We did
The short answer is we did. The long answer takes a bit more time to explain. Mark’s journey with Lyme Disease has been anything but simple. I wish it had been simple and I wish we could have put him on a good dose of amoxicillin and called it good. Except, it’s not that easy.
The amount of antibiotics to treat Lyme is ridiculously scary. Mark wanted to avoid antibiotics because he knew how hard they would be on his body. Mark’s body hyperventilates at all medicine. If there are any side effects, his body will experience all of them. However, supplements are often expensive and not always financially feasible over time. So, after a couple of weeks, he decided to try the antibiotic route. I only give my input on his journey when he asks me. Even when I do give my thoughts I leave it open-ended because it is his body and I want to be supportive in his journey.
Does he have Malaria?
The first time we picked up his prescription the doctor asked us if he had Malaria. Nope, he doesn’t have Malaria, he’s just fighting Lyme Disease. The antibiotic regiments are done in six-week increments. The six weeks are broken up into three weeks. Three weeks on three different antibiotics and then the last three weeks are treated with three different antibiotics. The purpose of this is so the body does not become immune to the various medicines.
We did the first six weeks; then Mark took a two-week break. When the break was over, he began another six-week regiment. In these twelve weeks, he could not function. He looked like a dried-up grape.
Lyme is a fist of rage and it doesn’t play fair. It’s complicated to treat. What works for one person will cause another one to look like a raisin. I wish to God Mark’s body would have responded to the antibiotics. Like my good friend Mandy Hall says, “you can wish in one
Mark has been seeing an amazing doctor at the Dulcimer Medical Center in Fairmont, MN. She is patient, understanding, a Lyme specialist, and knows the complication of finding a regiment that will help Lyme patient’s body go into remission.
When do antibotics work?
Sometimes if you catch the bull’s eye rash or the symptoms quick enough you can be put on antibiotics and poof, the Lyme and the symptoms go away. However, for people like Mark who have had it for over twelve years the story is much different. Lyme becomes harder to treat. One of the reasons is that Lyme is not the only thing he is fighting in his body. Lyme creates co-infections such as Babesia and Bartonella. Neither of which I completely understand.
After the 12 weeks of antibiotics, we began talking to others who have/had Lyme to learn what some of our other options are for treatment. We researched a wide range of protocols, really open to anything. Often the holistic medicine world and the traditional medicine world have polar opposite approaches and beliefs. We wholeheartedly believe there is a place for both. We don’t think we should dive off the deep end on either one, but try to find a balance.
What is Mark using now?
One day my mom was
Mark, not me, decided this was the one he should try. Through this one
So, the short answer is he did try antibiotics, but they do not work for everyone. Actually, most people we have talked to have told us they didn’t work for them either.
So, how is Mark doing?
He’s doing ok. He has begun to work for Ken Hood Services using his skills as a web developer. There are two big blessings of this job. One he loves it and it gives him positive energy. Secondly, he is able to work from home. This helps him to be able to conserve energy while working from the comfort of home. In addition, I have continued to work at the hotel to give us a dual income. This is allowing us to continue purchasing his medicine on a monthly basis to aid in his healing. We continue to work as a family to get everyday tasks done. I attempt to do as many of the jobs around the house as Mark would normally do, but can’t. I actually enjoy working around the house and usually do not mind doing them. However there are just jobs that are bigger than me and we are blessed to be able to either ask for help from family and friends or we hire a local, trusted business.
Is it the right story?
So, that’s our story, and we’re sticking to it. Is it the right story? Well, only time will tell. We trust our doctor and we trust the Lord to make our way straight. If you have questions about our journey, please feel free to message me or Mark and ask. We don’t mind discussing our journey. However, I would appreciate it done with love and respect. A disease is a nasty business be it cancer, Lyme, AS, depression or what have you. Life doesn’t play fair, and we need to be on the journey together. It’s too hard to go it alone.