I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday. ~Author Unknown

Yesterday afternoon, I received an email from my younger son’s science teacher:

Dear Karen,

I wanted to reach out and let you know that C had a great lab day! He set the example for multi-tasking and working on the review sheet during lab (we had to take turns with scales, so some students were completing review sheets while waiting for the scales), he shared data with others during the demonstration, and he was focused with his group for the entire block period.

Thank you for your support of his education and wishing you a great rest of your Wednesday. – Larissa

That email could not have been timed better: My younger son and I had just left a productive meeting with his Humanities teacher discussing ways to help support his efforts and maintain focus on his classwork. I wanted his teacher to understand we are dealing with Lyme, I wanted her to share our optimism, and I wanted to show her he was working to be a better student.

Over the summer, my older son had started Neurotherapy to help him with his brain fog and attention issues as a result of Lyme and Borrelia burgdorferi. On the second day of the new school year, my older son told me how, for the first time he could remember, was able to really focus and pay attention in class. His proclamation brought tears of joy to my eyes.

My younger son was inspired by his older brother and our doctor felt he would benefit from Neurotherapy as well.

At the end of October, my son went in for a brain scan and evaluation and treatment commenced on November 12th. As of today, he has had five sessions with approximately 35 more to go. We have seen progress: less time wandering around the classroom, a desire to read more, and more patience/less frustration. I feel hopeful.

This disease is a lonely one: treatment protocols for each of us are not the same and the protocols are not traditional. Sometimes I feel like I am the crazy one as I describe Neurotherapy, ozone treatment, or grounding to people who ask, “How do you treat Lyme?” You’d think I just said we were being treated with voodoo and magic.

I looked back at my blog post “An A in Guacamole” (https://tinyurl.com/ycpw949w) and the email I sent to my son’s teacher who had failed him in Spanish:

Dear Senora C,

Living with Lyme, I know this disease is not a one-size-fits-all and that few people understand what our family is going through. My job is to continue to support my son in whatever way, shape, or form he needs. While C excelled in all his other classes, I am sorry Spanish was not at the top of his list and that he was a disappointment to you this year. – Karen

I can see how far my son has come in just a few months.

I can see how much I have learned.

I can see how advocacy and having faith has helped my family.

Yesterday’s email is a victory. No matter the size, I will celebrate each one.