What you don’t know can kill you. It feels a little dramatic to say that for me, it almost did  – but coming to terms with death as a 27-year-old is slightly dramatic, I suppose. And all because of a bug barely the size of a poppy seed.

When I went to ministry school in Missouri, no one told this Pacific Northwest girl to watch out for ticks. I learned about fireflies, chiggers, and massive red spiders…but not ticks. When I discovered a mysterious black dot on my arm, no one knew what it was. No one raised an eyebrow at my summer “flu.” And four years later, when the real flu knocked me flat and wouldn’t let me get back up, no one saw any connection with my ramble in the woods one Saturday afternoon in September.

Miraculously, I found the one doctor in my area (to my knowledge) who did know the vital piece of information that would likely save my life. Her hunch turned into several years of learning all the things I now needed to know to make up for the one thing I didn’t know sooner.

May is Lyme disease awareness month. It’s that glorious time of year when people start getting outdoors, enjoying creation as people ought to do. It’s just that a race of very small creatures are out for their own enjoyment as well, which can end badly for the people. The first step of Lyme disease awareness is prevention. Know where ticks are, and wear protective clothing or repellent when you walk in wooded or grassy areas. Check yourself when you get inside (don’t miss areas like your hairline or behind your ears). Check your pets too so they don’t give ticks a ride into the house. And don’t assume there’s no Lyme disease in your area – ticks infected with Lyme have been found in all fifty states and in countries all over the globe. Wherever you are, be aware – but don’t let the existence of ticks keep you cowering safely inside. Please do get out there, just be smart about it!

The other part of Lyme disease awareness is diagnosis. The stories of people who have been diagnosed with Lyme are widely varied, but one thing most have in common is that an accurate diagnosis was a painful journey of months or years. Some see ten, twenty, or fifty doctors before one finally reaches the correct conclusion. Suffering people deserve better care. Unreliable tests and ignorant medical professionals (most through no personal fault of their own) are a disservice to a growing community of men, women, and children who are facing chronic illness caused by Lyme disease. While better research and education in the medical community is essential, the greatest resources any patient can have are self-education and self-advocacy. You know your body best, and you have the right to make your healthcare team work for you. If you have been suffering with chronic illness and not getting the help you need, take action for yourself! Listen to your body, and find a health professional who will listen to you. (Hint: There’s one writing this post!)

This month, I’ll be posting more about Lyme awareness, including prevention, diagnosis, and more. Just maybe, a little bit of knowledge will save someone’s life (or at least a lot of needless pain). No one told me, but I’m telling you!

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