what I learned today

First of all, I've got a lovely case of shingles. It's been a rough week, to say the least. I've been struggling a great deal with intense, relentless pain in my joints and muscles, overwhelming fatigue, a cold that I can't seem to fight off, and then a nasty batch of shingles got thrown into the mix. We're certainly being kept on our toes :)

This afternoon, after confirming with my doctor that I do indeed have shingles, we went over some of my recent blood test results. Most stuff came back nice and normal. Hoorah. I did, however, test positive for lyme disease.

Wow.

I would like to further elaborate, but in a nutshell, this is big news. It's very possible that I've had lyme disease for years, wreaking havoc on my immune and nervous systems. At this point it is not clear whether I still do have fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue syndrome - lyme disease very well may be part of the underlying culprit that "triggered" the development of both syndromes. As I go through treatment, we'll hopefully get a better picture of just how much of a role lyme disease has played in my health struggles.

l will try to post a more thorough update and explanation as my energy and painful fingers and wrists allow.

Please keep Spencer in your prayers this upcoming week! He has a big paper and another project due next week, as well as finals. He has been working so hard juggling school, work, and taking care of me, and is quite exhausted.

My dear, sweet mother is staying with us this week to help out. What a blessing she has been to us! Little did we know just how much we would need and appreciate her help during this hectic, draining week. It has been so helpful and encouraging to have her company and to have meals prepared, dishes and laundry washed, etc so that Spencer can focus on finishing up a very demanding semester. We are so very thankful and blessed.