Lyme Disease - Denise’s Story
This is brief story of how Lyme Disease affects people. Denise is also a knitter.
“My name is Denise and I contracted Lyme Disease in 1995. I didn’t even feel the “bite” because Ticks have a numbing agent, amazing! But within a few days I felt like I had come down with the flu, those achy feelings, fevers and feeling fatigued. Many people think one has to have the classic Bulls Eye Rash to have Lyme but the simple truth is that less than 50% of people who get infected develop any type of rash.
“Little did I know about Lyme Disease even though I am from Long Island, NY. My so-called “flu” didnt go away so I was at the mercy of seeing a myriad of doctors during a course of 5 long suffering years. None of them diagnosed me with Lyme but told me it was “all in my mind.” My body ached, I had stabbing pains in my legs, even lost the use of my legs for over a year in which I was crawling around on my hands and knees just to use my bathroom.
“There were times when I wanted to give up but being the stubborn lady I am, I kept pushing to find an answer to my “mystery illness” and after doing extensive research I actually diagnosed myself with Lyme but needed medical proof which I finally received.
“One of the things that kept me going during those dark years was knitting and crocheting as I was bedridden most of the time but was able to use my hands. So thank goodness for the world of yarn, hooks, and needles. These tools got me through my darkest days.
“To date, I have been in remission for over a year and plan on donating my work to this wonderful cause. Thanks Keri!”
Lyme Disease, Stitching for Lyme, knitting, crochet
November 27th, 2006 at 10:47 am
Thanks so much for sharing your Lyme story, explaining to others how incredibly difficult it can be, and giving others hope of being in remission! So glad you are feeling better these days.
Please consider signing the Lyme Disease Association petition if you haven’t already… New guidelines from IDSA threaten care for ALL chronic Lyme patients:
http://www.lymediseaseassociation.org/referral/Petitions/Petition.php?id=1
Also, NYC-area rally planned!
http://www.lymenews.org