dlp252

My floater that I've had for a long time looks like the picture in the upper left picture, and the ones I've developed in the last week or so look more like the bottom left picture.

I had an incident when Talitha was a baby (I think it was her and not Micah) where I couldn't move my hands, couldn't make a fist. Scared me to death. I think it lasted around 20 minutes. I called the doctor but they were no help.

That is really scarey...at least I could still sort of make a fist...couldn't squeeze hard or anything, but I think it would have been enough to hold on to the steering wheel, lol. At least the doctor was being very good about it. She practically walked around the building with me...and the staff was really good too...making sure I could drive home and all.

So yeah....because of my insurance plan (HMO)....I wasnt able to get anywhere for 3 years.

I couldnt switch insurance until Jan. of last year....the Dr. at HN (Dr. Rick) tested me for Lyme antibodies...but it was not the WB's and it wasnt Igenix.....it wasnt a good test for Lyme.

I wondered about this...when I told him I was testing with Dr. S for lyme, Dr. Rick mentioned that they tested there too, so I was thinking, that was good cuz they would understand the test results...that explains why Dr. Carrie thought my test was negative.

I don't know what that is, but it doesn't sound like floaters to me... floaters, at least as far as I'm familiar with them, don't move unless your eyes move... they're basically specks in your vision, and if you look left, the floater goes left with your eye... that's why a number of us think we see things in our peripheral vision and then look over to have the thing we saw move away and once again, move back to the same position when we look back to our original view...

Yes, this is exactly the kind of floaters I have...they move left when I look left. I used to only have one decent sized floater...in the last week or so I've developed many more smaller ones.

P.S. I have a question. Can Fibroids cause your menstrual blood to have a foul odor? The blood is also very dark at times. I am worried about this. I have never done anything to cause an infection. I have never been sexually active or anything. I also hurt and it feels like my uterus is swollen. I had a pelvic exam not too long ago. Shouldn't Fibroids have shown up if they were there?

Hum, I'm not sure about the odor...I wouldn't think so, but it's possible I guess. They can hurt, or not. My abdomen was definitely swollen, but I had more than 20 fibroids at the time. They did find mine in a pelvic exam (but she only found one I think), the ultrasound wasn't clear so I had to have an internal ultrasound which picked up a couple and it wasn't until I had the surgery that the doctor found all the others. So, if they are small they may not be picked up in a pelvic exam, but they could cause some pain depending on where they are located. Some fibroids have trunks and if the fibroid becomes twisted somehow, that can be painful. Many, many people have fibroids and don't even know it though, so they don't automatically cause pain or distention, etc. I think the doctor was able to find the one in the exam because of its location, and I think that was one of my larger ones.

OMGOSH!!!! Are you kidding me!!??? Melinda went home! Yahoo!!! I like Melinda just fine, but she's going to get recording contracts and all sorts of things anyway, I really wanted one of the other two to win! Yeah!!!!

My ENT (now retired) prescribed Nystatin for me during the midst of my sinus infection cycle thing and I think I had white tablets...I didn't suck on them. I wonder if they would still work the same though. Good to know that when Dr. S prescribes (and he did say he might down the line) antifungals that it will be the good stuff.

Fun and games at the clinic today, lol.

So I have my PT/chiro/prolotherapy session today. I give copies of all my tests results to Nancy who gives them to Dr. Carrie. Dr. Carrie looks them over and says, oh good, your lyme test was negative. So eventually I say, well I DID have past infection show up as positive. In fairness, she only glanced quickly at them and showed them to Dr. Rick. They were both concerned about the mold results though.

Then, I'm getting my prolotherapy injections and she's doing my elbow area, and hits a nerve. Shot shooting pain down my entire arm into my fingers. After that my arm went numb and I couldn't open my hand! I could close my fist, but I couldn't open my hand past just barely open and I had no strength in my arm. She walked me back to the PT area and told the guy who would work on me about it and gave him some special instructions. It was quite scarey because I couldn't pick anything up...like my purse, lol. Anyway, while I was getting adjusted my fingers opened up a bit more and after the PT guy worked on me I was able to open and close my hand like normal...my arm just felt weak. It feels pretty normal now though.

I also soaked in a nice hot bathtub with some epsom salts...Had my own little sauna going.

AND THAT IS THE LAST TIME I REVEAL MY AGE TO ANYONE!!!!!

Yep, I always feel the need for full disclosure and I'm always sorry afterwards.

You know something, I think part of the depression is about feeling so overwhelmed by my house and environment at times. Things pile up when you're exhausted, and you get more and more overwhelmed, and then more depressed, and then it all just seems impossible to do, so you let it go....and then it gets WORSE - and then it's like climbing Everest without supplemental oxygen, so you just bail and go back to basecamp .......it's a vicious cycle to which I"m sure we can all relate!

This is actually very true! I've heard it from a number of sources. It's exactly what's happening to me...the place is so bad here that it's absolutely overwhelming. Basecamp wasn't enough...I've had to go back to the village.

So, uhm, I DO have Lyme, right? I mean the C*D* 57 only tests for those killer cells that are impacted by Lyme so I guess I'm a Lymie. It was pretty funny...I was sipping barium while talking to my LLMD's nurse who's a hoot. She was cracking up!

I just want to say thank you ALL (every last one of you) for all the support you have given me. I know I had to step away for a bit and really think about it and listen to my own body and I'm glad i did, but I'm glad to be back.

You're welcome! I don't know if the killer cells are ONLY impacted by lyme, but from what I read, they are more specific to lyme than the other types of cells. I don't think my LLMD would have made a lyme diagnosis based on that alone, but he's using it together with the other test results and my symptoms and my energy level.

We are glad you're back as well.

Ditto!

Its like this with alot of foods. The more I ate the ice cream and fed the candida...the more sensitive I became to molds and chemicals. I've come to learn that the reactions are not actually from "feeding" the candida. If candida is consistently causing a problem...its not going to cause dramatic symptoms after one meal or snack. Those reactions are occurring because having the candida means you get alot of sensitivities to various things.

Oh for pete's sake, lol. It's like my eyes have just been opened... I'm thinking my candida isn't a big problem because I've had no die off, cuz Scott said it didn't look bad in ART and because I haven't had any big reactions. DUH, Donna, what the heck are you thinking. This is exactly what is happening to me. Where's the head banging icon when you need it!

Donna,

Just noticed your new avatar and I'm sure you'll be telling us about it when you get back over here.

Another cute one btw.

Not sure on the details of this one...like why I would be so dressed up. These were the sons of one of my mom's good friends. I think we lived very close by and I used to play with these guys all the time. Can't even remember their names, lol. My mom liked to dress me up, but generally only dresses when we went visiting, lol. I'll have to ask her more about this.

You can't make it out, but I'm holding a cat... not my cat either I don't think, lol.

Charlie - I don't take any prescriptions at the moment except for the ocassional Zyrtec for allergy symptoms, so I haven't had to worry about fillers and such.

I know Rachel was having some of her stuff done at a compounding pharmacy...I think her thyroid stuff, but I'm not sure she's on any other prescription stuff either yet.

I buy most of my supplements at Whole Foods or my doctors' offices, so those are pretty allergen free.

Lately I've been taking the capsules apart too...figure it's just one less burden on my body.

OK- news. Drive by post for which I apologize but I had to get up at 6 to drive into Boston for a small bowel XRay. NORMAL humans drink 2 cups of barium, get a few pics taken and are out of there in an hour. It took me 5 cups of barium, 2 shots of some nasty stuff called gastro and the radiologist using some weirrd paddle to much my intestines around- 4 hours! They said the recors is 11 hours so I guess I'm lucky. I'll find out the results in a few days (Crohn's I believe).

WOW!!! Marathon xray session! Sheesh, I'm tired just reading that!

Andrea...can I just say that you are AWESOME!!

Yes, DITTO!!!

I'm thinking its not the chlorella itself but something toxic is definately present in this chlorella. I dont think I'll be trying any other brands any time soon. Its the nastiest stuff ever...I'll just stick with my charcoal and see what Dr. Amy says about it next month when I see her.

I may try my liquid again...everyone really wants me to try it, lol. Dr. S just says that some people can't handle it, so he's not pushing it.

Donna...I checked out your post on LN. I still have yet to post once on that board.

There are some really nice people there...I try to read their posts and forget the bickering. I don't post much there...usually can't think of anything to ask.

Maybe you could list yours.

My doctor thinks mercury is a problem for me just based on my hair analysis. He likes to do the urine challenge though. He won't treat me until I get my essential elements where he likes them. He's found problems with chelation if your essential elements aren't on the higher side since chelation takes them along with other metals.

Here are my hair numbers:

Toxic Elements:

Aluminum 2.5 (<12)

Antimony 0.011 (<0.060)

Arsenic 0.020 (<0.090)

Beryllium <0.01 (<0.020)

Bismuth 0.15 (<2.0)

Cadmium 0.033 (<0.10)--This is one Anna found in testing

Lead 0.02 (<1.0)

Mercury 0.14 (<1.1)

Platinum <0.003 (<0.005)

Thallium <0.001 (<0.010)

Thorium <0.001 (<0.005)

Uranium 0.044 (<0.060)

Nickel 0.23 (<0.40)

Silver 0.18 (<0.10)

Tin 0.05 (<0.30)

Titanium 0.71 (<1.0)

Essential and Other Elements (the * ones are the ones he especially wants to watch for some reason--I think because they are important to what we want to do in the future):

Calcium 1050 (475-1500)

Magnesium 260 (45-180)*

Sodium 130 (24-180)

Potassium 32 (20-80)

Copper 23 (9.0-24)*

Zinc 180 (130-200)

Manganese 0.19 (0.20-0.65)*

Chromium 0.44 (0.20-0.45)

Vanadium 0.030 (0.018-0.065)

Molybdenum 0.037 (0.040-0.10)*

Boron 1.1 (0.70-4.0)

Iodine 0.90 (0.25-1.3)

Lithium 0.008 (0.008-0.040)

Phosphorus 331 (350-600)

Selenium 0.92 (0.95-1.7)*

Strontium 8.8 (1.0-8.0)

Sulfur 49800 (43000-50000)

Barium 2.9 (0.50-5.0)

Cobalt 0.012 (0.013-0.050)*

Iron 7.4 (5.8-14)

Germanium 0.038 (0.045-0.065)

Rubidium 0.028 (0.030-0.25)

Zirconium 0.011 (0.040-1.0)

Interesting ... I was happy the Lyme test was positive because I have answers, but at this point I still wonder to what extent I will recover. If I had to guess, I'd guess my C D 57 was pretty low ... but I really don't know for sure. I feel pretty disabled by this whole thing. I have to keep reminding myself that I've had symptoms almost my whole life, and that my whole life I've seemed pretty healthy compared to most people (now that's a different topic, huh?), so I can certainly at least get back to that, if not better.

At least I'm used to anti-candida, detoxing, etc. I've been doing this for years ... I think this will make the difference in the end.

Yeah, the anti-candida and detox is really important...he kept stressing that. On my first visit he told me that my diet would be absolutely crucial in my recovery, and I really think that that is the main reason why I'm not worse off than I am. I DO feel that had I not started taking an active role in pursuing the causes of all my ills that it would have gotten much worse for me. However, now I'm wondering if the little episodes of feeling bad lately don't have so much to do with supplements and stuff, but rather are small little cycles of the lyme.

Wow! The top of a temple! In Guatemala, too! I am scared of heights! That would not work for me! That mold is bad news! I was horrified when I read about those molds! They are all toxic! I know someone who lost a kidney being exposed to the two of the three you listed! Get rid of that carpet! I bet we have toxic mold, too. Our basement seems to have it creeping in, but we have not been able to locate it or anything.

The good news is that last night at dinner, one of my friends was talking about someone she met at a dinner the church had last Saturday, and said he was a handyman...PERFECT TIMING! I think he can do some of the stuff around my place! I'd feel much better about having him do it than a stranger. I've met him before too, so it wouldn't be strange for me to walk up and talk to him about it, lol.

I didnt know you could do that??

For my test it said you had to cut off about an inch (or was it two?? but it had to be the hair closest to your scalp...so basically I had to cut off a chunk of hair from my head.

My hair is long so I picked a bunch that was underneath...at the back of my neck...and then only the one or two inches closest to my scalp got sent to the lab.....the rest got thrown out.

Yep, they gave me a little "scale" to use to weigh the hair on...that was funny too. I wish I could have used the hair on my head.

The test that showed all the imbalances....was that the spectracell vit/mineral test you were posting results to??

Mine was almost all normal except for folate.....which was deficient.

Other than that my "Spectrox Total Antioxidant Function" was at 51.9 percentile....which is "average". That test measures the net ability of antioxidant and repair mechanisms of each individuals own cells, giving a total assessment of antioxidant function.

See, my numbers don't look that bad to me, but he wants to watch a few things on there...my deficiencies according to the report was for coenzyme Q-10.

The Spectrox total antioxidant function was interpreted as "average" with a result of 46.9...they want a number of over 75% for that though which is why it came up on the report I guess.

For "repletion suggestions" they say to take 60 mg of coenzymeQ10 per day, and for the total antioxidant function they say to increase intake of foods rich in antioxidants...yeah right, easy for them to say, lol. Or, they suggest, 1000 mg of Vit C, 400 IU of Vit E (d-alpha-tocopherol) and 100mcg of selenium.

The other things on this report that the doc had concerns over were Magnesium which was 120.00 with the reference range being <124%, Glutathione 89.00 (>85%), Coenzyme Q-10 27.00 (<26%)

Maybe I could get my money back and be able to afford at least the two Western Blots and the gene tests.

If you could that would be great...the two western blots together are $190 from Igenix.

Ok I am still suffering from this reaction I am so mad well no to sick to feel mad. I have an appt. at this health center i go to today and I am hoping it will help. I talked to my doc and he thinks i had such an extreme reaction because the candida is really bad right now becasue of the hormones. he said even thoguh I do eat carbs rice turn into sugar so quickly it can be expecially bad. I did start diflucan last night- not looking forward at all to die off.

Oh, I really hope they can help you...is your appointment early?

How did ART prioritize things for you?

Basically, he said Lyme...he saw metals and he said candida seemed under control, but as the primary thing he saw lyme which was affecting my thyroid. I emailed Scott my results and asked about follow up ART sessions so I think we'll do another one in June or July (probably July). He thought my results clearly showed lyme but was encouraged at the CD57 score. He also said I could fax him my metals/elements report to look at...he might have some input and he said he might learn something from them.

Dang Donna....thats alot to absorb!!

He ran alot of tests. I only had the Westerm Blots (and I had the results before my follow up appt.) and the vit/min deficiencies done. I would have been overwhelmed with all that in one appt. Too much for my brain to handle.

OMGosh...I kept looking around the room searching for a piece of paper. I had a handful of them in my hands. I just didn't want to write all over the test results. I KNEW I wouldn't remember half of what he was saying...I kept asking him to write stuff down...

I'm really surprised with your Igenix results. WOW!!

Your 31 band was a very strong positve...and then postive on the 23-25....those are two double starred bands...highly specific for Lyme disease.

The 41 could be postive from any bacteria having a flagella (tail)...not just Lyme. That one is pretty much always positive. As far as I know 58 isnt highly specific to Lyme....could cross react with other bacteria.

You definately have Lyme exposure...but its not totally bringing you down.....your CD57 was higher than mine. He was really happy about mine being a 78....geeeez....I guess he was expecting my number to be in the dumps....but I proved him wrong!

So I guess maybe for both of us the Lyme has made us very susceptible to the mercury and molds.

I'm a little shocked myself, lol. I was fully expecting the tests to not show ANYTHING! BUT I was hoping it was lyme...it sounds weird, but I really feel like I can recover from the lyme. I don't have that same feeling about mercury and mold.

What test did you have for the heavy metals????

If you say urine challenge...I might have to punch you!!

Anyways....I thought you might have said hair analysis??

No, you don't have to punch me. I did the hair analysis, but since I dye my hair I had to use the unmentionable hair. The test report even says that that isn't quite as accurate on some things.

Maybe you could list yours.

I'll list them tomorrow...I'm back from dinner and pretty lethargic. I had a gigantic steak and lots of green beans. I love Outback! You're levels looked really low...some of mine are high and I forget what he said about that, but high isn't any better than low...he said we want them right in the middle range and only vanadium was in the middle.

donna: well, it sounds like you had a good app't. I'm just happy you are seeing a good team of docs. i'd be interested to see what the people on lymenet say. The 23-25 band is very specific. it could also be that it is there, definitely, but your body is tired of fighting it so it isn't producing many antibodies (esp if you've had it for awhile). hugs to you. I really admire you for your persistence and your sweet spirit, through all of your struggles...and everyone else's.

Wow, thank you so much! Sending hugs right back to you!! So far only 1 response on lymenet...but I didn't really ask a question I guess. Lymetoo was the one who responded!

This is from the LDA's ABCs of Lyme brochure.

"Gastrointestinal Lyme

Martin D. Fried, MD

Director, Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition

Assistant Program Director, Department of Pediatrics

Jersey Shore Medical Center, Neptune, NJ

Lyme disease has been reported in the gastrointestinal tract

of children and adolescents. Pediatric gastrointestinal Lyme

disease may present as abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea,

heartburn, blood in the stool, and it may mimic Crohn

Oh and Dr. S LOVE my purple toes!

Hated that I ate chocolate and sugar....bad Donna, very bad Donna! He said I REALLY have to stay away from it cuz of the mold issue.

He also won't probably treat me with antibiotics because of the mold issue, so it looks like natural for me. He did mention IV therapy for all of my woes, but that would be way down the line.

Donna, I know how it is in those LLMD appts ... they come in like a tornado and you have to take notes to even hope to remember anything!

I'm under the impression that Lyme is different than other bacteria, that Igg can be an active infection ... I was Igg positive and Igm negative. I saw someone post today on Lymenet who was Igg positive for years, then all of a sudden was Igm positive and had no new exposure.

You ought to post those results on Lymenet ... or at least look up an old post of Lymetoo's ... she has a description of what all the numbers mean.

I'm glad you're moving forward!

Is this Dr. S the one who's president of ILADS? I know he's out in CA somewhere.

Different Dr. S. The one you're thinking of is in San Francisco...about 50 miles north of me. The Dr. S I see isn't listed in the lists of LLMDs that get circulated, but two of the doctors in his office are. I heard the receptionist say that there is a huge wait list for the better known of the two in that office. Someone made an appointment today for JULY!

Now that I have the results, I'll post them on lymenet. The way my doctor was talking...he doesn't necessarily believe that the IgG is strictly in the past...and he knows that the testing isn't always a good indication. I think I do have the explanations somewhere of the western blots.

I just mowed the lawn, and cried out there. I keep having the feeling that I just want to lie down, and be taken care of.....just rest and rest. And guess what, my niece, who just shattered her ankle and had surgery, is off her feet until July - - she just moved in and her boyfriend is moving in tomorrow. And so, I'm kind of taking care of her....I don't mind but I can't do it for too long. (and a THIRD dog is living here now... ) Maybe I can get them to barbecue and cook and stuff like that......

DONNA!!! get the carpets out! Carpet is evil. Dang, girl, gotta re-read your post when I"m not crying.

I may have ovarian pain, not sure, maybe fibroids? there is a really good gynecologist here but I will have to pay the co-pay....could be pricey. My mom would absolutely pay.....but she's got to help with crowns/root canals - - if they are ever done.

did I mention how tired I am? really tired of myself, and the same old story. Well, I suppose a new variation this time.

Love you guys.

Love you too! I'm always so sorry when any of you have a bad day, week, month or year!

Yeah, I've known I needed to do something about the carpet for a long time, but every time I get enough saved to do it, something comes up. This year it was my stupid car with the timing belt and the exhaust system, then the amalgam removal and all the medical stuff and bioset treatments...talk about credit card debt.

My doc today asked what was the biggest stress for my right now besides my health. Without a doubt it's financial. I know the feeling of wanting someone to take care of me...on the other hand, that always seems to come with baggage. Wait, maybe it's ME that comes with baggage. Maybe I AM the baggage.

Gosh Susan!!! What a mo-ron doctor!!!! Sheesh...where was she pressing when she asked if it hurt? I'm wondering if she felt fibroids or something...those could be causing pain, they could also account for some of the bloat. My fibroids were first found by my stupid doctor that took my pulse when I was extremely dizzy, extremely low blood pressure and heart palpitations...a few years before the pulse episode, during a routine exam, she was feeling around the abdomin area and said, "Hum I think I feel something...um yes, okay, I think we'll send you for an ultrasound" ! At least she did one thing right, lol. Actually two, she sent me to the urologist who did my surgery last year. Gosh doctors can be frustrating.

Okay all...my mind is mush and I've already forgotten half of what Dr. S said. I just know we're not starting any treatments for the next six weeks. These six weeks, we're going to try to get my body strong and able to handle the treatments. Basically, I am toxic, I've got imbalances in my mineral/vitamins, I've got mold exposure and have been exposed to lyme. He said that at some point in the future we might want to test for co-infections, but we'll wait for these six week.s

Forgive me...this will all be willy-nilly cuz while I was talking to him I dropped all my paperwork and everything is out of order.

First of all...CD57...Mine was 84. Not great he said, but not bad either.

My western blots showed past exposure to lyme, but not a present infection. Igenix shows my IgG as Positive, CDC is Negative. Here are the numbers:

IgM | IgG

18 - | -

22 - | -

23-25 IND | +

28 - | -

30 - | -

31 - | +++

34 - | -

39 - | -

41 IND | ++

45 - | -

58 - | +

66 - | -

73 - | -

83-93 - | -

The testing for molds showed that I have elevated levels of Penicillium notatum, Aspergillus furnigatus, and Stachybotrys chartarum. He wants me to get rid of my carpet. I really have needed to for years...I've lived here since 1988 and the carpet was already in at that point, plus I've had two dogs, and lots of birds, and well, there is most likely tons of mold under there. He wants me to put in hardwood. I asked if laminate flooring would be okay...basically he said "you'll react to everything, so go with the least reactive. Don't know how I'll afford it, but maybe I'll have to refinance my house...I hate to though because my payment is SUPER low.

The Spectracell test showed that I am very deficient in Coenzyme Q-10. I am also low in magnesium, glutathione and my antioxidant function was a bit low.

My thyroid antibodies were okay, so I do NOT have thyroiditis. Still he mentioned something about eventually maybe putting me on thyroid meds...not sure why.

Heavy metals: my levels were actually pretty low. I said good...he said maybe not so much. He said what we all know already, that it CAN be that my levels are low, but it can also be that I am not mobilizing or excreting them, and that is bad. He said with my level of toxicity that it's probably more that I am not excreting them or mobilizing them well. My silver was high though.

Essential elements: basically the only one that was okay was vanadium. Everything else was out of whack. He especially wants to watch magnesium, copper, manganese, molybdenum, selenium and cobalt (which has to do with B12).

So right now he wants me to concentrate on getting my digestive tract in good shape. He wants Anna to make sure my sulfer and methyl...?? pathways are clear and okay. He wants me to chew REALLY slowly...he said that is as good as taking digestive enzymes...maybe better. Over the next 6 weeks I'll be adding a bunch of supplements to my regime, one at a time. I've got 4 to start with. I'm starting with Lymphasol which is supposed to help clear the liver...and it's also supposed to help with sleep!!!!! So, that's where I'm starting, lol. He also wants me to start sooner rather than later with magnesium, glutathione (liquid), essential fatty acids, coQ10, [one which I can't read now, lol], lipoic acid, l-carnitine, NADH (he explained what this is and now I've forgotten).

Gee my posts aren't nearly as scientific as Rachel's are, lol. Before we started he asked how my memory was today, and all I said was, I guess we'll find out. I guess I know.

Nice new picture, Donna. You get to some really cool places

I really have been to some cool places, haven't I, lol!?!

<---new avatar...me at the top of a pyramid in Tikal, Guatemala! The guy in the picture is one of the two friends I went with...we went for another friend's wedding.

I completely agree. Heavy Sounds plausible. I feel that I've had thyroid problems, too. I took thryoid supplements that had glandular thyroid for years because of low basal temperatures. I had more energy and higher temps. when I took it.

After doing the salt/c treatment for just a couple months, I was able to stop taking the thyroid and my basal temps are still high. They run 98 degrees before the mid-month shift, and 98.5 afterward. This morning it was 98.9.

I really believe Lyme goes after the thyroid. I also know from experience that stress always aggravated my symptoms.

Yes, Scott said during ART that Lyme was my primary concern and it was affecting my thyroid!

as for the floaters, I actually thought I was hallucinating at times, seeing things in my peripheral vision last year... I've since realized it was probably just my floaters... I was standing in my kitchen a few months ago and thought I saw a car through the window in my peripheral vision... looked over and nothing... same thing 2 seconds later... on the 3rd time looking over, I realized it was just a floater... the vast majority of the time I don't notice them but at times, they'll make me think things are in my peripheral vision...

Yeah, I'm always turning my head cuz I think I see something and nothing is there, lol. Thought it was just me and my crazy body.

and Donna...thats Bo....as in "Bo knows"...and not B.O...as in GROSS!

I don't know...I thought B-O was cute too!

Donna....GOOD LUCK tomorrow!!

I'll be anxiously waiting for your post....I hope its all good news!!

OMGosh...I woke up at 1:30 and couldn't get back to sleep...well, dozed off around 3:30 or so, and had strange dreams, lol. I think one of them involved doctors.

Donna....OMG....I just saw your pic of your Dads yard!!! At first glance I thought it was MY yard!!

See! That's exactly what I thought when you put up your picture! My whole family are great gardeners...I did NOT get any of THOSE genes, lol. I'm amazed my dad's plant is still alive after 11 years. Every time my dad went on vacation, I'd have to look after his yard...nearly gave him a heart attack every time.

Its so exciting that you're making this dream a reality and I just love that your having a great time doing it....your posts are getting more and more upbeat with each day that passes.

I just wanna say again how happy I am that you're back. Rachelville missed you.

Yes, DITTO!!

Regarding bunnies, we used to have a cinnamon colored one named Thumper. She lived quite some time. She died when she was ten. Thumper had quite the temper! She used to have a metal food bowl. Rabbits for the most part are not patient, and she almost broke the side of the glass cage she was in banging it from side to side! She also knew how to use the litterbox like Charlie's rabbit.

I forgot I had a bunny when I was around 11-12. We didn't have it long because I was not responsible back then and my parents ended up having to care for it, lol. He was all black and was named Thunder!

A big happy good morning to everyone!

And the same to you!!

I am in a not good place right noww I ate something for lunh yesturday that I had a major reaction to and I am really sick still. I was hoping I would wake up ok but that is not the case I feel really awful. This is going to be a really long day. The horrible thing is I think it was rice cakes I am reacting to. I hate those things !!!

Oh gosh Mia, I'm so sorry...stupid rice cakes! If I feel bad, at least I want it to be from something really tasty.

Congratulations and what a beautiful baby!

I'm so excited....and I just cant hide it....

HOORAY!!!!!!! That really is great news and you SHOULDN'T hide how excited you are!!!! Where are the Pointer Sisters when ya need them.

Oh No!!! You don't think our thread is getting too big do you???!!!! No wait, that can't be it!!!! I tried getting into a thread that only had 3 posts and I got that same thing, so there must be something going on with the board software. Although, I've only had it happen on this thread and that one other really small thread.

Okay, I put up a picture of my dad's yard...that was several years ago...I haven't seen the house in over 11 years so I don't know what it looks like now...I still own the house (along with my sisters and brother) but I can't go near it...long story.

And, on my personal page...my first dog Coco...OMG I LOVED those ears, lol. EDIT: OH, and note the lime green shoelaces!

I have a celiac disease 57 question- I understand that it's a measurement of the "killer cells" that are specific to Lyme but let's say it comes back "normal" (above 60 right? with optimal being 200?) That may just mean that the Lyme is currently not active in your system even though you may have been exposed? Would it mean that the symptoms I'm experiencing are NOT due to Lyme even though I may have Lyme anyway?

I'm not sure. My lymphocytes were low on my regular blood panel from my regular doctor, but for some reason I'm expecting the CD57 test to be normal. If it is normal, I'll ask the doctor your question.

WORK

heinous that they make you do that while you're there!!!!

Yeah, the nerve!

I so understand about this. I was the same way--I looked normal, and I always tried to act as if everything was fine. (which, looking back was pretty darn stupid) If I had to be somewhere, I would (not) eat accordingly. My whole life seemed to revolve around my symptoms.

Any energy I had went to my kids. Thank God I have a very understanding husband--but honestly, if the situation were reversed, I don't know if I'd have been so understanding.

I figured that if doctors couldn't find anything wrong, it must be just me.I went years like that. Finally, I came to realize that this wasn't normal--other people didn't have to think up excuses all the time as to why they can't go places and do things. of course by then, a lot of time had gone by....

Little by little, I just stopped doing anything that would take me too far out of the house. I'll never have that 20 years back. I try not to think about it--nothing I can do now about it anyway.

So I truly feel you when you talk about hating all of this and what it did to your life. It's not fair

I understand this too...living it now. People invite me places and I'm always saying no (unless it's one of my good friends--they know all about my woes, lol).

All my energy right now is going into making sure I can continue working. I need the medical insurance (such as it is--just found out I have a $500 annual maximum on preventative medicine--isn't that just the stupidest thing in the world...let's pay thousands of dollars for treatments, but let's not spend much to make sure you DON'T get sick) and I need the money to pay the bills, lol.

I'm way more withdrawn than I used to be...don't talk as much (well except to strangers in doctor's waiting rooms ).

Yep, I understand it.

I can't figure out--will I have to wait till 4:30 to hear (my time)? I am seriously confused!

Well, it's the confused leading the confused then. I think, yes, at least 4:30 your time, lol, but don't hold me to that, lol.

Plus I might DIE if I have to wait that long!!

It's not only YOUR life that might end...tell them there are about 10 other people who might die if you don't find out.

I can do stuff on my own...I built the pond...I built the scrapbook area with no help from anyone. My ex didnt understand how sick I was...noone did back then. I looked normal and I could still do things as long as it was hot outside and as long as I wasnt eating too much. I was all excited about the pond and how much I'd accomplished in one day....since when I woke up that day I had no idea I'd be building a pond.

I brought a picture of my dad's yard to scan and put up...but I've had to actually WORK today at work.

It's earlier than I usually make appointments but they didn't have an hour slot until really late in the day, so I took the earlier one.

Dinner will definitely be fun...these girls are a hoot! It's IMPOSSIBLE to NOT have a good time.

I remember My Big Fat Geek Wedding...very funny, lol.

I was hairy too...still am a bit I guess...not quite a unibrow, but was moreso when I was younger. Chin pluck. I seem to have a bit less now too.

Yep, I figure I won't get home until around 1:30 at the earliest tomorrow. My appt. is at 12:00 and it's an hour appointment. Depending on what he says and if I need additional testing etc. But I'll definitely post as soon as I get home. I'm going out to dinner with my friends to celebrate one of their birthday's--I definitely will post before I leave for that, so you all aren't hanging.

Uhm....Donna- unfortunately right now you ARE a mom- to a parasite. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news but the GOOD news is you can put it up for adoption. I hear they're fetchinga high price in exotic places far far away!

Yep, adoption it is!

Speaking of, what nailpolishes are gluten-free? Can you give me some specifics?

You know, I don't even think about that...I probably should but I just buy the color I like...doesn't matter which brand. Gosh, why am I sick again?!

Well.....I replied to a bunch of posts and then lost everything.

I cant go back to certain pages...Donna...WTH??

I'm tired of this computer...I seriously need to get away from dial-up ASAP.

Is it B-O or Bo? Cute picture of you and BO or Bo. I am really over dial-up myself, lol. If I didn't have so many stupid medical bills right now, I'd look into something faster. I can't figure out why it's only certain pages that won't load. I tried turning off avatars and signatures thinking it would load faster, but that didn't help. I'm stumped!

Hi, just a quickie here as I am in a busy training week. Maybe you all know this but floaters are common with lyme disease.

Hi Sherry! I had heard that about the floaters but I've been afraid to start thinking that that is what is causing them in me...I am fully expecting all of the tests to show negative for lyme since I don't seem to be producing an immune response to it, so I am trying to be prepared (mentally) for the possibility that the Dr will say I don't have lyme.

We took a long drive in the country today, looks like we bought a little house in a very cute town. There is kitchen, in the town, that can be rented for the next four months and 'rinne bars' will go into production, also a really wonderful space that can be leased to turn into the commercial kitchen I want.

I spent last week doing a business seminar and I have also been exploring setting up a commercial kitchen here. I am seriously unimpressed by how this city does business with small business.

I'm sitting here now wondering just how we are going to do all these things, sell our city house, find an apartment here or a storefront with living accomodations above, renovate our country house, start the business up. The great thing is that it all seems doable.

This is SO exciting!!!! I am so very happy for you!!! What an adventure!