Hi and welcome to my ~*Bl0g*~ (says every millennial white girl). Look I know what you’re thinking: ‘ugh another one,’ ‘her too?,’ ‘literally why.’ Hey all of those are super valid reactions. In fact, I’ve had them myself so vehemently I’ve been putting this off for quite a long time. But life is just too entertaining now for me to postpone this any longer. So please, sit back and join me as we use word vomit, occasional humor, and pictures of my dog as semi-healthy coping mechanisms to really just soak in all of life’sTREATS.
An intro post seems overwhelming so I’m not gonna try to explain anything that’s led me to this point. We’re just gonna jump right in to Sunday, July 28. My best friends blog naggings have reached an all time high and I’m feeling like a brand new person with exceptionally clean hair so let’s dive in. For the past 2 months I’ve been showering using my left arm only because my right has a tube in it (a PICC if you’d like to get proper) so you can imagine the ~lack of~ thoroughness in my hair washing. I should also note that showering is often so exhausting, I have to take a break and sit down halfway through. Sometimes I just quit. Cause who really needs to be clean when your weekly schedule looks like this?
- Monday: hyperbaric oxygen chamber, IV antibiotics, nap
- Tuesday: hyperbaric oxygen chamber, IV antibiotics, acupuncture, nap
- Wednesday: hyperbaric oxygen chamber, IV antibiotics, lymph drainage appointment, nap
- Thursday: hyperbaric oxygen chamber, IV antibiotics, some other appointment because there is always one, nap
- Friday: IV antibiotics, nap
Fridays are just a real vacation. I downgrade to only one appointment giving me ample time to do other things. The options are endless. My naps take anywhere from 2-4 hours, but what ever will I do with the rest of this free time!! Sometimes the choices overwhelm me. Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, or Hulu? TV show or movie? Something I’ve seen or something new?
At this point you’re probably thinking to yourself, ‘wtf, those aren’t choices.’ And for your normal person brain, they probably aren’t. But at this time I have been graced with a special brain.
I’m healing from Lyme Disease, and it’s infiltrated every part of my body and mind.
Let me share a little anecdote to give you some insight. Before my mom washed my hair in the kitchen sink for me because I only have full use of one arm, I went online to try to pick out a new bed frame. Mind you I’ve been trying to do this for 3 weeks, but every time I try I get so overwhelmed I have a meltdown because sometimes I can’t read words right anymore and sometimes my eyes get really blurry and I can’t see right anymore, and then I just get really tired and have to go back to bed. After 3 weeks you can imagine my determination. I’M A 22 YEAR OLD LADY WITH A BACHELORS OF SCIENCE AND I WANNA PICK OUT MY VERY OWN BIG GIRL BED ALL BY MYSELF!!!! So today was the day. I was gonna do it.
About 3 hours into the process, I was getting somewhere. Made some progress, found things I liked. But then I thought to myself ‘better google what this word means just to make sure its the right thing.’ Okay. It wasn’t. Quickly hurtling towards a come apart, I did what anyone would do. I yelled “MOMMY!!” (Oh yeah, I live at home with my parents because I’m not able care of myself and manage all my treatments right now. Pride? Dignity? Don’t know them!) My mom did what moms do best, talked me down. Explained what a platform bed is and how that’s different than a panel bed and how a panel bed is really kinda just a different name for a standard bed and how those need box springs, but not actually all of them do and some of them you can just have slats because mattresses are different now and come in boxes. Or something.
Long story short. If I was to order what I thought I needed after trying to read about things I would have a mattress on the floor surrounded by a bed frame. Essentially a grown up crib. But would that really be so bad??
Maybe not. But I think it would be better if I was able to understand what I actually needed and get that for myself. The reality is, I can’t do that right now. I can’t wash my hair by myself, or pick out a bed frame by myself like the bad bitch that is buried somewhere deep inside my sick body.
And ya know what, that is okay!!!! (I aggressively tell myself in attempt to convince myself it is)
All of that to say…
Life is a little shambly.
So I truly hope you’ll join me as I begin to document the (often humorous) realities of my ‘doctor strongly suggested’ gap year.
Sure, I’m taking a break between undergrad and Physical Therapy school to heal from Lyme Disease, but my hope for this little corner of the internet is not that it becomes yet another place solely identified in illness. Life is more than the treats it throws at you, I’m more than Lyme, and this ~*Bl0g*~ is more than another millennial girl writing about her life.
Please consider this the most genuine invitation to join me. (Read: I desperately need some more internet friends because I cannot leave my house very often.)
Until Next Whine,
Christina
Stephanie Kaminski
30 Jul 2019Hi Christina, I am Amy Garrett’s frond Stephanie. I think I went and looked at the rental house for you. I live just south of Nashville and if you EVER need anything just call or text me and I’ll come running. I love a girl with a good sense of humor! Few better !
creburn
30 Jul 2019Hi Stephanie! Yes, we got the house and my roommates are all moved in! I hope to move soon 🙂 Thank you so much and I’ll be sure to reach out once I’m there!
Rodrigo Marques
2 Aug 2019Hello ma’am! I’m interested in sciences. What was your major area of graduation?
Does it scare you? The disease and the treatment?
Are you getting better?
creburn
9 Aug 2019Hi! I was a Health and Human Sciences major, so a lot of my fellow classmates are going on to Medical School, nursing school, some are personal trainers, some are going into public health. There’s a lot you can do!
I’m slowly getting better, it just takes a lot of time and patience 🙂
Rodrigo Marques
25 Aug 2019Cool! I hear there are lots of opportunities for physical therapysts. And it must be rewarding helping others getting better.
Carlos
30 Jul 2019Nice first post! Wasn’t sure about making a comment here but you asked desperately for more internet friends so who am I to deny that! 😀
Keep it up and get well soon
creburn
30 Jul 2019Hi Carlos! Happy you reached out and nice to meet you!
marilyn blumer
30 Jul 2019christina, i love your blog! so thankful you have the energy and desire to share with others this journey you are traveling. take care and keep your spirits up.
creburn
30 Jul 2019Thank you so much Marilyn!
Malinda
30 Jul 2019Sweet Christina, Your attitude and humor will lighten your load and light the path for others. Thinking of you precious girl. Looking for to reading more a you heal and improve with each passing day.
Malinda
creburn
30 Jul 2019Thank you Malinda 🙂
Kathy Stewart
30 Jul 2019Proud of you for blogging, Christina! Chronic, and often invisible to the outside world, illnesses have peculiar challenges often not understood by DOCTORS, much less the general population. Stepping up to educate people about what led you to your diagnosis, putting yourself out there, is a brave thing to do. Brava, indeed!
I’m certain you have heard all the suggestions of what you should/can/could do to keep your mind active, and I am not going to pile on. You know what is best for you, and I am glad you will be getting needed rest while dealing with this insidious disease.
creburn
30 Jul 2019Thanks Kathy 🙂 I can always use more help and suggestions!! I do lots of puzzles and attempt to read whenever my mind is clear
Lindsey
30 Jul 2019You. Go. Girl. If you ever need an internet friend, I think you’re exceptionally funny and have something to say that really inspires and encourages. 💕
creburn
30 Jul 2019Hi! Thanks so much! Nice to meet you 🙂
Del Clark
30 Jul 2019Funny stuff! Have you considered stand-up … I mean, lie-down comedy?! 😉
creburn
31 Jul 2019Hahah thank you!! Maybe that should be my career aspiration!
Robert
30 Jul 2019Hi Christina! If you ever need a hook up for shows to binge or a fellow college graduate to commiserate with I’m definitely here, any day, any time.
creburn
31 Jul 2019Hi, thanks so much for reading and reaching out!! Absolutely, nice to meet you!
Del Clark
31 Jul 2019Best wishes for your recovery! You have the right attitude to make it successful. 🙂
Ann Ryan
31 Jul 2019I am always thinking about you Christina and love you. Aunt Ann
Hal Garrett
2 Aug 2019WOW this is your long time best friend Haley!!! you’re popular jeez!!! hella comments you go hoe