On Friday, Peg completed her 37th dive…just 3 more to go! She took a definite turn for the better last week, with more energy and a clearer head. She still has some aches and pains (especially her heel), though, and she still tires out easily. It will take time for her to regain her endurance.
There has been some question as to whether the initially-prescribed 40 HBOT treatments will be enough. The response to HBOT is unique to each individual Lyme patient, though studies have shown good results with 40 treatments. Based on Peg’s reaction (regular Herx reactions earlier on, and a lessening of reactions recently), we believe that 40 treatments is enough for now. Besides, that’s all that we have money for.
The goal, of course, is for Peg to be Lyme-free. We don’t really expect her to be “cured”, but we expect that the Lyme disease has been hit so hard from the HBOT that Peg’s Lyme will be in remission – indefinitely, by God’s grace. We know from other people’s experiences that after HBOT, it is not unreasonable to expect her Lyme to be in remission or fully controlled by her immune system for years. If, after some time, the Lyme symptoms come back, then it will be time to do some more HBOT.
Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray. In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.
- Psalm 5:1-3 (NIV)
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Feeling better...
Today Peg had a good HBOT session, and she also felt pretty good after the treatment. In fact, this past weekend was Peg’s best weekend since she started HBOT. She had lots of energy, and she needed to hold back and do less than she thought she could do, just in case it turned out to be too much. In the end, she led the family project to make homemade enchiladas for Sunday dinner, and she never really got too exhausted.
Peg's hips were hurting earlier today, but with less intensity than they have hurt in the past, and she sometimes gets sleepy during the day. Overall, though, Peg has felt better more consistently the last few days, and she has been thinking clearly, as well.
We are encouraged that the HBOT is doing what it is supposed to do, which is to kill off the Lyme and to reduce it’s debilitating effects.
Peg's hips were hurting earlier today, but with less intensity than they have hurt in the past, and she sometimes gets sleepy during the day. Overall, though, Peg has felt better more consistently the last few days, and she has been thinking clearly, as well.
We are encouraged that the HBOT is doing what it is supposed to do, which is to kill off the Lyme and to reduce it’s debilitating effects.
Friday, September 19, 2008
One more week complete!
Peg wrapped up a successful HBOT week, completing her 32nd treatment today. During today’s session, Peg experienced pain in her hips and legs. She was very weak when she finished the dive, and she needed to rest a bit before the drive home. Over the last couple of days, she has had more pain in her hips, legs, and heels. She also was feeling emotional and weepy last night and this morning. We believe that all of these symptoms are just more of the Herx reactions, and generally the issues are moving down through her body. (You may recall that earlier, Peg had reactions that affected her head and moved down her arms.)
It appears that the HBOT is working, and more of the Lyme bacteria are getting killed off during each session. Also it appears that the earlier treatments killed off the more accessible or vulnerable Lyme, and now the treatments are killing off the Lyme that is more deeply embedded in Peg’s joint and deep muscle tissues.
Peg is staying strong, and her spirits are good. We still haven’t decided if 40 treatments will be enough, but that is still the plan. If so, then there are only 8 more HBOT sessions to go!
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
- Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
It appears that the HBOT is working, and more of the Lyme bacteria are getting killed off during each session. Also it appears that the earlier treatments killed off the more accessible or vulnerable Lyme, and now the treatments are killing off the Lyme that is more deeply embedded in Peg’s joint and deep muscle tissues.
Peg is staying strong, and her spirits are good. We still haven’t decided if 40 treatments will be enough, but that is still the plan. If so, then there are only 8 more HBOT sessions to go!
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
- Psalm 118:24 (NIV)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Number 30!
Today Peg completed her 30th HBOT session. That's three-quarters of the way thru the 40 treatments that were prescribed.
Peg has been particularly tired the last few days, but she is generally feeling pretty good, with some bursts of energy at times during the day. There are definitely some Herx reactions, but they are not too strong at this point. Peg also has noticed that her vision has improved somewhat.
The actual HBOT sessions have been going really well. Peg's blood pressure is consistently good during the day, and it is only slightly elevated when she is getting ready for the HBOT. She comes out of the treatments in good spirits, though a little tired.
We are looking forward to wrapping up the treatments in just two more weeks! (Caveat: as we mentioned in an earlier post, we will make an assessment in about a week to see if more than 40 treatments are needed in Peg's case.) It seemed like such a long journey at the start, but now we are on the home stretch.
As in the days of Nehemiah, we realize "that this work had been done with the help of our God." (Neh. 6:16b, NIV)
Peg has been particularly tired the last few days, but she is generally feeling pretty good, with some bursts of energy at times during the day. There are definitely some Herx reactions, but they are not too strong at this point. Peg also has noticed that her vision has improved somewhat.
The actual HBOT sessions have been going really well. Peg's blood pressure is consistently good during the day, and it is only slightly elevated when she is getting ready for the HBOT. She comes out of the treatments in good spirits, though a little tired.
We are looking forward to wrapping up the treatments in just two more weeks! (Caveat: as we mentioned in an earlier post, we will make an assessment in about a week to see if more than 40 treatments are needed in Peg's case.) It seemed like such a long journey at the start, but now we are on the home stretch.
As in the days of Nehemiah, we realize "that this work had been done with the help of our God." (Neh. 6:16b, NIV)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Wishful thinking...
Oops...I guess it was wishful thinking, but in my last post I should have said that Peg has completed 27 HBOT sessions. Sorry about that.
Sunday, September 14, 2008
Persevering...
Peg completed 37 (oops - make that 27) HBOT sessions on Friday. The actual sessions have been going fine, though later she is experiencing some of the usual Herx reactions with regularity. (She did feel a slight reaction partway through Friday’s treatment.) She is feeling a little sick, and she has been tired every day. Even so, Peg says she has been looking forward to going into the chamber, as she knows it will eventually bring healing from the Lyme disease.
Again, I can report that, even during this time of financial struggling, we have received gifts enough for nearly all 40 of the planned HBOT treatments. Thanks to all of you who have given generously to help us through this journey. As mentioned in an earlier post, we will soon be able to decide if 40 treatments are enough in Peg’s case (we hope 40 will be enough).
Please continue to pray with us that God will complete His healing in Peg.
We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
- Rom. 5:2b-5 (NIV)
Again, I can report that, even during this time of financial struggling, we have received gifts enough for nearly all 40 of the planned HBOT treatments. Thanks to all of you who have given generously to help us through this journey. As mentioned in an earlier post, we will soon be able to decide if 40 treatments are enough in Peg’s case (we hope 40 will be enough).
Please continue to pray with us that God will complete His healing in Peg.
We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.
- Rom. 5:2b-5 (NIV)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
This is the air I breathe...
Peg still wasn't able to go in the HBOT on Monday, but she did go in yesterday and today. Both sessions went well, and she has had limited reactions, though she is a bit tired this evening.
Peg reported that she felt refreshed during these recent treatments. So, we are rejoicing that she has completed 25 HBOT sessions!
Friday, September 5, 2008
...and bump, bump, bump
Today was another "no-go" for Peg's HBOT because her blood pressure was somewhat elevated again. Peg was in good spirits in spite of the disappointment of driving out and getting ready for the dive, just to have to turn around and go home.
At this point, we're not exactly sure what may be causing the elevated levels, as Peg's BP has been holding pretty steady for the last several weeks. We will be monitoring her BP over the weekend and try again on Monday.
At this point, we're not exactly sure what may be causing the elevated levels, as Peg's BP has been holding pretty steady for the last several weeks. We will be monitoring her BP over the weekend and try again on Monday.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
A speedbump along the way...
Today, Peg was not able to go into the chamber because her blood pressure was elevated. We're not quite sure why this issue came up now, after 23 treatments, but we're hoping and praying that it is just a temporary glitch in the plan.
We also discussed with Mike, the Hyperbaric Center director, about how to know when Peg will be done with treatments. As every person is different, we will be watching closely for the next few weeks (watching if the Herx reactions diminish, how Peg is feeling, etc.), and we will also need to consult Peg's doctors to see if 40 treatments will suffice, or if any more are needed.
We also discussed with Mike, the Hyperbaric Center director, about how to know when Peg will be done with treatments. As every person is different, we will be watching closely for the next few weeks (watching if the Herx reactions diminish, how Peg is feeling, etc.), and we will also need to consult Peg's doctors to see if 40 treatments will suffice, or if any more are needed.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Follow the bouncing ball...
Since last Friday’s HBOT, Peg has experienced a lot of ups and downs. On Saturday, she felt well enough to do some gardening work in the back yard. Afterwards, she was tired, but generally felt good, even with the extra exertion. On Sunday, she felt up to putting together our Sunday dinner, and then we had a restful afternoon as several families from our Life Group came over to swim and bar-b-cue, and everyone pitched in to help with the details.
So far, this week’s treatments have been mixed experiences. On Monday and Tuesday, Peg gave it a try to drive herself. The driving part went fine, but she said that during Monday’s dive she experienced some Herx reactions and a lot of hot flashes (as that is another “benefit” of being at this place in life). She also felt some reactions later in the evening – pain in her hips and one heel, and the head pressure she sometimes gets. At one point, she said the back of her head went numb, which frightened her for a minute until it subsided.
Tuesday’s dive went a little better, but she had to work hard to keep from being overwhelmed by tears at her half-way break. She still had reactions in the evening (hips, heel, legs, and eyesight), but she felt she was “chugging along”. Peg woke up this morning feeling heavy and tired, though.
The folks at the hyperbaric center changed up the protocol a bit for today’s dive. They followed the training pattern for scuba divers: 20 minutes on, then 5 minutes off oxygen (with the hood off), then 20 minutes on, then 5 minutes off, then 20 minutes on, and they also increased the oxygen feed pressure a bit. The net result was a better dive for Peg – she didn’t feel sick at all in the chamber, and she felt like she was breathing fresh, mountain air. We’ll see how things proceed with this new protocol. In the mean time, this evening’s reactions seem to be pretty mild, as well.
We have some very good news to report. As you may be aware, with me being out of work, we have been struggling to come up with the funds for Peg’s HBOT treatments and the gasoline cost for the daily drive. Well, this week we received some gifts and pledges toward Peg’s treatments from some of our dear friends and our church, as well as a gift from a kind couple across the country that we have never even met! So, our financial situation may be unraveling at the seams, but at least we can just about see our way clear to finish Peg’s HBOT without incurring any more debt. PTL!
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
- IS 40:27-31 (NIV)
So far, this week’s treatments have been mixed experiences. On Monday and Tuesday, Peg gave it a try to drive herself. The driving part went fine, but she said that during Monday’s dive she experienced some Herx reactions and a lot of hot flashes (as that is another “benefit” of being at this place in life). She also felt some reactions later in the evening – pain in her hips and one heel, and the head pressure she sometimes gets. At one point, she said the back of her head went numb, which frightened her for a minute until it subsided.
Tuesday’s dive went a little better, but she had to work hard to keep from being overwhelmed by tears at her half-way break. She still had reactions in the evening (hips, heel, legs, and eyesight), but she felt she was “chugging along”. Peg woke up this morning feeling heavy and tired, though.
The folks at the hyperbaric center changed up the protocol a bit for today’s dive. They followed the training pattern for scuba divers: 20 minutes on, then 5 minutes off oxygen (with the hood off), then 20 minutes on, then 5 minutes off, then 20 minutes on, and they also increased the oxygen feed pressure a bit. The net result was a better dive for Peg – she didn’t feel sick at all in the chamber, and she felt like she was breathing fresh, mountain air. We’ll see how things proceed with this new protocol. In the mean time, this evening’s reactions seem to be pretty mild, as well.
We have some very good news to report. As you may be aware, with me being out of work, we have been struggling to come up with the funds for Peg’s HBOT treatments and the gasoline cost for the daily drive. Well, this week we received some gifts and pledges toward Peg’s treatments from some of our dear friends and our church, as well as a gift from a kind couple across the country that we have never even met! So, our financial situation may be unraveling at the seams, but at least we can just about see our way clear to finish Peg’s HBOT without incurring any more debt. PTL!
Why do you say, O Jacob, and complain, O Israel, "My way is hidden from the LORD; my cause is disregarded by my God"? Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.
He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
- IS 40:27-31 (NIV)
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