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Here is my story...Chantelle
It all started when I was 16 years old. My life revolved around the outdoors as this was my passion. I was very active. Highly involved in sports, hiked, back-packed, etc. This quickly came to an end when I came home from my summer job as a Junior Forest Ranger. I had been involved in a butterfly study in Waterton National Park, as this is where I come into contact with the Lyme disease infection.
I developed a rash on my left leg. With no understanding of the infection itself, I thought it was simply a "bad bug bite". Early that fall (2004) I became extremely sick. My leg swelled and became very hot. My foot swelled to the size of a baseball and wouldn't even fit into a shoe. My mom took me to the hospital where they simply sent me home with some over the counter cream, which in the end did nothing. After a week or so the swelling had receded, but my leg and foot was very still itchy. Life went on.
Months after I noticed my body becoming very weak. I had no energy, my legs were becoming numb and headaches all the time. It felt as if my mind wanted to be active but my body just wouldn't let me. My mom once again took me to my family doctor. My family doctor referred me to specialized doctors. I was pushed through the medical system like no other. At 16 years old I was told I had life threatening blood clots, and had multiple ultra sounds to find them. With the scare of blood clots, my active life was over. I could I play sports with the fear of a clot going to my heart and dying. I was given pills and sent home.
Still months after, symptoms became worse. I had no energy. I got up, went to school, came and slept. Numbness spread to my lower back and arms. My physical strength dramatically depleted. Still, doctors had no answers. I was bumped from one hospital to the next. After the scare of blood clots, I was diagnosed with chronic migraines, and yes more meds. My family didn't have medical insurance, so this quickly became very expensive. After months on this medication symptoms still didn't go away. They worsened. I quickly became a puzzle that no one could put together.
From here I was referred to a neurologist. This is when MS was mentioned. At this time I was 17 years old and scared. To be diagnosed with MS at 17 years old is like a death sentence. My life turned into nothing. I lived in hospitals and on medication that was doing nothing for me.
After graduating highschool I became enrolled in Lakelands Wildlife and Fisheries Conservation Program. Not even a month after enrollment I bacame diagnosed with MS. My life came crashing down before me. Everything I had worked so hard for was gone. I could I become a wildlife biologist and work from a wheelchair? College life became unbearable. I couldn't walk up the stairs to my dorm room, I couldn't sleep without extreme spasms in my legs but most of all I couldn't keep food down. I was taking steroids which were doing nothing for me and going down hill fast.
My mom never gave up. She didn't want to believe that I have something to devastating at such a young age. She talked to everyone and researched like crazy. This is when she found out about Lyme Disease. My symptoms were so similar. After mentioning this to doctors, they look at us like we were stupid. We realized that if we were going to do something we had to do it on our own. My mom ordered the Igenex tick test form California. My test came back either negative or positive. I had 3 of the 5 strands. From here I needed a clinical diagnose. My mom contacted Dr. Murakami. He agreed to see me. We flew to Vancouver and drove to Hope. The best day in my life, July 9/06 I had become diagnosed with Lyme Disease. My life was turned upside down, I was given just that little ray of sunshine. I now had an illness that was treatable and would not live my life in a wheelchair.
From today Oct 23/06, I have been on meds for a month and a bit, and haven't felt better. I missed out on three years of my life and finally have it back. Its amanzing!!!
Although my legs are still very numb, headaches everyday, very weak and still have troubles walking I have never felt better. And without Dr. Murakami and his dedication and devotion to Lyme I would not be where I am today. I thank him each and everyday!!!!!!
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