maddymeetslyme

Mentoring Patients with Lyme disease When You’ve ‘Been There’ Before

When I began my journey with Lyme disease, I craved for advice from someone who had “been there.” I constantly searched for blogs or articles written by people who were sharing their stories. More than anything, I was in such a raw and vulnerable place, I was looking for someone who could be vulnerable with me and shareContinue reading “Mentoring Patients with Lyme disease When You’ve ‘Been There’ Before”

Healing Fatigue

I’m going to collapse from the weight of my bones. Pushing my body so hard the floor groans I’m going to collapse from the frenzy in my mind My thoughts hijacking my soul every time The frustration, the emotion, the pain continue to climb and finally, I fall I would cry but I feel soContinue reading “Healing Fatigue”

Advocating for Federal Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Funding

Yesterday, I had the opportunity to participate in the Center for Lyme Action Virtual Fly-In. Every year at the beginning of the appropriations process, this nonprofit organizes a day of meetings with congressional representatives from all 50 states. As an advocate, I got to sit in meetings with New York’s senators and congressmen and women.Continue reading “Advocating for Federal Lyme and Tick-Borne Disease Funding”

Comments about Chronic Illness

It’s hard to know what to say when someone tells you they are sick and not going to get better anytime soon. It’s hard to know what to do when that person is in a lot of pain day after day. This challenge leads to lots of hurtful comments, and in those moments, it’s reallyContinue reading “Comments about Chronic Illness”

Isolation Takes a Toll

I could be in a room full of people, but still feel alone. I’m trapped inside my head. While I may have made it to the event, the pain is still there, and it’s the only thing on which I can focus. There are brief moments I pop into the conversation, to the people surroundingContinue reading “Isolation Takes a Toll”