Lyme Disease in My Shadows

So I turned 66 this week and it set a point in my timeline for reflection in terms of both my own lyme diseae journey and the world in which I live.

On a physical level, I’m on day three back on the 5 herbal tinctures that I started last January that lead to feeling the best I have in years by May. Looking back everything my doctor has had me try since then has only lead to slipping backwards. So, I decided, on my own, without his consultation, to go back to the protocol that had worked best on the belief it can and will get me feeling as good as I did last May.

Unfortunately, on day three, I am feeling yucky on my birthday week, so no party time. Just me and the love of my life quietly enjoying  the rain of December at Swashport. And if you know anything about me, quiet time leads to day dreams and reflection.

I find myself staring at the shadows of my life wondering what is real and what if fake. Is how I am feeling today herxing or just the expectation of herxing so I feel yucky all over today?

I know what lyme disease herxing is. I know how it felt to have full energy back, no brain fog, joint aches and general fatigue. I am also very aware that we are classified as “head cases” all too often. I assure you my head is clear and fully conscious.

It is helpful to share what you are feeling, but even better to talk with others who understand your experience. I hope to create an online zoom support group soon,  Keep a look out on my events page on this site.

In the Allegory of the Cave,  Plato’s story shares how  “Socrates describes a group of people who have lived chained to the wall of a cave all their lives, facing a blank wall. The people watch shadows projected on the wall from objects passing in front of a fire behind them and give names to these shadows. The shadows are the prisoners’ reality, but are not accurate representations of the real world….Socrates explains how the philosopher is like a prisoner who is freed from the cave and comes to understand that the shadows on the wall are actually not reality at all.“, Wikipedia.

“The Expanding State of Awareness or Consciousness”,  Tom Cowan, MD, David Ick and Dr. Andrew Kaufman, 2021.

“Plato’s Allegory of the Cave: Summary and Meaning for Screenwriters”,  Mike Bedard, 2020.