Jana’s Story
Jana, Lyme Warrior, Advocate, Author, and Blogger at UnitedbyLyme
“Yes, I lost hair.
I, too, went to bed fearing I wouldn’t wake up tomorrow.
And, yes, I also felt unseen and unheard.
You are not Alone.
I am a Lyme warrior, five years into remission, with a calling to help others to feel a little less scared and alone.
Like so many, I went undiagnosed and misdiagnosed for twenty plus years. The one diagnosis that stuck was the incurable, chronic illness, fibromyalgia. Over the next twenty years, my symptoms spread to nearly every organ system in my body. Once I started treatment, uncertainty and isolation wrapped itself around me.
I was surrounded by a sea of unknowns, drifting in a boat of despondency. Pain, fear, and suffering bounced off my boat like a thousand tiny rain drops, saturating every waking moment. Uncertainty swallowed me up. I wondered constantly if anyone else was experiencing what I was experiencing.
Five years into remission, reflecting upon what makes treating Lyme disease so scary, I realize it’s the uncertainty. The not knowing. The silence and loneliness that envelop this disease.
That is why I share my experiences, creating a safe space for all you amazing warriors. It is why I wrote my memoir and why I continue to share about what I went through on my blog. I want to hold the hand of as many Lyme patients as I can, wrap you all in a warm blanket and run a hot bath for you. Keep fighting my friends. You can reach remission!”
Stories reflect the experiences and perspectives of the individuals featured and are not intended as medical advice.
