A New Decade, a New Documented Journey #PANS #PANDAS #Lyme

Scary as it may seem (to me), I have disabled my original PANSLIFE Journey page with the intent to turn much of it into a book. I am open to all publishing options so if you have ideas, advice, contacts, inspirational words, prayers, I'm welcoming it all. 

Life has changed a lot in the last seven plus years since I began writing about PANDAS, first, then Lyme and PANS. After my son was finally diagnosed, we found that both my other child and I also had/have Lyme. Just this past week, the CDC finally admitted on its website that Lyme may be transmitted via the placenta during pregancy--a first step for them. A baby step. Take that, people who refused to believe me! And just wait for it, because more admissions will be coming, hopefully sooner rather than in another seven years.

We've been at this game, this nightmare, for ten years now and it has ebbed and flowed but has not been resolved. Lyme and PANDAS, PANS and Bartonella. Babesia. Even my older dog has had Lyme and Ehrlichia. There are a few happily-ever afters to Lyme stories, but I can't claim our own. Yet. I'm still standing (cue Elton John's song) and I'm still fighting for my kids. 

So, here's to a new decade, with new physical and mental challenges that I am selecting myself. I intend to finally complete a century--a 100 mile bicycle ride. Despite all the obstacles we've been dealt, from misunderstood illness to issues requiring an educational attorney, to financial setbacks, to disbelieving doctors and family members, to marital issues (now MUCH better), we are stronger than we once were. I am stronger than I've ever been. 

And my book. Books. I have a historical fiction picture book I need to figure out how to publish, a semi-memoir from this PANSLIFE blog (thank you to all who have long encouraged me to publish this), a fantasy novel I need to get feedback on and two more, no, three more novels that are in all different stages of being written. But I teach full time and parent two teens and bicycle and contend with my own varying levels of fatigue, so I will do what I can each day until it all gets done.

I started this website to talk--about PANDAS, about parenting, about finding my escape in bicycle rides. As the new decade begins, I will continue to talk about all of the above and I welcome you on this journey. I never expected this website to become so popular, or its sister Facebook site to have so many followers. You have helped me find some purpose to the suffering, a meaning to our experiences. Thank you for taking this journey with me, as a supporter, a listener, a person in need, a fellow traveler, or all of the above. I am grateful.