TIME SUCK

How long a minute is, depends on which side of the bathroom door you’re on. – Zall’s Second Law

Note: Recently, I made the decision to share more about my family’s Lyme diagnosis and treatment; part of it is cathartic, and in part to help increase awareness about the impact of Lyme.

There are days, like today, that I get annoyed at how Lyme impacts our time.

Today, my older son is home, not feeling well, five days after starting his new Lyme protocol. He was fine last night but woke up this morning with chills, fatigue and an upset stomach. His temperature and his skin color are normal. It is not a cold or the flu but rather a Herxheimer reaction: Lyme bacteria in his body is dying off.

We’ve been down this road before: I know he will be feeling better in the next 48 hours or so. In the meantime, it means he’s missed another day of school.

Time, so much time for all of us has been lost treating Lyme.

The missed days at school due to Herxheimer reactions and doctor appointments. Sometimes, like today, it’s a full day, other days, my boys miss half a day of school.

The 22-mile drive each way to the doctor’s office for lab reviews and neurotherapy. Occasionally it’s weekly, other times, twice a week; then there are the weeks that I’ve been there four consecutive days. I often wonder if it would just make sense to set up a desk there so I can work.

Time lost sorting and organizing the 145+ supplements, powders and drops for the new protocol. The work is tedious as I write out the dosing, create the label, put the bottles in one of three labeled boxes: “Karen”, “K” and “C”. Last Friday morning, three hours: gone

The doctor bills, writing letters to the insurance company and filling out a total of twenty-three Subscriber’s Statement of Claim forms – with no guarantee of coverage or reimbursement. Last weekend, two hours on a sunny Saturday: gone.

Each morning, after taking my own dose, I dole out the supplements, measure out the microbial drops, and remind my sons to take their supplements. The constant reminding: “Your supplements are ready”; “Don’t forget to take your supplements”; “Your supplements are still on the counter “takes anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes. The evening regimen is a repeat of the morning, but thankfully, my husband helps with dosing and reminding. Swallowing all those capsules isn’t fun and the drops taste terrible. Trust me.

Lyme treatment takes time. I am thankful it is not debilitating.

The boys can go to school; I can coach clients and write. We are not homebound.

The boys can play sports; I can hike. We still have physical strength.

The boys are managing their health; I am managing mine. We have a treatment plan.

We are fortunate. Many Lyme patients cannot say the same.

Right now, our time may be consumed by Lyme but we have the time and resources to dedicate to treatment’; the time we are investing now means a better quality of life once treatment is complete.

I look forward to being on the other side of the door soon, but for today, I will be patient. I’ve got all the time in the world.