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Viewer Mail

Thursday, May 12, 2011 2 Comments by Chronic Triathlete

Got another really nice email from a reader and fellow Lyme sufferer the other day. I’m posting it below with his permission. His success is proof that while it can be an incredible challenge to overcome, you can dig yourself out of the exercise Lyme hole with dedication and commitment to yourself.

I’ve been following your blog since finding it a year ago, shortly after my own diagnosis with tick-borne diseases. I found your site during my frantic search to find a way to maintain my military career while I fight my illnesses. You demonstrate that life does not stop just because we are sick. Following your training advice and generally inspiring example, I was able to rebuild my ability to pass the physical fitness exams. For this I thank you. I wish I had some information to share to return the favor, but at the very least, I can tell you that I am extremely grateful for how you have shown me (and many others) a way to regain some control over this wild ride.

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Viewer Mail

Wednesday, March 23, 2011 4 Comments by Chronic Triathlete

Got a great email from a reader the other day. I’m (anonymously) sharing it with you below.

I really appreciate all of the emails I get from people, but hers was especially timely and helpful. You see, even with my somewhat glass-half-full attitude about having Lyme, there are days (like today) where I really feel like shit and completely hate my fucking situation. Getting a note like this really turns things around. THANKS!

I enjoy your blog very much. I had not felt well for a very long time and had suspected lyme but my family md ignored my symptoms. When I sought the help of a LLMD… I had confirmation but scared the crap out of me. I have been to several specialist to rule out other things… blah blah.

My biggest mistake was to read all the hell stories on the web… I literally made myself worse I struggled to function in my daily life because I was convinced I was losing my marbles. Six months later and several rounds of antibiotics… I am feeling somewhat better.

Your blog was a bright shining beacon for me as I like to think if myself as an athlete… tennis primarily and started running when I first was diagnosed with lyme. I’m back to a healthy weight and increasing my workouts… in the hopes of staying healthy and continuing the pursuit of a healthy life.

Your blog has been an inspiration. No one seems certain of what illness I have… but I am approaching the treatment with the intensity with which I train and compete with my tennis and running… I take nothing for granted and nothing at face value. I question everything. I think we strive to compete harder and push our selves to prove that a diagnoses of ld doesn’t need to consume us and define our lives. THANK YOU FOR sharing you positive outlook with us all.

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Viewer Mail

Friday, September 10, 2010 1 Comment by Chronic Triathlete

As I mentioned before, I get two or three emails a week from active people with Lyme. Most are from Lyme-suspicious or newly diagnosed people. Others are from folks who are recovering, but need some advice on how to get started. And still others are from us lucky few who are athletes struggling to continue with our training through treatment.

I enjoy the fact that so many of you have found this blog helpful, but it’s also a little embarrassing at times for me to continually post my training and racing success stories. So many reading this blog are struggling and I sometimes feel that I’m sticking it in your face that I’m active, running and, to some extent, thriving all while feeling moderately awful.

Then I get a message when the one below (posted with author’s approval)…

Hi,
I want to tell you that I have been reading your site for the last year since I got Lyme Bart/anaplasmosis in July 2009. I especially enjoy the running topics because that is a big part of my life also. I too am dealing with the same pain with unexplained improvement or at least the same running times as I had before I got Lyme.

It is so hard to explain to my friends about feeling so sick but still racing so well, but I see the same thing coming from you. I am soon to be 52 and I had a mile time this year of 5:56 where before Lyme it was 6:08. I think we know what pain is and therefore got stronger. I can’t seem to do the distance, 1/2 marathon anymore, but I ran and won a 10k last week in 45:36 and my 5k time this year was a 21:16.

I ran Falmouth a decade ago so it is neat to see you doing the same race I did too.

Reading your blog has helped me through many tired painful weeks and it gave me hope for a recovery. Thank you so much for the effort you put into helping others and for sharing your running and life stories with us. Keep up the training and I will try to keep it up on my end.

Best wishes.
KL

I wanted to share this to show that there are others out there, like myself, who are continuing to try, try, try (and do well!) even while fighting this frustrating disease. If you’re having a tough day, keep this in mind. You’re not alone in your struggle.

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Viewer Mail

Friday, July 24, 2009 3 Comments by Chronic Triathlete
From the home office in Poughkeepsie

From the home office in Poughkeepsie

Sorry I haven’t posted in awhile. I’ve been really busy with work. Also, when I’m not working I’m watching the Tour de France — much to my 4.5 year old daughter’s annoyance, “Daddy! Cycling again?!” It’s eating up all my blog writing time.

It’s been an interesting and somewhat boring Tour this year. The stage planning is awkward and it’s forced all the action into the last few days.

I’m two days behind in watching so DON’T email me with comments or predictions! Lance Armstrong already spoiled stage 16 for me by posting the result on his Facebook page.

Okay… enough Tour stuff. What I really wanted to write about is this…

Today I got a very nice email from a reader…

wanted to tell you i ran the SLC 1/2 marathon..finished in 1:48…i don’t run much anymore just do gym classes for an hour a day…so i thought that was okay..
then i took a turn for the worse.

i have never been treated for coninf or even tested for that matter..so i wonder if that is why i can’t get totally better.

i love reading your blog…people say the same thing to me: how do you exercise? even my doc is confused.

it is DETERMINATION…i often thing of lance and all he broke through..those people with just the fibro symptoms of pain and fatigue..who refused to exercise just make me angry. when i have that plus the neuro stuff and still try so hard everyday to beat this through exercise.

anyway, you are a HERO…KEEP UP THE PLAN!

sincerely,
[name withheld by CT]

This email couldn’t have come at a better time. Thanks! While I am NOT a hero by any definition it is nice to know that people appreciate this blog and the effort I put into it. It’s been a particuarly tough week for me. I’ve been powering through dealing with aging/sick Grandfather, a frantic drive to Philly to see my parents because of him, a pile of freelance work, my wife’s even bigger pile of freelance work and shuttling my daughter to and from day camp. It’s been epic.

I am truly thanking Buddah for it being Friday… and for all of you who write and give me encouragement.

Have a great weekend.

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