A Different Dive

Today Peg finished HBOT dive #19. She described today’s dive as different from any other. As I noted earlier, she has been feeling better the last few days…still some aches and pains and some nausea, but generally the reactions are lighter than in the past, and she has been able to be a bit more active.

Last night and today, though, Peg was feeling more tired than usual, and while she was waiting for her treatment, she fell asleep for a few minutes. When she went into the chamber, she began to experience some of the Herxheimer reactions during the dive. A band of pressure across the top of her head, and muscle and joint pain. She said it was hard to stay focused and not cry or be overcome. If she were to cry during the dive, then she would need to stop the oxygen and remove her hood until she regained her composure. Yesterday and today were about the only times that Peg felt chilled in the chamber…usually it feels warm as the pressure increases. She made it through the dive OK, but after the dive, she felt sick and very exhausted. Even so, she was still smiling after it all.

I mentioned last time that Peg was having difficulty with her vision. I suggested that was due to Lyme, but Peg noted that she hasn’t had vision problems because of Lyme in the past (though many Lyme patients do). I found out today that the HBOT treatments often have a temporary effect on vision by changing the shape of the cornea a bit, and her vision is probably actually getting slightly better rather than getting worse. Of course, since she wears prescription glasses, improved vision means that things are not quite as well focused through her glasses – thus her difficulty focusing at distances. After the HBOT, her vision should return to normal.

A lot of other things have been conspiring to make life more difficult for our family, so the fact that Peg has made it nearly halfway through the HBOT is a bright spot for us. We still haven’t gathered the funds for the second half of her treatments, so please continue to pray for provision in that area.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

- James 1:2-4 (NIV)