Nicole's husband suffers from lyme, babesiosis, and bartonellosis, and Nicole shares their journey from her perspective as a caregiver. As Nicole says, "Each case of chronic illness makes two patients. The person affected and the caregiver."

Much of Nicole's talk is also very applicable to patients as she shares advice on symptom tracking, preparing for doctor's appointments, interpreting labs (reference range vs ideal range), navigating the medical system, and more. I hope you'll watch and be encouraged by her approximately one hour presentation.

Watch 𝗟𝘆𝗺𝗲 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗴𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴: 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘃𝗶𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝗟𝗼𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 here.