Update from Peggy

It has been too long since our last post on this blog – sorry for the long gap between updates. It actually feels like a small lifetime since I completed my 40th hyperbaric oxygen treatment on October 1st, but it has been less than four weeks. Suffice it to say…life was full, and I am so amazed at the faithfulness of God.

I am grateful to God for each new day. After the strict schedule of HBOT five days a week, we all kind of let go a bit to “catch our breath”. And, I have to say, I didn’t feel 100% right after the HBOT sessions, but I am steadily improving.

At the beginning of October, I went twice to my naturopath, Dr. Pomroy, and he determined that the results of the HBOT were very good. My major organs were in good shape – I had come a long way from where I had been. My Lyme appears to be in remission (praise the Lord), as the numbers are way down. I did not miss the spiritual significance of having 40 days of treatments, and what that has meant to me both spiritually and physically – God is so good.

One aspect we need to work on next is babesia, a parasite that lives with the red blood cells. Babesia is a co-infection of Lyme, that is, it is borne and transmitted by the same deer tick that transmits the burgdorferi bacteria that is responsible for Lyme. Unlike burgdorferi, babesia is a protozoa that is not killed off by high oxygen levels (so the HBOT has no impact). We were somewhat surprised to see the after-HBOT numbers for babesia so high, but the HBOT literature clearly states that it has no effect on babesia. Although babesia is not nearly as insidious or potent as Lyme disease, it does produce similar symptoms: fatigue, malaise, myalgia, arthralgia, chills, and fever. Also, unlike Lyme, a body with a healthy immune system can fight off infections of babesia on its own, with no other treatment needed. People who have a more severe case of babesiosis are usually treated with two antibiotics, though the treatments are frequently ineffective or have side effects. Of course, we are praying that my improved immune system will overcome the babesia without drug intervention.

Right after the last HBOT, I was extremely fatigued most of the time, longing for one more nap each day. I was always so tired. It also took time for my vision to improve. I drove for the first time on October 21st. I am so grateful to have dear friends to drive David and me to school events. It brought tears to my eyes to be able to go to our school’s park day on October 2nd, the first time in many weeks that I could attend. I was overwhelmed by being in public, though. All the activity and commotion was hard to take in.

My right heel has had quite a bit of pain recently – it seems to be plantar fasciitis, something that started bothering me in May. I need exercise to build up my body after all of my illness, but this condition makes it hard to walk, setting off foot, calf, knee, and hip irritation. As a whole, though, everything is getting better and better, slowly but surely. Dr. Pomroy has recommended some supplements to aid in the boosting of my immune system and to allow my body to combat the babesia.

I have experienced some skin irritations, rashes, and flu-like symptoms – much like the Herx reactions I have had with Lyme. Indeed, these still may be Herx reactions as a result of the HBOT treatments (remember they may occur for up to a month after HBOT), or they may be the “cleansing” side effects of the supplements.

In His Providence, God has seen fit to keep Larry home – without a job or income – for this whole time. There is no way I can express the love and unconditional care and affection he has given to me, without ever complaining or giving up.

In fact, the love and care that our whole family has provided – pulling us together with all the household needs – has been a blessing. We have had prayer, support, and love from our family and friends from the west coast to the east coast of the US, and also from Europe, Japan, and the Philippines. The love and provision we have experienced over the past two years has overwhelmed us with gratitude, refreshing our spirits and encouraging us with each new day. We are humbled to have been given so many blessings.

We grew in confidence, knowing that God would provide and give us wisdom on a daily basis. As each batch of 10 HBOT treatments needed to be pre-paid, financial provision came our way. We are so thankful to all who supported us. We had some tax refund money and another unexpected repayment of a debt as seed money, and the rest of the funds needed for the 40 HBOT sessions were donated.

One special aspect of our Lyme journey was to have my dear friend Karol along the way. The Lord provided for both of us to start hyperbaric treatments at about the same time. There is something so special about having someone alongside of you on the journey. She has an amazing calm that she shares so freely. We could cry, rejoice, and compare our experiences along this new and uncharted path.

I also met amazing people who needed HBOT for treatment of everything from Lyme to Autism (I met some remarkable autistic children and their parents) – all on the journey to better health. We shared a common bond in our experience.

I have felt the presence of God throughout this whole experience. I felt Him walk with me with each new step of faith. Under the wings of an eagle – in the shelter of the Most High – secure in His peaceful embrace. I look forward, with renewed health and strength, to the future God has prepared for us. I also look forward to His provision for a job for Larry, and for all the loose ends to miraculously come together.

While I am at it, let me add that we rejoice with our daughter, Jen, and her husband Ryan, as they pursue their own journey for provision of job and home in Oregon. We will miss them terribly, but we are at peace knowing who directs their path.

Thank you all for your support and love, especially this past four months through my HBOT treatments. I appreciate the awesome team of dedicated, hard-working friends we made at Hyperbaric Centers of California.

With gratitude and love,
Peggy ~ 2008, a year of new beginnings!

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

- Rom 8:18 (NIV)

Finished with HBOT!

Well, today Peg completed her 40th and final HBOT dive. When we started this process in July, it seemed like such a huge mountain to climb, but now we stand at the summit and rejoice!

We are very encouraged that this has been a beneficial and successful treatment for Peggy. All indications are that her Lyme disease was aggressively attacked (as evidenced by the Herx reactions that she experienced, and by the gradual diminishing of those reactions). Let me be very clear…we do not put our trust in HBOT; we put our trust in God. The HBOT is beneficial in killing off Lyme, but Peg’s total healing comes from God.

And I do mean ‘total’ healing. Peg has been very strong throughout this entire process, even in the face of adversity, and she has stayed strong through some difficult physical reactions, emotional ups and downs, and some spiritual trials. I believe she has gained strength from God to help sustain her through this journey. In fact, several people who Peg has talked to have commented how much Peg has changed for the better over the last few months. Not only is she feeling better mentally and physically, but she is calmer and more mature spiritually.

So, where do we go from here? Even though Peg has finished her HBOT, we expect a period of time where her body needs to ‘catch up’. Many Lyme patients experience some Herx reactions up to a month after the HBOT sessions have ended, so we are braced for that. Also, we expect it will take some time for Peg’s body to build up strength in the areas that Lyme has weakened. We know of no blood tests that will reliably confirm that Lyme has been eradicated, but Peg has an appointment on Friday with her naturopathic doctor to get a ‘post-HBOT’ assessment in order to gauge what immediate effect HBOT has had. After that, she will begin to build up her body with rest, vitamins, and exercise … and then we will watch and wait.

We will post periodic updates to keep you informed about Peg’s progress and to report her success. Thank you all for your prayers, encouragement, meals, and support (including the invaluable financial support), without which Peg would not have been able to accomplish this milestone.

God bless you,
Larry and Peggy Owens

…let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you. For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

- Psalm 5:11-12 (NIV)