Lyme Disease Support Group

Hi all,

I am considering starting a journal.

Looking for healthy/ positive ways of " journalisming "

I only have documented date of tick removal due to an email to a customer that I found it in me while workung on her project. Happy for that!

I did journal a little when asked to by dr.

Again when my heart seems affected, during holster test.

About 4 months ago, eye pain started. Vision diminished a few weeks ago, literally overnight.

I do not want to focus on my symptoms. I am concerned that I will feel worse by focusing on the negatives.

I tend to be optimistic to the extreme yet, I clearly have ignored serious symptoms.

Just currently feeling weird, getting little accomplished and procrastinating with everything.

I pulse my doxy and start again on 23rd.

I do like to write and compose music for fun/ relaxation. I actually wrote some lyrics to the melody from the movie " Juno".

Anyway, thanks in advance for any tips!

Belle

I journal... I have a few different ones.

I have one for symptoms and medical stuff. It's basically a day planner that has a bunch of lists and notes. I don't really write anything, if that makes sense.

I have a journal to write when I need to vent, etc.

I have a journal that I use weekly to do writing (journal-like, poetry, or a quote I found) and collaging.

I find art really helpful on this journey.

I guess it depends on what you want the journal for A symptoms log is a good idea.

But if you are looking for something that is more of an outlet / healing process - then i'd go with something that gives you room to create when you feel like it.

I have some art "therapy" books and some writing ones geared toward chronic illness and chronic pain - I use those now and then - will use a prompt.

I also have daily affirmations for chronic illness that I read and sometimes write on if it brings something up.

sorry, feel like I'm rambling

blessings,

purple

Hi Belle,

I journal in two ways -

First, for years I've kept a prayer journal. Basically, I write to God. It helps focus my thoughts, as they tend to race. And, it's cool to see answers to prayer.

The other way is logging my symptoms. I totally understand the fear of focusing on the symptoms.

I only started doing this a couple of months ago. I am like you - ignoring stuff and being overly optimistic. I would go to the dr. and present myself in not too bad of a light, and this led to just dealing with symptoms for a LONG time.

I hate logging my symptoms, but I now make myself do it every day. Then, before an appt., I go through and kind of make notes of the big ones (for me, if I'm not experiencing it the day of the appt., I'd probably fail to bring it up).

So, that's been really helpful. And it's actually cool to see symptoms go away! Happy journaling to you

Wow, thank you.

Each of your posts brought such inner peace, like I felt a connection with each individual.

I have written poetry to God, lyrics for melodies not yet composed and symptoms on occasion on my Calender when something weird happens.

Since I've greatly had to reduce my work as a medical massage therapist, I work more on my 2 nd business that is fiber art.

its blending wool, silk and other fibers for other fiber artists and I also spin yarn and thread. I have a small online Etsy shop. Also vend at festivals twice a year. Push, push!

Music and art is definitely therapeutic for me. Granted there is stress from custom or even regular orders when I have no energy to really work. But I push thru.

As bad as this has been, I have grown and in ways many do not understand, am thankful I got Lyme sometimed.

In just over a yr since bite, my life has drastically changed.

There is a sense of urgency to glean as much as possible, so that I can share with others.

I never thought of having several methods of journaling but it makes perfect sense.

As far as the movie' juno'.... i do not think it is terribly old. Its about a teen girl that gets pregnant.

Jennifer Garner is one of the actresses but not the pregnant girl.

I love the movie. It makes me laugh and cry, having gone thru the infertility myself for years and the ups and downs of adopting.

I am a Christian and most that I know that are would not watch it because there is a bit of sex ( not graphic ) and there is language. But I rather hear the F word and the like, than see violence. So, this is just my opinion.

The song title is " anyone else but you ". It is played on the guitar as a duet. I forced myself to learn the few chords and then also on my daughter's harp. Not even going to attempt to it on my violin!

The song can be viewed on youtube.

I forget what I did with my version- i got bit by a tick!

Now I am looking forward to journaling.

Infact, I am even inspired to include ways to journal in my daughter's home education this year!

Hugs, Blessings and Healing

Belle

While not really journaling, I realized I needed to keep track of symptoms and treatments. So . . . I made a chart - with a square for each day of the month going across the top of the page and Symptoms (e.g. fatigue, brain fog, eyes burning, etc.) at the top of the list going down the side and then Treamtents (vitamins, homeopathy, vitamins, ND appt, acupuncture appt., exercise, detox bath, etc.) down the side, following symptoms. (long paper - not standard size)

I thought I would see immediate cause/effect of treatments/symptoms, but . . I didn't. BUT it has really helped me track things I"m doing, appts, etc.

I can see that while "this week" I may not have improved, over the past 6 months I have. Helps keep me encouraged!!!!

And . . .as time has gone along, my symptoms list is drastically reduced - nice!

PM with me with your email address if you'd like for me to send you my chart as a sample.