Our Lyme Disease Story

In the Shadow of Your Wings, I Will Sing

“Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings” (Psalm 63:7, NIV).

As we awaited Michaela’s test results, I sang Nichole Nordeman’s “Gratitude” in church. In this pensive song, she expresses thankfulness to God even if He doesn’t answer her prayers. It has been the cry of my heart during these tumultuous years.

The Birth of This Book

The next day, I wrote in my prayer journal, “Heal me and Mickey completely of Lyme disease and whatever co-infections we may have. Use me and our stories to help many people—preventing them from getting Lyme disease in the first place and getting those who already have it properly treated and diagnosed.”

Later, I read How to Blog a Book by Nina Amir and penned this mission statement:

“Three goals drive me to write Never Alone: Our Journey with Lyme Disease. First, I want to help readers recognize Lyme symptoms in themselves and their loved ones. Above all, I desire to help people get diagnosed and properly treated as early as possible.

Second, I want to help stop the spread of this debilitating disease. The CDC estimates 300,000 people contract Lyme disease each year in the U.S. alone. That’s almost one in every thousand Americans every year!

Third, I want to share my story of hope. Through every trial of my life, the Lord has shown me I am never alone.”

Thankfully, though, He spares us many trials.

How Michaela Dodged the Neon Yellow Nightmare

Did Michaela Have Babesiosis, a Malaria-Like Disease?

At Michaela’s next appointment with Dr. McIntyre, we got the results of her IGeneX tests. Would she have to take the bitter-tasting, fruity-smelling, nausea-causing medicine for babesiosis?

Though there was some interpretation to the test results, they were essentially negative. Plus, Michaela was no longer having any symptoms of babesiosis. Dr. McIntyre concluded she didn’t have it and shouldn’t take the atovaquone. Hallelujah!

She instructed me to keep Michaela on the meds she had been taking for three more weeks. Then, after stopping them, “Watch for fatigue, joint pain, headaches, and trouble learning.”

Any of those symptoms could be signs the Lyme disease wasn’t really gone.

Singing in the Shadow of Your Wings

In the Shadow of Your Wings
Image by Free-Photos from Pixabay

A month or two later, I wrote an excerpt from Psalm 63 in my prayer journal:

“Because your steadfast love is better than life, my lips will praise you . . . for you have been my help, and in the shadow of your wings I will sing for joy. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.”

Then I sang another song in church, this time with my friend Lynn Blatzheim. Click here to watch us sing “Soar and here to continue reading our story!

2 Comments to “In the Shadow of Your Wings, I Will Sing”

  1. Victoria Mwanza

    God loves you and the whole family. Thank you for your service at church and I pray for God’s protection over you all.

    Our God reigns! 🙏🏾

    Reply

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