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On this blog I write a lot about books, because I truly believe books can heal. Most of the books I highlight are about Lyme or chronic illness and fall into the health or self-help categories. These are five books that changed my life before I was ever touched by the Lyme world and they continue to be five of the most inspirational books I've ever read. One is a book of poetry, one is a memoir, one is self-help, and two are novels.  (This post contains affiliate links) 5 Books That Changed My Life: 1. The Selected Poems of Nikki Giovanni. I was first introduced to Nikki Giovanni's poetry in high school and she remains to this day my favorite poet. This collection showed me that a book of poetry can be just as influential as any novel or non-fiction book. I have sixteen poems bookmarked in my copy and whenever I need inspiration or just want to feel filled up I read one. Her poem, "And I Have You," was read at my wedding. Many years ago Ms. Giovanni appeared at a bookstore in Chicago and I didn't go. I still regret it, but I redeemed myself when I saw her speak at the Harold Washington Library on April 30th, 2011. Excerpt: "though I worship nothing (save myself) you were my savior—so be it and it was perhaps not never more or ever after but after all—once you were mine"  2. I Know this Much is True by Wally Lamb. Reading this 897 page epic was the greatest literary journey I've ever been on. I consider this my favorite book and Wally Lamb my favorite author. This book encompasses all my favorite subjects: family dynamics, mental illness, substance abuse, race relations, redemption, and love. Mr. Lamb is my biggest writing influence and if I can learn to paint a picture even half as clear as he does, I will be on my way. Excerpt: "...that the evidence of God exists in the roundness of things."  3. Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston. I don't even remember what made me pick up this book. I probably judged a book by its cover, because Their Eyes Were Watching God is one of the best titles of all time, especially when you know the context. Reading this book is like reading a novel length poem. The language and imagery has yet to be matched in any book I've read before or since. I could read it fifty more times and still get completely lost in it. Excerpt: "They seemed to be staring at the dark, but their eyes were watching God."  4. Lucky by Alice Sebold Lucky is Alice Sebold's memoir of being raped by a stranger in college and how it transformed her existence. You probably know Alice Sebold from her other bestseller The Lovely Bones. This book broke my heart for the writer, but also for all survivors. It left me angry and appalled by the complete disregard for victims' rights. People need to be aware of the retraumatization victims, like Ms. Sebold, experience through our legal system. Her nightmare occurred in the early eighties, so I can only hope that things are better today. Excerpt: "I live in a world where two truths coexist: where both hell and hope lie in the palm of my hand."  5. A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life's Purpose by Eckhart Tolle This book came to me at the exact right time in my life. I was going through a mini identity crisis and felt like I was losing myself. It seemed like everyone around me was content in their position in life and I was the one left wanting. This book taught me that my true purpose in life is not an occupation, a hobby, or a talent, it is to find a state of consciousness where I am able to live in the present moment as much as possible. Since reading this book I have made a concerted effort to not compare myself to others and to allow myself to just be in the moment, because it's the only thing that's real. Excerpt: "When you don't cover up the world with words and labels, a sense of the miraculous returns to your life"  What are the books that changed your life? "A lot of people ask me if I were shipwrecked, and could only have one book, what would it be? I always say 'How to Build a Boat'" - Stephen Wright
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Thanks to the numerous knowledgeable Lyme patients and experts, there is a great deal of information available about living with Lyme disease. I've compiled some of the best advice I've heard and consolidated it into this post. As with any other form of advice, run it through your personal filter, take what applies to you and leave the rest.  Advice for Living with Lyme Disease: 1. Many things will get better, some will get worse. For many Lyme patients just getting a diagnosis is a giant leap in the right direction. After that you will start treatment. Treatment for Lyme is like the song Opposites Attract by Paula Abdul. You take two steps forward and two steps back. Sometimes if you're lucky it's only one step back. It will be forward and back until you reach the end goal of remission. It's easy to lose heart with so many setbacks, but if you keep going forward it will pay off. 2. Write down your current symptoms and track your symptoms over time. When you've had Lyme for a long time, sometimes it's hard to remember if a symptom is new or something you've experienced before. Track your symptoms on a calendar, so you can go back and see if you were experiencing the same symptom during that season. It's time consuming, but it's been very helpful at doctor's appointments. 3. Always keep a copy of your current medications and supplements on hand. With all the changes in medications from month to month it can be hard to keep track. Keep a list of all medications and supplements in a GoogleDoc and then update it after each change. You will be asked 50 bajillion times to list your medications on forms. Because Lyme patients tend to be on so many, it's more painless to just carry an updated list and attach it to forms rather than writing them all out over and over.  4. Come up with a plan of what you will say to conventional doctors. It will catch you off guard every time you see a new doctor. What should you say? Do you tell the truth and risk being told what you have doesn't exist, or do you skirt around the subject? Some patients bring current Lyme research along with them to present to doctors, some choose not to mention it. 5. Go with your gut. You will hear a lot about how the treatment you chose is "bad." Antibiotics are terrible. Herbals aren't strong enough, etc. You need to decide what is right for you and what makes you feel better. This of your doctor as an exceptionally experienced and knowledgeable guide, but ultimately the choice is yours, because you're the one who has to live with it. 6. Let go what no longer serves you. Lyme is here to tell you something. It's here to tell you that we need to make major changes in our life. When you have Lyme you have to go through a physical and mental house cleaning. Do you need to let go of a job, a relationship, a behavior, a habit? It's time to do some deep soul searching and put yourself first for a change. Each day you will learn something new on this journey, adding up to a lot of wisdom you will be able to take with you into your future life. What's the best advice you've received so far? "Time gives good advice." - Unknown I chose the topic of the roller coaster of Lyme disease for a post on the GLA blog when I was feeling good physically and then got a disappointing test result. It made me think of all the ups and downs Lyme patients go through in treatment. You can read the full post here: The Roller Coaster of Lyme Disease  How do you cope with the constant ups and downs of Lyme disease? "Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." - Winston Churchill |
WelcomeI'm Kerry (She/Her/Hers) and I am a licensed therapist, writer & speaker. This is a positive space focused on how to thrive in any situation and the transformative power of suffering. 
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