I’m not a complicated person – I’m not fussy. I’m not difficult.
I’m not a brat.
I’m not picky.
Not at all. Take me to a football game, I’m happy. Take me to a boring play, I’m happy.
But my body isn’t. My body is complicated. My body is fussy. My body is difficult. My body is a brat. My body is picky. Very picky.
And it’s pretty frustrating when all I really wanna do is enjoy a new Manhattan restaurant or go hiking up the Rocky Mountains.
But it’s not that easy.
Because, well I’m just pretty gosh darn complicated.
I have hypothyroidism.
I have Leaky Gut.
I have heavy metal toxicity.
I have an IGA deficiency.
I have candida.
I am allergic to gluten, dairy, soy, corn and numerous fruits as well as certain oils and sugar.
And now, the latest…
Last month, I was told…
I have Lyme Disease.
My life is complicated. That’s simply all I can say at this point.
Dating is hard.
Explaining myself is hard.
Trying to figure out why my body hates me is hard.
But I just stay positive and keep my head up high.
Because there’s a reason for all of this…
Yes, I believe there is a reason that I am going through all of this. There is a reason for why my body is complicated. There’s a reason I spend 10 hours of my day just taking care of myself like an infant – detoxing, healing, soothing and nurturing my body – when all it does is react back to me in a negative way.
I’m honestly hoping this is the end of my diagnoses. I am hoping my treatment for Lyme Disease makes everything better. I am praying that I will soon be normal. Feel normal.
To be able to go out to eat. To be able to go out on a nice date. To be able to worry a lot less about how I’m going to feel the rest of the day, the week, the month, the year.
I’m really hoping.
And I don’t ask for a lot.
Truly, I don’t.
But I’m asking Santa for an early Christmas gift this year.
Because I just can’t take another diagnosis.
I’ve received countless letters from all of you these past few years and I love having all of you in my life. I’m sharing all of this with you today because I care deeply for each of you – even though I don’t know many of you personally. I care about your health and your well-being and that’s why I started this website – to help you and to heal myself on this journey that I have been on the past 7 years.
I’ve learned so much and I’ve healed many parts of my body. But the healing has just begun.
I’ve started treatment for my Lyme Disease and I’m not giving up. I’m eager to learn about this disease, to heal myself and to help all of you and everyone else who’s bodies are attacking them. I’ve learned that my Lyme Disease has been in my body for almost 10 years and has been trapped within the biofilm of my stomach. I find it amazing that I never had a tick bite, a rash or a bulls-eye yet years later, this disease has wreaked havoc on my body in so many ways.
This is all very new to me and I am on a biofilm protocol to kill off the pathogens and heal once and for all. Seems like the reason I haven’t completely healed 100% is because of this biofilm and how it’s not letting me heal. I will be sharing my Lyme and biofilm treatment with all of you soon but for right now I will not be sharing any information and I hope you understand that. I welcome your comments but please know I will not be sharing information until I learn more so that I can help all of you. I will be creating pages on my website dedicated to biofilm and Lyme to help others who need the support.
In the past, my Lyme Disease results were all NEGATIVE. I’ve learned that it takes going to the best of the best labs in the country and spending thousands of dollars out of pocket to get a true diagnosis. Just another sad issue about our whole medical profession. Just to think that this Lyme Disease is what was causing me to be sick all along and now after 10 years of suffering… I’m just learning this.
The saddest part is that I had to figure this all out on my own. No doctors ever suspected this or found this until I researched and dug and dug and dug for more information and learned what tests I should be doing.
I haven’t yet shared this Lyme Disease diagnosis with anyone other than my parents, my sister and two of my best friends but I felt that I need to tell all of you. Because I am an honest person. I’m not complicated. I’m not fussy. I’m not picky. I’m just me.
Little me. Healing and living.
And never, ever giving up.
Ever.
xox
Ingredients
- 2 brown rice cakes
- 3 Tbsp. well-stirred creamy almond butter
- 1/4 tsp. coconut flakes
- 2 Tbsp. dried cranberries
- 1 Tbsp. finely chopped fresh basil
- 2 tsp. pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 tsp. fresh lemon zest
Instructions
-
Lay rice cakes on a flat surface. Spread almond butter onto each rice cake using a knife. Top with remaining ingredients.
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Serve immediately.
Yumm those rice cake treats look delicious!
I also have candida, a gluten and dairy intolerance, can not eat yeast, have leaky gut and metal toxicity! It is refreshing (and unfortunate) to know I am not alone and someone else is going through this, and understands what I’m going through too. It gets easier each week, I promise! Once my body started feeling better it got easier to eliminate and not crave certain foods anymore.
This recipe looks great, I am going to try it tomorrow. I eat brown rice cakes and almond butter for breakfast most days, including this morning! Unsweetened coconut and pumpkin seeds are two things on my list I should be eating! so thank you for this, I am always looking for new and creative recipe ideas to keep my diet from getting to boring!
I hope I win the Crave baking mixes giveaway, I would love to try a new mix!
Thank you so much Jessica!
Thank you for being so honest and sharing your story. Best wishes to you on your journey to better health and happiness! Keep your chin up, focus on all the good!
Thank you for being so open and candid. Your attitude and way of life is inspiring. You make the most of your diagnosis and are not letting it get you down, you are finding ways to spread the word and make things better for others too. This recipe of Coconut Cranberry Almond Butter Rice Cakes looks like a delicious and very healthy.
So sorry to hear about this latest diagnosis. I don’t know how you do it. You are very strong.
Sad face…I was so sorry to hear about your Lyme Disease. That truly sucks…although I don’t have to tell you that. I’m glad they finally found it and am glad that you are finally receiving treatment.
I too tested negative for Lyme Disease just last summer. I actually did have the bull’s eye on my leg although I don’t recall being bitten by a tick. When I sought medical treatment I wasn’t sure if it was a tick or spider bite. So no treatment was given, the rash went away but I’ve had mystery illnesses that have kept Lyme way at the back of my mind. I’m seeing the rheumatologist this week to check out what could be RA, Lupus, ankylosing spondylitis….or now, bringing Lyme back into my mind.
So many times I have wondered like you, why does my body hate me! I have no answer either. But my body is complicated too. I have elevated rheumatoid factor and elevated blood sugar although I’m not diabetic. And I have a vitamin D deficiency. All that in addition to severe lactose intolerance, gluten allergy, seasonal/environmental allergies and those pesky hives that won’t resolve no matter what!! Yet some people still want to tell me it’s all in my head because my labs are “within normal limits”. At least my primary doc listens to me and is willing to let me see specialists. The endocrinologist suggested I see a rheumatologist and she also suggested I could see the alternative medicine specialists. (Yes, my insurance actually has alternative medicine docs which surprised me to say the least). I don’t run the “hallmark” fevers that supposedly come with RA, Lupus or Lyme disease…but I always run a core body temp a degree or two lower than the traditional 98.6. Do you find that too?
Your suggestion of Digest Gold has been a good one and has helped my tummy lots. Thanks for that.
As for you, I have been praying for your well being and will continue to do so. Like you so often tell me, keep your head up and keep fighting. Your website and blog have helped me so much and I really do appreciate all the things you do. I’ve spent hours on research so I can’t imagine what it has taken to get all the data you have for your website. Thank you. Like you, I will keep my head up and keep fighting. I just want to know what I’m fighting! For now I’ll be praying the treatments for your Lyme Disease work and you will be back to your spunky self. I’ll keep checking for your updates but thanks for being a voice and an advocate!
Awe thanks Lisa; hugs to you! xooxox
wow, that is quite a story to read. But despite everything, you are still living life to its fullest and making the most of it. Keep up the positive attitude. You are strong!!
Thanks Janice!
a great story to read. thank you for opening up!
Thank you for sharing your story! I originally came here to enter to win the gluten free items because my grandma is gluten free and would love them, but I also got to read your story and it was beautiful! You are beautiful.
Awe thanks Allison!
Hi Aime,
I found your site about a month ago and have really enjoyed it. I don’t usually comment on things, but for this it’s a must. I completely understand your frustrations, and I just want to tell you that what you are doing for others, especially myself, is huge!! This post has just turned on a “lightbulb” for me. I was diagnosed with Lyme 15 years ago. I was treated with heavy antibiotics, and was told that was it, and that since it’s viral it would always show up in my blood work…end of story. Since that time, I have been suffering with fatigue, and extreme digestive issues. I was finally told it was IBS about two years ago. I struggle every minute of every day trying to “manage” it, and just wanting to be normal. I long to be able to take my kids on vacation, and be able to have a meal with them without stress. It’s sooo hard!
Anyway, I never thought, and no one ever told me that it could all be related to the Lyme Disease, so I thank you so much for sharing your experiences. You’ve just armed me with information on how to help me heal, and that is priceless.
Keep doing what you’re doing, you’re definitely not alone. I’m a believer in karma, and the good you are doing for others like me will all come back to you. It really will.
Stay strong:)
Sincerely,
Meg
Thank you Meg; good luck!!!
Stay strong and your recipes are delish!
You take what life has given you and provide an outlook that others are inspired by. Keep being strong and sharing a healthy lifestyle.
Staying positive is key and you seem to know it.
Good luck and thank you for sharing your battle!
You are such an inspiration!!
Thank you Karen!
I think you’re made this way to INSPIRE others with your strength and courage to make changes!!
Awe; thanks Judy!
I’m really sorry to hear about your lyme disease! I haven’t been tested but I feel like there are other things wrong with me besides the gluten thing. You’re an inspiration to all of us for never giving up!
Thank you for sharing. You have no idea how reading your words lifted my spirits this morning.
Thank YOU Tracy!!
Amie I love you. I am sorry that you’ve been so let down by the medical system. But I am so happy that you’ve finally got a diagnosis. And I’m so happy that you believe so much in yourself – if only everyone did! Thank you for sharing this with us. Your honesty and willingness to share is going to help so many people. Soon you’ll be able to celebrate with cocktails on a rooftop in Manhattan – count me in. xoxoxo
Thanks Maggie; love you and miss you!!!!
Hi Aimee,
I am so sorry to hear that you have yet another diagnosis, but you are right when you say you just have to stay positive! The work you do is so beneficial and inspirational.
I work for a doctor who is a chiropractor and nutritionist and does A LOT of work with lyme disease patients. He follows Dr. Klinghardt and uses applied kinesiology to test patients, and one product he always recommends to help get rid of the biofilm is Cistus Tea.
Let me know if you have any questions- I’m happy to help!
Melissa
Amie,
Thank you for living out-loud – it is a light to so many…. There is always some meaning in our experiences and having gratitude will get you to your intended place every time…
It sounds like your are incredibly strong person with great support… So stay the course and keep the road. I have spent the last 5 years supporting my daughter in her struggle to find the answers to her bodies incredible complexity and it turned out to be Lyme Disease. Just this past week she stepped out of the house and has started back to work part time… It is a huge gift that has come with much much work, huge cost and never-ending commitment to keep looking…
This has been a very very long and at times incredibly frustrating journey for all of us. And while the journey is not over, I know by that by never giving up my daughter has found what she needs at the present time to step forward – AS YOU WILL – and diminish the limitations that this diagnosis has had on your life.l!!!!
We benefited from many many professionals – some of whom have been suggested in previous comments. However, it was not until we addressed the Biofilm issue and she crafted a diet that has started to starve the biofilm that her healing truly lunged forward.
We are on this planet to help support other’s journey so by all means please feel free to contact us.
Awe; thank you Andrea. Love this and thank you so much. So great to hear you had great results from numerous doctors and Biofilm!!!