WBUR is running a series on Lyme Disease this week. It's really well done. So well done that it's hard for me to listen to. It brings up all the dark experiences that I've worked so hard to get past. Even so, I'm so pleased that people are talking about the disease, the legal
boundaries to treatment, and the other extreme hardship faced by people
who suffer from it. It's nice to think that maybe someday soon people like me will actually get treated rather than spending years feeling like they must be crazy.
While listening to the radio series this morning I was particularly struck by the story of Barbara MacLeod. She's local, a former anchor and reporter for New England Cable News. She described a moment when she was on the air, reporting on a storm from Logan Airport and she couldn't remember the word for runway. Hearing that was so affirming for me. While I think I've overcome many if not most of my symptoms, whether their caused by Lyme, Fibromyalgia, XMRV or something else entirely, the brain fog is one I can't seem to get past. I struggle with recalling words almost everyday. While I'd much rather forget words than live in excruciating pain, my recall problem causes some mild emotional trauma. I try not to let it get to me but as a high-strung college-educated East Coaster, I HATE feeling stupid more than most things. I just hope my friends and colleagues will continue to forgive me when I forget words, tasks, and, worst of all, names.
While listening to the radio series this morning I was particularly struck by the story of Barbara MacLeod. She's local, a former anchor and reporter for New England Cable News. She described a moment when she was on the air, reporting on a storm from Logan Airport and she couldn't remember the word for runway. Hearing that was so affirming for me. While I think I've overcome many if not most of my symptoms, whether their caused by Lyme, Fibromyalgia, XMRV or something else entirely, the brain fog is one I can't seem to get past. I struggle with recalling words almost everyday. While I'd much rather forget words than live in excruciating pain, my recall problem causes some mild emotional trauma. I try not to let it get to me but as a high-strung college-educated East Coaster, I HATE feeling stupid more than most things. I just hope my friends and colleagues will continue to forgive me when I forget words, tasks, and, worst of all, names.
No-L, you're awesome. Thanks for sharing about your experience with Lyme disease. I have a feeling that your perspective on it could help a lot of people.
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