Ticked Off...and Healing
Bob and I have lived in Madison County for almost 22 years. We’ve logged a lot of hours outdoors—that’s one of the gifts of living on an acreage. Nature has given us exquisite experiences, like spectacular sunsets and herds of deer in our backyard and fall color so vibrant it lights up our indoors through the windows, and sculptures of snow on our rail fence and trees.
Then again, nature also gives us ticks.
And a couple of weeks ago, a deer tick apparently gave me Lyme disease.
We didn’t know what it was at first. I took a nap late one afternoon, which is not unusual. But when I woke up, I felt as though several pieces of farm machinery had run over me and flattened every muscle in my body.
THAT was unusual.
For the next four days, I figured I had the flu. But when my ever-cycling fever started spiking at 103 and wouldn’t settle down for long, when the aches in my limbs got worse and I felt parched all the time, when my brain fog was so cloudy that I left the refrigerator door open and the bathroom faucet on, I called a medical intuitive friend of ours.
“Ohhh,” he said immediately. “This is a serious infection. I’m all for treating things with herbs and supplements when you can, but you need antibiotics for this. It’s spreading.”
That’s how I ended up in the emergency room not once but twice in the same day. Once to get the antibiotic. The second time for a reaction to the antibiotic.
And that’s when they put me in the hospital. For three days. I think they boot heart patients out faster than that. But they weren’t going to let me go until they had a diagnosis, and Lyme disease is notoriously difficult to pinpoint.
I didn’t have the telltale bull’s-eye rash. And they couldn’t find anything wrong with me after lab tests and x-rays and a CT scan. I was healthy as could be. Except for that pesky fever and the fact that reaching for a packet of saltine crackers two inches away was more than I could handle. Especially when I’d have to tear open the plastic. An overwhelming task.
The doctors suspected Lyme from the beginning, but they couldn’t confirm it at first. Fortunately, they put me on the antibiotics that are the “gold standard” for Lyme disease, so we had a head start once they felt confident with the diagnosis.
They sent me home with a week’s worth of pills and a benediction from the doctor of “You’ll do fine.” I believe him. I also believe him when he says that the aftermath of Lyme is real, and that I may have times of feeling achy or tired in the future. “Just manage it with Tylenol,” he said. And again, “You’ll do fine.”
And I have. Just over a week after getting home from the hospital, I’ve finished the course of antibiotics. I’ve been pacing myself as I get back into my work. And I’ve been taking lots of naps, none of which has resulted in immobility again.
My energy level isn’t 100% yet, but on some days it’s close. And since I know that most of my experience depends on what I think (along with the overwhelming prayers and blessings that friends and family sent while I was in the hospital—truly miraculous), I know I’ll be fine.
So why am I sharing all this? Because Lyme disease is a real thing. You’ve probably seen stories in the news recently about the uptick in tick-borne diseases, and I can attest to it. And while I rarely gave it a thought before, it is something you want to watch out for.
Since 2004, the incidence of six tick-borne diseases, mostly Lyme, has about doubled in the U.S.
In the past few days, I’ve talked with friends from coast to coast, and I’ve been surprised how many have had Lyme disease or know someone who has. It’s important to catch it as early as you can. Some have gone to the doctor as soon as they saw a rash or an unusual bite, and a dose of antibiotics has taken care of it.
So check yourself and family members carefully. If you find a suspicious bug bite, even without the rash, and even if you can’t find the tick (which may be the size of a sesame seed), follow up with your health professional.
Love your time in nature. AND take precautions, especially if you’re in wooded or tall grassy areas. This link to the CDC has useful information.
There’s a difference between fear and caution, and while I don’t want to cause anyone fear, I do think checking for ticks is a grand idea. Combine a little precaution with mindfulness and, as my doctor said, “You’ll do fine.”
I’m delighted to be a member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative!
Most of my retirement hours are spent outdoors in SW Iowa and northern MN (the latter a real hotspot) and after twice diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease I long ago suited up in purchased permethrin-treated shirt, pants and socks with an added daily dose of DEET below the knees. That and avoiding tall grass has reduced tick attacks to near zero.
BTW, the referenced CDC link is excellent, although purchased permethrin garments are more effective and cheaper in the long run. Google "tick pants".
And after spending the day outdoors Rascal the rat terrier gets a tub bath every evening upon entry into the house to remove loose ticks and any poison ivy oil.
I’m so glad you’re healing Deb. What a scare. For some reason I didn’t know you had Lyme disease. I must’ve missed the memo. I know it’s important to be careful so thank you for the cautionary warning and the info as well. I’m also glad they caught it soon enough to treat it. Sending love and healing to you!