Nicole, this makes me want to cry. Majorly. Thank you so much for being here and for sharing your story. We are so beyond lucky to have this community to connect with. You are right, earth is the biggest healer. So beyond grateful. Xo <3

I made a shift- a big one- changed my world and it did help. Changes from your heart and gut do help. In a world where i prefer things stable, i know we are evolving. It was not clear to me at the time, i was so very hidden in a toxic relationship and in so very much pain. But I took the courage, after yearss of thinking and knowing, i listened to my beautiful self.

I find earth helps me, surrounding myself with fresh grass or mountains, and despite our pain, part of self healing will be found in movement. #Movementculture, even when it hurts, is essential — Slow walks, or easy hikes, hydration; lakes, ocean waves and sand, laying in the pool; sunlight, sunrises and sunsets. Although it hurts to move, and sometimes my depression prevents me terribly, it always has a healing effect.

I have mourned my former self, i would say in the total 6 years that I’ve been sick, the first 2 i definitely morned [her] but it did get easier. Of course I still do, but I’m also ok because she is still there. More complicated yes but still me, still beautiful. At first i was fighting, I was on a panicked search for answers, lots of research, trying anything and everything. But then after what i felt within my body was enough time trying and i sat with the realization that there isn’t a cure. I get upset when close family, friends, and colleagues suggest there is a cure and that i just don’t know it. Because there is no known cure, treatment right now is focused on prevention, prophylaxis, and symptom management. And of course there is the chance of them abating spontaneously.

Thank you for creating a community that didn’t exist when i first became ill. I searched and searched for someone that could relate and could not find a thing. Thank you for sharing publicly your story.

hi!! i have written about her a lot — check out my lyme diagnosis post under the lyme tab on my blog’s homepage. her name is dr. erica lehman, a tick borne disease specialist. 🙏🏻

thank you. 😭 love you back. means everything.

we are so resilient. i am completely with you. thank you sarina, this means more than you know. 💗 we are healing!

i hope you feel better. you are so strong!

Thank you, thank you. Sooo much love. XO

Elizabeth, thank you so much. And YES we are the same person. Inside and out. Love love love you. And we will enjoy every moment of our weddings no matter what!