Niagara Falls will go GREEN!!!

Things are really happening to get awareness about Lyme Disease on the map! I have been waiting and holding on to announce both the events we're working on, but news is starting to filter out about the one already approved.

So, for now ---- here's a graphic to announce the Green Niagara Falls! I've blurred out the second one since we don't have formal approval yet, but wait a while and we should have them both to talk about! Sounds cryptic? Sorry about that, it is really not intentional.

On Friday, May 17, the day before the Brampton Awareness Day Walk, Niagara Falls will be lit in green for 45 minutes in total!

Exciting? You bet it is!!!

We are talking about arranging a bus to go down from Brampton to Niagara Falls on Friday, May 17, in order to be there for the green-flowing Falls. We can take pictures, make noise, hand out brochures and  make sure people there get the message about Lyme Disease.

Together with various other people like Melisa from the LDAO, people are working on applications and a press release about the other icon to be lit in green. Lots of red tape there! We are not allowed to publish anything until formal approval was given. But as soon as the expected "yes" is given, we'l let you know!

BUS FROM BRAMPTON TO NIAGARA FALLS
I've been on the phone trying to arrange for a bus, but no luck so far. Brampton Transit doesn't go to Niagara Falls and GO buses don't charter their buses. Anyone have any ideas? We need to be there, but not be too tired to come back and be ready for the Brampton Walk the next day!! See the post about the Bus to the Falls as arranged, please.


NIAGARA FALLS WEBCAM
For those who are unable to go to Niagara Falls to see them be lit green on May 17th, they can view it on the live free Niagara Falls webcam.  It may be comforting to see. (Thanks for reminding me to add the link, Doris!) We'll probably gather and meet at the Horseshoe or Canadian Falls at first, but then spread out towards the American Falls. It all depends on how many people show up wearing green and carrying glo-sticks! CLICK: Niagara Falls Webcam 

TIME DIFFERENCE
What would be the time difference where you are? We are working in Toronto, Canada time. Here is the Worldclock website for you to check what the time will be for you on May 17, 2013, when it is time for the Falls to go green! WorldClock Link


MY "HOLIDAY" WITHOUT ANTIBIOTICS
It has now been almost three weeks since I've gone off the antibiotics. Things went well the first week, and for half the second week! Then symptoms started coming back. They were mostly just little ones and I ignored them.

On Saturday, while out with friends, all was fine for some hours and then the stiff neck and raised shoulders thing, the creaks and tweaks started again. I ignored it. It got worse. Finally I felt like the bottom guy in a totem pole so asked to be brought home to get warm in bed.

Sunday morning dawned bright and beautiful. Hubby and I shared some scones with strawberry jam and cream for breakfast and discussed various plans. Next moment it felt like I got bitten by a tsetse fly and had to sleep immediately. Couldn't even keep my eyes open properly until back in bed where the sleep came down like in the early days of the onset of this disease. I was so cold even under the duvets and sheets, wearing long flannel pjs, that the fluffy bed socks from South Africa had to come out as well. Thanks, Ma!

Various aches and pains are returning. A dull ache behind the left eye is noticeable. But nothing like what it used to be and I haven't lost my sight or seen the return of the eye infection.

I'm ignoring these blimps as much as possible! There are things to do, plans to make, arrangements to get sorted out and the body needs a break from the constant onslaught of antibiotics. It might be the Bab-2 drops getting all hot and heavy. Who knows?

CURRENT PROTOCOL
I'm also still using the Auum oil, which I'm convinced protected my brain from being completely ravaged by this disease (read testimonial), Oil of Oregano, Evening Primrose oil, Cats Claw, Resveratrol not from grapes, Vit. C from rosehips, Olive Leaf extract and inject myself with Vit B three times a week. Two or three days ago I also went back on Plaquenil since I was prescribed that anyway for Rheumatoid Arthritis in 2005. It is part of the treatment for Lyme Disease but I wanted to see what would happen without all the pharmaceuticals. Joint pains are becoming worse and hubby, who sorts out my pills, felt the Plaquenil should be brought back into the mix.
If I can hold out until May 8, 2013, without a major relapse, I can carefully consider myself in Remission and hope that gives hope to others.

AN ASIDE
While writing this post, I had a phone call from the credit card people. Seems my card was compromised and used to buy over $500 of shoes from Australia, books all over the place, a Bell order was put in ... so now the card gets cancelled and a whole drama happens. Always something fun to happen somewhere to keep us on our toes!

Trying to keep up with happenings

So many things have happened since we came back after seeing Dr. McS! I'll try to update or recap. But keep reading -- there's big stirrings going on!

Essie holding on to my hand

Rather than talking about my Lyme, it is much more fun to be occupied by one of our three cats, who missed us very much while we were away. Here's Essie, who thinks she owns me, taking hold of my hand with both paws to try and drag it off the laptop. She thinks she has the only right to be on top of my lap and not some machine!

Several people asked what the previous post meant, with all the names of the medications and such. "Are you still sick?" was the most popular question. I guess so, even though I don't want to admit it, haha!

In short, I'm still being treated for Lyme and the co-infections of Babesia and Bartonella, plus a protozoa infection. Some of the medications we can't get in Canada, so had to fill the prescription while in the States. Some capsules would have to be made at a compounding pharmacy - and thanks to the advice and emails of caring Lymies about how to do this!

I don't have the new protocol's prescriptions yet. Money and time, you know. I'm continuing on some of the meds I still have from the previous protocol, plus the supplements, of course: Cat's Claw, Grapefruit seed extract, Vit C from rosehips, Vit. B, Auum oil, Oregano oil, Evening Primrose Oil, Resveratrol, Olive Leaf - er, there are more, I'm sure. [Blog post about the previous protocol.]

For the most part, I'm feeling good, other than the exhaustion and lack of energy. All the drama and damage are going on inside the body and I only notice at the fit of my jeans how the state of things might be, but nobody else might even notice.

But, enough of that!

Lots of exciting things happening on the Lyme front, which is much more fun to talk about.

Many of you know that May is Lyme Awareness Month, and this year I've tried to get proclamations to that effect from several cities and towns. Trying to keep the momentum going for next year!

Reporting back on events:

• After the meeting with David Tilson, MP, there is now a petition in his office to ask for a National Lyme Strategy. He has a picture that will go in his regular newsletter and he promised to read and report on signatures collected in the House. 
• Sylvia Jones, MPP, has written a letter to Deb Matthews, Ontario's Health Minister, to ask what is being done for Lyme disease patients. 
• Following up after the delegation to the Region, I've sent a piece to be read on November 19 in Ottawa. Waiting for feedback to work on the wording, etc. 
• National Lyme & Associated Diseases Society of Canada was created as an umbrella to have a combination of the various efforts all over Canada. A domain name was registered, but there is no website up yet. This will be a charitable organization. 
  
  
  
  
  BREAKING NEWS
  
  
  The big news is the momentum behind a Worldwide effort to bring Lyme disease awareness in May 2013! I've started a page on Facebook to gather some helpers to the effort in Canada. 

  

  Front page of the Facebook page

  Currently, there is just a Facebook page. The graphic with the tick was designed by my friend Fiona (her Fiinix website). I think you should be able to view the page even without being a member of Facebook. Admins will be added as towns and cities in Canada join in to plan for May 2013! Also take a look at the original page where the idea started: Sweden 
  So far, I think there are 16 countries behind the idea: Poland, France, Ireland, Australia and more that I can't remember right now. They all have Facebook pages, though, and are linked on the Sweden page. 
  
  
  I'm in discussion with the city of Brampton to talk about a Lyme Awareness event in May 2013, and have talked to a Chamber of Commerce representative today. All sorts of other ideas going on, but I'm sure I've bored you enough by now --- if you're even still reading! Oh yes, if all goes well, there might be really exciting big news tomorrow, depending on when the reply comes through.
  
  
  Future dates already booked:
  • Nov 19 and 20 - Information table at the Annual Ontario Federation of Agriculture (OFA) Convention
  • Nov. 20 - I'll talk to a Trefoil Guild
  • Date to be announced - garden club
  • Date to be announced - Rotary club