“A New and Improved Prairie Lymelight Network”

April 9, 2012

Welcome followers and new visitors to the Prairie Lymelight Network!  I have worked like a mad woman on updating the website with as much valuable information as I can possibly think of.  I am continuously learning fascinating new information from my Lyme doctor in the U.S so I promise to update things on a more regular basis as I am learning.  I sure hope you enjoy the new categories I have added:  Diagnosis & Treatment, My Lymestyle and Testing.

I have updated the majority of the original categories and added some wonderful new healing concepts in the Inspiring Healing Strategies Advancing into the Lymelight category.  I welcome you to check out all the new stuff and feel a renewed sense of inspiration just as I have.

In true diary form, I lay before you some of my innermost thoughts and feelings.  I haven’t taken this route previously in my journal entries but I felt the absolute need to talk from my heart and be real with all of you this go around.  This personal website truly is one big diary of what I live with and go through on a daily basis.  So for the times I can’t find the words to express what I deal with or maybe I don’t even know where to begin, this website is laid out before you so hopefully it helps those to better understand what living with Lyme really looks like.

Recently, I was ignited to update and continue with Prairie Lymelight after a dear fellow Lymie lost her battle.  It devastated me and hit way too close to home.  My passion sparked more than ever before to continue to share my story and educate as many people as possible on this potentially debilitating disease.  She didn’t deserve to die and this illness took away a young lady’s life when her future could have been so bright and meaningful.  It is my true intention to help bring to light an illness that can rob innocent people of their health, take away their hopes and dreams for their futures and most tragic of all, it can take their lives.

At times I have kept quiet about my illness because I was ashamed of what Lyme has taken from me, including my inability to work at a “normal” job for almost 5 years now.  I felt scared and unsure what people what think of me when they knew I had Lyme.  Honestly, I felt downright embarrassed and humiliated, I mourned my former life.  I missed having the ability to go, go, go all day like the energizer bunny and get up the next day and do it all over again.  I missed working, having a purpose and feeling like a productive member of society.

I really feel like I have come to peace with these feelings much better now.  Although I have to remind myself each day to not look back and to only look forward.  I think it is completely normal for anyone suffering with a chronic illness to feel this way.  This doesn’t mean we are feeling sorry for ourselves (even though sometimes that can be hard) but we are coming to grips with our new selves and our new lives.  Sure, I miss parts of my old life but in so many ways, I love my new life.  I love the new experiences.

I never really knew who I was until I got sick.  I struggled for a long time and just did what I felt I should do, not what I felt in my heart.  This illness has given me the strength and courage to become my true self.  I feel proud of myself for the first time in a very long time.  I needed an eye opener and Lyme is what I got!  I am excited to see where my new life takes me and more than ever, I truly live in the moment.

I have made some wonderful new friends and crossed paths with Lymies who have each taught me something very valuable in their own unique ways.  I have learned that life is full of experiences and lessons for all of us to learn.  We are not alone.  Everyone has their crosses to bear.  You pick yourself up, kick off your feet and keep moving.

Thank you to those who have stood by me.  You believed in my when I didn’t believe in myself.  You never let me give up hope.  You lifted me up when I was down in the dumps.  I don’t know if I would be in the good place that I am here today without your love and support.  You constantly pushed me in the right direction even if you felt you didn’t know how to do so.

At times, I got plain sick of talking, breathing, living and having Lyme.  Somedays I want to forget it even exists.  But then in my next thought I talk myself out of those notions because if my personal journey has the possibility of helping even one other person out there then that would bring me the most joy of all.  At times I have thought about forgetting about this website but then I “wake up” and forge ahead with even more devotion and strength.  I am following my heart and my gut and they have both led me to create this website.

Update: In November 2011 I made the decision to go back to school.  I am studying to receive my Registered Holistic Nutritionist Diploma.  I am beyond excited to turn my many years of experience going through this Lyme journey into a new career and passion of mine!  I tuned into my gut instinct and I now realize that it has been leading me into Holistic Nutrition for many years now.  Although finally the timing was right and my health, although not in an ideal place just yet, has been kind enough to lead me into my studies.

There is no greater passion and joy of mine than the feeling that overcomes me in helping people achieve healing and wellness on their Lyme journey.  So, my dream is to intertwine my Lyme knowledge with my Nutrition knowledge to ideally help others achieve hope and health during their Lyme journey.  I will constantly strive to bring this new knowledge, information and experience to Prairie Lymelight Network.  After many years of feeling lost and unsure of where Lyme was leading me, I finally feel I may have found my place in this world.

Even though some days are beyond challenging I refuse to give in to my unrelenting symptoms!  The maze of brain fog and mental fatigue and exhaustion are hard to bear at times.  I have days where I tell myself I am crazy for pursuing a new education and in turn a new career.  But that persistant voice in my head keeps reminding me that I can’t sit and let this disease control my life anymore.  Enough is enough!  This is the time to move forward and pursue my new life!  I think this new stepping stone in my journey will give me the additional strength and perseverance to move past the burden Lyme has become in my life.  I feel absolutely honoured and blessed to have reached this milestone on my journey.

I promise to keep up with Prairie Lymelight as much as I possibly can during the next year.  My studies will take up the majority of my time but I will always set time aside to update the website with any information that I find valuable and enlightening.  Even though I wish I had all the time in the world to devote to Prairie Lymelight my study schedule, full time treatment protocol and many of life’s responsibilities can take away some of that precious time.  For that I apologize but will do my absolute best to manage my time and the website.  Lyme will always be an incredibly huge priority in my life!

I sincerely welcome and invite everyone to Prairie Lymelight!  If you suspect, have been recently infected / diagnosed or are living with chronic Lyme, there is something here for everyone.  I believe there are valuable resources contained in the site even for those not familiar with Lyme.  Many of these resources can be a guide to help you attain better health and happiness.  Please check out the Tips to Prevent Lyme category as ticks are out full force this season!  This section is fully stocked to help you and your loved ones prevent this illness and spread the good word.

Please feel free to leave me a comment in the Guestbook!  I love reading your comments and would totally appreciate any feedback on the website!  Or, send me an email anytime and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as I can.  Thank you!

Oh, and please “LIKE” Prairie Lymelight Network’s NEW page on Facebook! Your support means the world to me!

As always, I wish you all the best in love, health and happiness!  May the new spring days bring joy to your heart!

It is the most undesirable of situations that brings forth our innermost character and strength.  ~Unknown

Sincerely,

Jackie Lohman