Christine's Story of Healing Lyme Disease

I was 9 years old when I was bit by a tick, but it wasn’t until I was 29 that I got the diagnosis of Lyme Disease. 

I had multiple health issues when I was child, ranging from mono to yeast overgrowth issues. I was gluten sensitive, and I struggled to hold down food until I eliminated gluten out of my diet. There were various issues that would pop up, and when you looked at them one by one it all appeared normal. So I focused on treating each problem as it arose as a one off experience. 

Then at the age of 27, I had a miscarriage. As the doctors were monitoring my hCG levels (pregnancy hormone) in my blood, they noticed something odd. After a miscarriage the hormone levels are supposed to decline, eventually going back to zero. What they noticed is that the hCG hormone in my blood was trickling down much slower than normal, and then began to rise. It was a red flag. They did an ultrasound and found a tumor. It confirmed a cancer diagnosis. Shortly after I began the chemo process. I was still grieving the loss of my child, and then suddenly I was thrust into a surreal situation getting chemotherapy in a room full of sick or dying patients. I went from expecting to be a mother, to fighting for my health and wellness. 

As I was getting my chemo treatment I began to notice that all around me was misinformation or lack of education about nutrition and toxins in our environment and foods. I made a decision that I was going to turn this situation into my purpose. I began making natural skin care products as a first step into holistic wellness. I began health coaching, and spoke at corporate wellness events. Then a year after my cancer diagnosis, I ended up in the hospital with meningitis. I thought it was odd that I was young and healthy, yet was in the hospital yet again. I spoke with my infectious disease doctor to ask if this could be Lyme disease, since in my various hikes with my dog, I had pulled ticks out of her. She was dissausive about this possibility, and it took a year to finally find a doctor that ended up testing me for Lyme. 

By the time I got the diagnosis, I was completely fatigued, struggling to get through my daily tasks. I kept trying to adjust to my symptoms as my new normal, and was in denial about how bad things had really become. When the tests came back positive for Lyme, I still struggled to accept the diagnosis. I had always been a person that pushed through mental and physical difficulties, and I lacked the support that validated the reality of the situation. When I came to terms with it, I felt a sense of relief. I decided to move to California so I could undergo treatment and adjust my lifestyle to fully support healing. 

For the next 4 years, I focused on my health and recovery. Professionally, I transitioned from my role as a clinical pharmacist in a hospital setting to a more holistic setting in an integrative pharmacy which aligned more closely with my passions. I spent all of my time concentrating on ways to improve my well being. It was an immersive process, trying multiple modalities to heal myself.  It had become hard to get through the day, I was in constant pain. My whole body felt like it was weighed down. Walking to the fridge was exhausting, and it was difficult to articulate to the people in my life just how bad I was feeling physically. It also took a toll on my mental health. As someone who was a high performer, it was emotionally taxing to no longer have the energy to just “power through” my life. I had to find a way to allow myself rest and relaxation without massive guilt.

During this time of healing, I did an enormous amount of inner work on myself. I had a great team of Lyme literate practitioners to support me and also knew that true healing comes from within. I studied the works of Eckhard Tolle, Dr. Joe Dispenza, Alan Watts, Bruce Lipton, and multiple other leaders in the fields of mindfulness and using the power of your mind to heal. I used a functional medicine approach to address all areas of my life. I utilized plant medicines, I meditated, I detoxed not only physically but also mentally and emotionally as I let go of things that no longer served me in my life. I received the message from Source that I already have everything I need inside myself to heal - and truly felt how powerful my body is. I learned the importance of nature in my life as I journeyed along in my healing process.

I was able to fully recover after those 4 years and be in a state of vibrant health. As I spoke with more and more people affected by Lyme disease and tick borne illness, I realized that hardly anyone I spoke to had reached full recovery. I realized I needed to put my gifts into the universe and help others struggling as I had struggled with tick borne diseases. I have so much knowledge to give other Lymies through not only my personal experience with tick borne illnesses, but also my educational background and experience in the healthcare system, and experience as a functional medicine health coach.

Now that I was fully well, and had cleared out negative thought patterns, toxic relationships, and other blocks that were holding me back from truly healing, I started teaching others how they can do the same. I watched their healing reach new levels as they realized that there is more to healing than just the physical layer. I have since made a commitment to dedicate my professional life to helping others dealing with Lyme disease and other tick borne illnesses, break through their inner blocks so they can reach a place of true healing and get back to a place of optimal health, even when they are coming from a place of feeling hopeless.

I’ve worked with private clients, corporate clients, and spoken in front of various groups to educate others on Lyme disease and possible treatment options. I have achieved my dream of wellness - no more pain, brain fog, skin issues, or extreme fatigue. I have created Surviving Lyme – 90 Days to Navigate Your Disease and Reclaim Your Health, a series of 6 steps toward health. For more information on personalized health coaching with me, please visit my website at www.lymesupport.com.