The tiny hummingbird is so strong and fierce. This teeny thing travels thousands of miles, wings fluttering in a blur. Taking nearly 250 breaths per minute and a heart rates up to 1250 per minute. The smallest bird in North America, the Ruby Throated Hummingbird is fueling up before heading to Central America for the winter.
This little bird is such a symbol of strength and perseverance. Something that I will need for the days ahead.
For those that have been following me, you know my crazy forays into tall grasses a couple of months ago that caused me to go into Anaphylactic shock. The Lone Star Tick gave me an allergy to meat.
But the ticks were more than generous with their illnesses. I decided to visit a Lymes Disease specialist last week. I’ve been feeling off for about a year. Little things that gradually add up. Little things that one would think was attributed to general aging. Sore knees, headaches, backaches, depression, moodiness, memory loss, shortness of breath and more. It’s my age right? Um…NOPE !
I began the long regime of antibiotics last week and it’ll be quite a while before the Lymes can be kicked out of my system. It’s been quite the learning curve though.
I had visited five doctors in one month, each with their own speciality. NOT ONE, asked if I had a Lymes test. NOT ONE, connected the dots to my long term ailments to tick bites.
(Hummingbird break – Perseverance)
It seems that Chronic Lymes Disease is becoming rampant in the U.S. and is a silent epidemic. Start talking about it with friends and many know someone, or themselves has succumbed to Lymes at one point or another. But U.S. traditional doctor’s don’t believe it exists. It’s almost a conspiracy theory and a wonderful medical documentary helps explain political conditions in the U.S., tied in with the insurance companies.
What’s amazing is this full featured film has been on Youtube since February, 2014, but only has 25,000 views. Hard to imagine considering how devastating and lethal Lymes disease is.
(Start at minute 40 to get to the heart of the matter)
Lymes is best diagnosed by clinical symptoms as the standard Lymes blood test is less than 50% accurate. So the good news is, I’ve got an answer to my ailments and am now under treatment. The bad news? Now that I’m killing the bugs with antibiotics, I feel lousy. So bear with me my dear friends and readers. Sometimes I may only be able to post a photo and a smile.
See you on the other side! Bella
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
I have it and have had it since last summer. Antibiotics and more antibiotics and then they tell me nothing more they can do. Bull crap! I am 5 weeks in doing hyperbaric oxygen therapy. Has helped with the pain in the elbows and knees.
Oh My! That is so awful for you and I certainly feel your pain. I feel that I am fortunate as my ailments are not severe. I sure hope the Hyperbaric therapy works for you. I’ve heard it does wonders. Best of luck to you.
I read the article about the Lone Star Tick enroute to work today and thought of sending you the article. Lo and behold, here you are talking about it. It’s bizarre case in USA lately and Time posted this yesterday: http://time.com/3090269/a-bite-from-this-tick-could-make-you-severely-allergic-to-red-meat/
I sure hope that the medicine will be the cure. Take Care, Bella.
Wow, isn’t it amazing how I get the fancy new allergy that everyone is talking about? I’m famous. LOL!
Glad your sense of humour is not infected. 🙂 Yes, you are a star!
OMG! I hope you get back on your feet soon. 💃 Bugs don’t bother me, cept those parasitic types… mosquitos and ticks and fleas, oh my!
You really do make me laugh ! Can’t believe how behind I am on my comments. So sorry, but thank you so much for your well wishes.
It seems like most people know about ticks and Lymes disease except for the ones that should, doctors! I hope that you are feeling better soon, and suffer no long term effects of the Lymes.
The first three weeks of treatment were really rough, but the past few days have been better. Perhaps there is light at the end of the tunnel after all. Thank you so much for your well wishes.
I posted a like here (but that seems kinda weird).
best wishes to you – of course) and glad you got it diagnosed, eventually (!)
Hope to read more of you and yours soon.
make like the hummingbird eh ?
Indeed I have certainly made like the hummingbird and am starting to feel much better. 10 more days until next doc visit. We’ll see what happens. Thank you so much for your warm wishes, it has helped.
Beautiful pictures— I LOVE hummingbirds!
Thanks Ruthanne! I love them about as much as you. 🙂
Your Hummingbird photo is so beautiful, so i clicked ‘Like’ for that. 🙂
I’m so sorry that you’ve got this disease, Emily. The effect of antibiotic treatment on one’s system, is always less than ideal. I really hope that you recover very soon, and feel more yourself again. *hugs*
Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m lucky as the past two days have been good days. Hopefully I’ll lick this quick and be on my merry way. 🙂
Sending you positive thoughts. 🙂 ☼♥
I am so very sorry, Emily. Not many doctors know how to deal with the symptoms – Lyme Disease is complex and difficult to treat. They have made excellent progress over the years. My neighbours (who have Lymes) tell me that the treatments are effective and there is a lot more research going on. You will be in my thoughts. Please keep us updated on your progress.
You’re probably on vacation this day, but truly do appreciate your warm words. The antibiotic treatment does work, but at times people have to be on them for years before getting truly better. Then secondary things happen like candida. Oh great….
I am in Glasgow and heading north to the Highlands so I am in and out of WIFI. You have been in my thoughts. I know that you will continue to improve. The treatments are improving and research is well underway now that the medical system realizes the seriousness of Lyme.