Skirting Freedom

This recent photo says SO much. Really, I was just being silly. 

But even just the fact that I was being silly says so much. If ya know what I mean.

I have felt ready to live. Ready to take on the world. Ready to fly. Ready to have fun. Ready to be less serious. Ready to take life in.

For instance, I went grocery shopping. I had been out shopping, by myself, for three hours and would gleefully giggle while wearing this silly large grin as I pushed my packed cart to the car ... caring very little what other's might be thinking about me.

What's different in this situation than the past?

A) I went grocery shopping. Period.
B) I went alone. (For a couple of years, I couldn't do this alone. Body was too weak mind couldn't think straight.)
C) I was out shopping - for hours.
D) I was out shopping for hours - and felt happy, giddy, and energetic at the end of it all.
E) I was aware of other's around me, of life, of things, of ... shopping!

Life has been different. I'm sillier. I'm annoyingly energetic. I've taken on teaching a variety of classes. I've selected the college I want to go to to obtain my Naturopathic Doctor degree and am ready to tackle it.

Life is good.

It was only one year ago that I began getting the treatments in Pocatello. It was only one year ago I knew I had months left to live.

One small year. So close to exiting this world.

What's changed?

The IV treatments did wonders. The lypo C did wonders. The essential oils did wonders. They brought me to a good point but I've started a new treatment protocol. It requires 1 to 1 1/2 hours of my time every evening. But it gifts me with life the next day and will, one day, be something I won't have to do at all.

I'm still not completely better. There are issues that need addressing outside of the Lyme but I feel free to live life.

And am feeling ... goooood!

Treatments 23-27

Well after that visit with my dear friends we went again about a month later - for another two treatments. After having spoken with Dr. Levy (vitman C guru and author of Curing the Incurables), Dr. J upped the vitamin C dosage. It wiped me out more than usual but I was happy to have boosted what I normally get.

I must say however, that I never really felt relief from symptoms like I normally did after those treatments. It was kind of frustrating.

About a month after that time I went in again - kind of as an emergency visit. I was fighting something off and was so incredibly weak and foggy brained from it. I felt a bit better after the few treatments and the thing I was fighting off for so long was finally able to manifest itself (a sinus infection).

After this visit to the clinic I began taking doTERRA's lyme disease protocol (using a particular line of essential oils to hit the Lyme bacteria in just the right way). AND I started taking this amazing new vitamin C called Lypo Spheric Vitamin C.

Apparantly, even according to Dr. Levy, this vitamin C is superior to receiving IV vitamin C. The body uses 100% of this vitamin C due to the vitamin C particles being encapsulated with liposomes/phospholipids which then, once ingested, is used by the body differently and is brought straight to the blood and to the cells.

Well, I was taking 7000mg of this vitamin C and doing the doTERRA protocol - and suddenly, it hit: the biggest Lyme die-off I've ever had.

Now, I've experienced die off. I've watched videos of other people experiencing full blown die off and never thought I'd experience such a thing. But I did ... arms and legs having spasms, joints feeling full of pressure, muscles twitching everywhere and that feeling! The most dreadful part of it all - a feeling so consuming, throughout my whole body as if the Lyme bacteria were taking on a life of its own and completely overtaking my body - it's terrible.

When a person sees a Lyme patient having die off they see the physical part of it - the twitching and jerking and the look of misery on a persons face but no one can understand the inner turmoil going on throughout the whole body's system unless one has experienced it. It is unreal!

It was hard, taxing, crazy - but I got through it and am happy that I can continue taking these supplements that are making a difference in my body. It took me a few days to recover from that episode but I felt SO much better after that.

I'm also super happy about the Lypo Vitamin C because it's such a wonderful and powerful supplement to keep in food storage and use for my family.

I'm currently experimenting with creating my own Lypo Spheric Vitamin C.

We shall see if I'm successful!

Treatments 17 - 22

I ended up going to the clinic just for one more treatment about a month after my last post. I must have been fighting something off because that treatment wiped me out for 2 weeks! But I recovered after that and was stabilizing.

I spent this last Monday through Thursday at the clinic with a couple friends of mine. I love them dearly. One of them had bladder cancer and still has some low white blood cells that she wants to see go back to normal and the other friend has Fibromyalgia and a handful of other issues that she is so desperately wanting to recover from.

We had a great time together! Some of our adventures were as follows:

* On our way there a car driving behind us suddenly lost its tire and quickly steered off the side of the freeway sending dust flying everywhere. The tire bounced across the opposite side of traffic and it just so happened that a police car witnessed this on the other side of the freeway and quickly went into action to help that person. What a blessing that the car didn't lose complete control and that the cop just happened to be there exactly when it happened! Amazing.

* Shirene working her "magic" and getting us the room we wanted/needed. When we got there we had been put in a tiny room that didn't even have a fridge or microwave. Shirene has outstanding communication skills and worked that skill to get us what we needed. In the end we got a spacey room with that fridge and microwave we were in need of, a fridge that was thoroughly clean, and a table with four working legs.

*  We were frightened to death a couple of times because the pot Amber was using to melt the cheese on her spelt bread was creating a lot of smoke (we had an indoor cooker) and we were worried that it'd set off the fire alarm - that'd be bad!- but with a lot of waving paper plates around, covering the top of the pot and opening the front door we managed to avoid the fire alarm from going off.

*  Shirene was a pro. once it comes to a particular Niacin treatment but on the third day Amber and I were given the Niacin treatment for the first time and had a great time of it. Our bodies burned like they were severely sunburned and our faces and skin turned bright red. Amber couldn't even talk to me without breaking out in a hardy laugh - my abnormally red face was too big of a distraction for a little chat. It was super funny.

*  Then came our adventure with a sinus treatment they did for me. They did an ozone injection treatment into my sinuses which bloated out my face so badly (which is totally normal) that I looked like I either took up professional boxing as a profession or I had a severe allergic reaction to something. I knew what room Shirene was in so I went and showed her how I looked. She just did an intense gasp and said, "did it hurt?" and didn't quite know what to say. But I just laughed. Next I showed Amber who also gasped in horror but then laughed with me as I darn near had a complete laugh attack and hid my face under a blanket. It was seriously funny.

*   However, seeing as how my body isn't as strong as it used to be, about an hour later, I went to get a drink and suddenly felt that I couldn't move. My body was wigging out. An attack was coming on. Amazingly (due to the goodness of God) as I kneeled on the ground and began to cry while thinking "Oh, John where are you.? I need you here with me. Somebody help me." Amber just happened to come out of the IV room and said, "Are you crying?!" She helped me get up. One of the nurses came over as well and got me into another room.

My body shook, my muscles twitched and ached, my heart pounded like crazy and my strength was diminished. Lyme. It isn't fun. But I recovered after a short amount of time and felt ever so grateful that Amber was there to help during that breakdown.

Although we were all quite exhausted from our treatments we had such a great time. We talked until late into the night. Watched Crocodile Dundee until 11pm. Ate together. Did treatments together. Laughed together. Napped together. Allowed ourselves to be couch potatoes together (watching several series of Reba and Leverage). Strengthened one another. It was wonderful. I'm so grateful to have had that experience with them.

We have all made progress with our treatments at the clinic and time will prove that more and more. I was surprised to find myself having more energy than I've ever had as I got the treatments during those four days. I wasn't completely wiped out like I normally am. Thank goodness! That says a lot about the progress I'm making.

As for today - I'm experiencing some good die-off. It's hard going through it but it's comforting to know that things are working and moving and changing.

I am so blessed by Heavenly Father and look forward to complete healing so that I can, more consistently, be the mother, wife, sister and aunt I want and need to be.

An Unexpected Gift.

I received a gift in the mail today. Call it a little miracle. Call it a completely unselfish act on the part of someone I may or may not know. Call it what you may. It was a gift - a gift I do not take lightly and am ever so grateful for.

Thank you to whomever gifted me with another round of treatments. I feel beyond grateful ... I feel humbled.

Thank you.

Treatments 14, 15 & 16

About 1 1/2 weeks after the week long treatment, I went for another 3 days of treatments. (We just got back today.) We decided to make a trip of it with our kids and so we brought them along, stayed in a 2 bedroom hotel and tried to make it a fun event. They got to swim three different times which made it totally worth it for them.

The kids got to see the clinic and watch as they stuck me with the the IV needle and drew out some of my blood for the ozone and light machine treatment. I think it was good for them to see what has been being done to help their mama. It was also fun to see some people I've made friends with over the last couple of months and have my kids meet them as well.

After the second treatment, on the first day, I crashed a bit. I slept from 6pm until 7:30am. And felt that I could have slept a whole other day if I didn't have to get up for another round of treatments. However, the second day's treatments gave me a bit of an energy boost.

We went home after the treatment on the second day where I still felt pretty tired. I'm now anxiously awaiting to see what improvements will take place from here on out.

So onward and upward from here on out. I love the West Clinic. My (new) life long dream is to find a way to get people who are sick and ill and get them over to the West Clinic - their expenses would be paid and their trip be made as smooth and relaxing as possible.

So many people are there that can barely pay for their visits. So many can't afford to go at all. I wish that wasn't so. Money should not hold people back from getting well - I want to be able to help.

It was so nice seeing some of the people I'm closest to - some of those that I pray for every night. I want so badly for them to completely recover. It amazes me to see the progress they've already made.

When I first saw Nancy, she had a feeding tube and was still fairly weak. Her husband took her from a hospital where, after a long stay there, her stomach having shut down and she being in a non-coherent state, the doctors shrugged their shoulders at them and told him to take Nancy and go home.


Knowing that she only had maybe a week left to live, her husband, being desperate to have his sweet little wife live, brought her to the West Clinic not quite sure of their "strange" ways of going about treating people. He brought her there anyway as one last ditch effort to get his wife to live.

A few months later she's alive, walking, talking, functioning. What almost killed her? Chronic Lyme and parasites in her blood, mainly. Oh I love being able to visit with her! It's been 6 months now and she's doing so much better.

The next person is Gayle. She also has Lyme and some other issues. She and I have symptoms that are quite like one another. I've loved being able to visit with her . She lights up my day every time I see her. How a woman, who has struggled for so long, still keeps that twinkle in her eye and smile on her face is a wonder to me! I'm so glad I've met her. And I'm so happy that her symptoms are disappearing. 

 I'm so grateful that the West Clinic exists not only because it's saving my life but because it's saved the lives of people, such as these wonderful women, as well.

Week Long Treatment

So after that last appointment, plans were made for me to receive treatments (two treatments per day) for a full week ... that week long trip took place a couple of weeks ago. My mom watched the kids for the first 3 days and my mother-in-law watched the kids the last day.

When we got to the clinic we found out that Dr. J was going to be out of town that Friday - which was a bit disappointing at first but then, figuring that things happen for a reason, we chippered up and continued on with the treatments.

It's pretty easy to sum up how the treatments went: the first night I had a killer head ache and that night plus the following days and nights I was quite tired. Every time I'd chat with my mom my answer to her question about how I was doing would always be, "I'm tired." No body twitching, brain inflammation, heart beating like mad ... it was pretty calm. I feel very blessed.

The next couple of days upon getting home were rather frustrating. My brain was feeling super icky and I wasn't functioning well. My spirits were quite down and I felt a growing burden. That burden existed because  my family (especially my father, a sister, my mother and many from church) were anxious to see if I was doing better. And, at that point, I wasn't! In fact, I didn't feel much better than before I ever started going.

Boy was I frustrated and angry.

BUT ... after those first two initial days, suddenly I found myself cleaning my house more than usual, running the kids around and not needing to take a nap during the day. I questioned myself a few times, "Am I getting better?" and I asked my husband the same thing. I'd think back on 2-3 months ago and realize that I sure wasn't able to do this much that long ago.


Two to three months ago, I was taking multiple naps a day and even when I was awake I'd keep myself busy doing things that allowed me to stay sitting. I'd miss out on going out and doing things with my family because I simply wouldn't be able to keep up or last that long. I'd have regular flare ups that would completely wipe me out and where leaving me alone at home wasn't an option. I couldn't even do the dishes anymore - it was all too much! My kids and John were doing everything. 


So yes, yes I was doing better! And unlike the past 5 years, where I'd do my own stuff to try and get better or be following a health specialists regimen and feel some kind of relief, the relief, the healing, felt more solid, steady, real and permanent. 


Although, because of so many past experiences, I'm still a bit hesitant to cry out and say it's totally working I really feel quite hopeful and happy about it all!


(The photo is of me on the last day there. The doctor's flight was leaving earlier than he had initially planned and so he had us come in extra early that day so that I could get the full treatment for that day. We were put in one of the rooms (instead of the usual IV room where I get to sit in a recliner) while they had their usual morning meeting in the IV room.)

Sixth Treatment

Yesterday's treatment went well. My amazing mother drove me this time. We had a good time talking as we drove there. We talked about our family, thinking positively, why on earth anyone would want to live in the lonely and desolate (though beautiful) areas we drive by on our way to Pocatello and a variety of other things.

While at the clinic, I had the opportunity to meet Sara, Alicia's daughter. She only comes there every 3-4 months just for maintenance and so I was lucky to have met her. Her story is an inspiration to me. There's a YouTube video I watched a little while ago, before beginning my treatments at the West Clinic, which made me realize that if the West Clinic could help her they should definitely be able to help me. I had my camera. I wish I took a picture! But oh well.

I did the usual: Ozone bag with the light therapy and the Chronic Illness bag. My test results came back for my hormones and the results were pretty good. Both my estrogen and progesterone need to be up-ed some but aside from that, my hormones were quite stable. (Yay!)

I had a healing crisis that night. I was experiencing a strong bout of brain dizziness and then the body twitching/jerking came in. Laying down was uncomfortable but I was so tired. I sat for a while with my eyes closed as the feeling of die-off raged through my body causing my body to twitch, jerk and become tense in ways I can't control. I then laid down next to John. He stayed by my side, massaging my head and stiff, twitching arms. Have I mentioned how wonderful he is?

The episode only lasted about an hour then I was able to fall asleep. I woke up feeling tired but lighter somehow. I'm sure of the fact that my body shed some yucky spirochetes last night. (Another yay!)

I know I'm getting better and it's kinda exciting. Today, I feel for those people suffering with Lyme. They need to go to a place like the West Clinic - I don't know of any other answer for Lyme. I've tried being on a super good diet, I've taken all sorts of supplements, I've done an array of cleanses, and I've used homeopathic and herbal remedies for my specific issues and although all these things were good and they've created a healthy and strong foundation upon which I will heal more quickly, they weren't ever what turned things around.

Lyme disease is more serious than people think. John came to me the other day, almost angry, saying, "Ya know, people just don't realize what Lyme disease is. It kills people!" Yes, yes it does. Slowly, might I add. Like I said though, I'm so glad the West Clinic exists.

We're trying to figure out when we'll make that week long trip. Better sooner than later. But it's a little tricky with John's filming schedule and other things that seem to be getting in the way. It isn't until a month out that we have a solid open week. I feel confident, however, that all will work out the way it's supposed to in the end.