Lyme Update #15 *In Sickness and In Health*

Money can create stress in the strongest marriages. With Chronic Lyme the topic of money was an issue in our house. How does $39,000 for 7-9 months of treatment impact retirement plans? I considered not spending the money. That was a heated issue, I saw our retirement go down the drain, it wasn’t a good feeling.

The timeframe to wellness is 2-3 years. Based on mathematics, the cost will double or more. The financial side of Lyme is worth talking about. The cost of getting well hits the bank account hard. We pay $5,000-$6,000 a month which doesn’t include prescriptions………..

We fly to DC every four weeks to see doctor. The trips are often for an increase in IV antibiotics. If you have a bad reaction, it’s better to have a doctor in the next room.

Our insurance did not approve Lyme treatment which leaves us footing the bill. Insurance doesn’t pay for supplements but does cover all prescriptions including Heparin. My doctor currently is using antibiotics to address co-infections caused by Lyme. Another important key to health, is reducing inflammation in the body. There’s a war raging inside.

Every Sunday my husband changes the bandage protecting the catheter. It takes an hour to change.

He had to change his work schedule to administer IV Therapy. He gives my IV treatments, keep supplies inventoried, cooking, laundry, grocery shopping . Most everything is difficult to eat on bad ulcer days. After being on antibiotics for months, it takes a toll on your existing system. My esophagus doesn’t close and creates an ulcer. Those are the days I eat mashed potatoes.

I have antibiotic treatments, three days a week in AM and PM. The other days is Lactose treatment once a day.

Here’s an example of the friction when we don’t agree on my health.

My husband of 14 years said “you need to work out to improve strength.” The comment gave me whiplash! My antenna went up, we don’t fight or scream, just raise our voices and go to separate offices. I’m years away from good health, you want me to exercise? I laughed so hard, then foul language rolled off my tongue. The next words, are you crazy!!!!!!!

I have severe balance problems, walking forward and falling, walking straight then from side to side, if close to ground, I’m going down. I’ve had several bad falls lately. My husband turned in time to witness me slam into furniture last week. He thinks I need to use a cane in-house, I imagine being impaled while falling downstairs.

The cost is high but so is dying.

Xx  M