Watch - Jord, Original illustration - Sara Rocha, Chocolates -Hotel Chocolat. Photo Emma Anderson 2015.
This year I've seen so much more of Autumn than I have for a long time. Every day since the start of October I have been traveling to the clinic where I have been having treatment for Lyme disease. At the start all the leaves were green but everyday I've watched them through the passenger window of our car change from green to yellow, orange and red.
So far my treatment is going ok, I'm managing really well and feel a sense of relief to finally be on the right track and to be getting the help I need. It will take a long time to get better and I've only seen one or two tiny improvements so far - although massive to me! So I'm feeling very positive about this and what's to come over the next few years.
While the last month has been intensive and demanding on my body, I've really enjoyed my Autumn. I never expected to meet so many lovely people or to cry with laughter while hooked up to an IV infusion, but I have. Most days I would rest for the first hour in a private room and then on days I felt stronger I started joining the other patients after my rest if the clinic wasn't too busy. We talked about all sorts of things; it was surreal because I felt so normal, so understood by these people who also suffer with Lyme and chronic illnesses. The luxury of not having to explain my illness or having to deal with the sense that I'm being doubted gave me a boost in confidence. Fortunately we all get it, we all understand and there was a mutual admiration for each others' bravery in dealing with this illness. It's sad that we have found ourselves in this predicament, that the NHS is so ill-equipped at treating us that we all felt we had no other option but to embarking on private treatment.
I'm now on the next stage of treatment and I don't need to be at the clinic everyday. In fact I don't have to go for a few weeks now. It's bitter sweet to finish this intensive month, I'll miss the other patients so much, I didn't realise how much I miss social interaction. The whole experience has shown me just how isolated I have been. I'm happy though to get some much needed time to rest as well as hopefully getting out a little more to enjoy the last of Autumn.
Thank you to everyone who has donated to my Go Fund Me page, you have helped make this treatment possible. I feel so thankful for this kindness and I don't think I could ever fully express my gratitude. We've raised over £5000 so far which paid for most of the IV treatment, oxygen and medications I've needed over the last month. Without this help IV would not be an option, so thank you for helping me get the best start to my treatment.
I hope so much go get back into blogging soon, I feel so rusty as I type this but I have a few ideas that I want to share on here.
I hope you're enjoying this vibrant season as much as I have been. I won't be forgetting this one for along time.
Emma Xx
