This is a picture of what started it all. It is a deer tick.
July 4th I was sitting on my mom's lap out on the front porch in my pajamas when my mom realized that I had two big red spots on my leg. She immediately thought of the bulls eye rash which is a sign of Lyme disease.(When she was just 11 years old she had gotten Lyme Disease, so she knew a lot about it.) She got her smartphone out and Googled it. Yup, she was pretty sure that I had Lyme disease. I was kind of scared! I had heard of her stories when she had it and it had just seemed like a story to me. But then it became a reality. She and my dad scheduled a doctors appointment. Some doctors don't treat Lyme long enough, or just plain don't believe in it. My parents were nervous that my doctor would be like that. But my doctor was great! He took a look at my rashes and immediately prescribed 6 weeks of antibiotics. My mom was nervous that that wouldn't be enough, so she asked for two months. He agreed. Now that my family and I thought about it we realized that I had been tired for about a year. We had thought that I just wasn't getting enough sleep. And the summer before my dad would have to go to work before I woke up, and I was really sad about that. So I had asked him to wake me up and say goodbye before he left. That was definitely not normal for me! We had no idea how this was all connected to Lyme and what we were getting into! You can learn more about my experience in my next blog.
It is a wonderful thing that you are doing. Your blog will help many other families, I am certain of that. I am so sad that you have had to go through all of this, but it says you have great character when you want to tell your story to help others.
Reply
Hannah
1/2/2013 04:17:59 am
Thanks Shirley, I hope it does help others!
Reply
Lois Kreiser
1/2/2013 08:03:22 am
Hannah, you and I have not met each other, but I know your mother and your grandparents, Roland and Darlene. I have been following your journey and say a prayer for you and your sister at times. I remember when your mother had Lyme disease and many prayers were said for her too. You are brave and you also are in good hands with your parents, doctor and God. Your blog is great and will help others. Blessings.
Reply
Hannah
1/2/2013 10:33:21 am
(Mom wants to know if you are Lois Kreider? with a "d"?) Thanks Lois!
Reply
Lois Kreider
1/2/2013 10:21:13 pm
Hi Hannah, tell your mother that I am Lois Seitz Kreider, a distant cousin. We live here in Harrisonburg, maybe I will get to meet you sometime. Enjoy your day.
Hi Hannah, what a great idea to start a blog about your experience with Lyme. I'm really sorry that you have to go through it, but I'm proud of you for wanting to tell other people about it. By the way, congratulations on winning the spelling bee at your school!
Reply
Hannah
1/2/2013 10:40:03 am
Thanks Kathy!
Reply
Grandma Beck
1/2/2013 10:25:18 am
Dearest Hannah
I wish you didn't experience Lyme Disease but your blog is a great way to help others in their Lyme journey. You write well in telling your story and I'm eager to hear more. It was so good to see you this week and to know you continue to feel better. I admire the strength and courage you have in facing the treatment and how it affects you. Love you, Grandma Beck
Reply
Hannah
1/2/2013 10:38:48 am
Love you too! Thank you so much! I'm really excited about starting a blog, and telling my story!
Reply
Jane Ellen
1/3/2013 02:01:22 am
Dear Hannah,
What a journey! You are very courageous to share your experience. I hope your writing will also be helpful for you as you look back and then toward the future. I wish you all the best and a health-filled 2013
Reply
Lois Beck
1/3/2013 09:05:50 am
Reply
Asha Beck
1/3/2013 09:21:57 am
How well I remember this Hannah! I'm glad that we could go through this together. This blog is such a good idea, and I can't wait to read more! :)
Reply
Hannah
1/4/2013 06:20:20 am
Don't worry, you are a big part in my story (being my sister), and I will definitely put you in! Thanks for being a great sister!:)
Reply
Maddie Greenawalt
1/3/2013 09:35:19 am
this is really cool Hannah!! Awesome idea!!
Reply
Jamie Erlemeier
1/3/2013 09:39:53 am
Hey Hannah!
I met your Mom at a Lyme Disease support group in harrisonburg and I also see the same specialist as you! I am a JMU student and I think it is great that you are sharing your story; I'd love to meet you someday!
Reply
Hannah
1/4/2013 06:16:03 am
Thanks Jamie! I would love to meet you too!
Reply
Ella
1/3/2013 10:38:42 am
Hi Hannah! I love your blog! I am glad your sharing your story with others. The blog is a great idea!
Reply
Maggie
1/4/2013 10:03:14 am
Hey Hannah!
It is such a great thing that you started a blog about "your Lyme journey"!! I love it so far and can't wait to read more!! :)
Reply
Sarah
1/6/2013 07:39:58 am
Hey Hannah! I thinks it's such a cool idea to have this blog! It's great that you can share your story like this! :)
Reply
Linda Green
1/6/2013 11:32:36 am
You rock, Hannah! I, too, met your Mom at a Lyme support group meeting. Every night I pray for you and Asha. Thanks for writing your blog; it has helped me already! Congrats on the spelling bee!
Reply
carole persinger
1/7/2013 04:30:07 am
Hi Hannah,
I really enjoyed reading your blog! Bravo to you for being courageous and concerned enough to share your story. I'm sure this will help others who may have Lyme. Can't wait to read more.