We’re home!!! (But you probably knew that, didn’t you?) After an exhausting and emotional week, tearful goodbyes, and a hard drive home, we made it back to our house in Edmonton. I was full of mixed emotions, as I had grown attached to where we were living, and had come to realise that a house is just a house; it is when your family and friends are in it that it is given life and becomes a home. And with friends in both places, no matter where we went, we seemed to be leaving a home behind. 

It came as a great and cheerful surprise to find this upon our arrival:

Our entire yard decorated by friends, including a welcome home sign and multiple messages of love stuck to our front door. It was a wonderful sight, and gave us the boost of energy and excitement we needed to unpack what was needed before collapsing into bed.

Matt had to go back to work for a 12 day shift only a few days after returning, with much of our house still in boxes. It took me a good week or so of sleeping full days to recover from our travels, and as always, when the fatigue and pain hit hard, so did the depression and anxiety. I knew I should be happy to finally be home. But I wasn’t just yet. I was too sick to see anyone, and with Matt away I was feeling quite lonely and miserable.

 After recovering that first week, the sun came out, and I had a few good days. One I can surely say was the best I have had in two years! I was up and out of bed all day; playing outside with Jack, taking him grocery shopping with my mom; picnicking in the backyard at dinner time, and bathing my little boy all by myself. It was amazing to spend so much time with my son, outside in the gorgeous weather, clear in mind and free of pain. A sign that my Herx reactions are finally being punctuated with not just good, but great days; days which should slowly increase in quality and quantity with each cycle as my health continues to improve.

My insomnia has also begun letting up in phases. Instead of constantly fighting to get to bed before 5am, I have had several days of falling asleep before 10pm. I used this to my advantage last week to rest up as much as possible to prepare for our godson’s baptism last weekend. The combination of rest and prayer did the trick, as I was able to get up early to attend, be a reader, and participate as his godmother without issue. I also made it to the luncheon afterwards, visiting with the crowd, helping with Jack, and rocking the new baby. Besides being short of breath for most of the day, my fatigue and pain were manageable, and I really, really enjoyed myself!! It was a beautiful day.

We have been “busy” by our current standards as we have begun catching up with more than just family members by now. I have to be careful to limit my activity so as not to overdo it. Every Wednesday we have to make the hour-long drive to get my dressing changed, and then turn around and make the drive all the way back. Being in the car for that long is hard on my body (sitting up in general still is), and since we are still trying to figure out the “kinks” (i.e. help the nurses put their theory into practice), it has taken up to 2 hours for the appointment itself! Between that and the car rides, it makes for a dreadful, exhausting day. I will say this though: I am very grateful for their willing spirits and desire to help, and equally grateful for the nurses down south who very expertly executed and explained the steps of a port access to me time after time. Because of the two, I am able to help teach with confidence (and without stepping on anybody’s toes) the understanding I have of my body and the devices we are working with; even if the downside is getting multiple piercings in one afternoon, as they try to figure things out here. I am a bit of a guinea pig in this regard, but as most Lyme patients can attest: if it means paving an easier way (or a way at all) for future patients, then I’m game. I have a very dear friend who blessed me with that attitude-- despite his discomfort, helping me have a better chance was his priority. And it is an honour to carry that attitude forward.

So—we are home. We are finally settled. We are relishing some much-needed hugs and visits, and we are moving forward in treatment and with progress. Our newest acquisition: an oxygen circulator. Next up: buying our own hospital pump (the one we are using now is borrowed from our neighbour-friend, as the hospital loner down there couldn’t very well be checked out all the way back in Edmonton)! Our house is looking more and more like a hospital with each new purchase, it seems. But boy am I grateful that it isn’t a hospital; that we were blessed by others to afford these much-needed items; and that I am getting the treatment that I so desperately need. We are blessed beyond belief, and will never stop being grateful for the means and the prayers that feed our fight; every last bit is an extra push toward the finish line.

God bless you!

Kate

“...and for all things give thanks; this is the will of 

God for you in Christ Jesus.” 

 1 Thessalonians 5:18

“And all of us, with our unveiled faces like mirrors reflecting the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the image that we reflect in brighter and brighter glory; this is the working of the Lord...” 

 2 Corinthians 3:18