Not so new

[snickersnake]

I know that I started right in asking for help, but that's how I found you folks and bless your hearts, you really gave me some great information and encouragement. A lot of you welcomed me back in October when I first posted about my problem with Lucy and eating, and you told me to post some pictures. I finally got around to it, and posted a few today. I'm also writing my intro message in the Welcome lounge.

In my first post, I wrote how I found Lucy. Last summer, I caught her 3 times. Each time, she was just wiggling up to me and I bent over and picked her up. She acted comfortable being held, which I thought was very unusual. The first 2 times, I put her in the garden so that the lawnmower wouldn't get her. The 3rd time, I decided to keep her.

She wouldn't eat fish...acted as though she didn't know how. So, I fed her worms and she liked those. She was so tiny, just a baby. But then she quit eating.

After trying many things, I took her to the vet, where he was pretty shocked at how comfortable she was being held...almost as though she really liked it. I got to hear her heartbeat. He said that even though I had taken precautions to keep her warmer, it wasn't enough. I had a heater on the bottom of her cage and kept her in a warm room full time, but he said I also needed to keep a lamp on her during the day. That did the trick, and she's been eating and growing since.

She's still little, but growing very well now and soon, I can get pinkies for her. Right now, it's worms with vitamins, and thanks to your help for my Magic Worm Farm. It's kept us in healthy worms while we get hit with blizzards and below zero temps this winter.

It has taken me awhile to catch up because I suffer from Lyme Disease. I didn't get help at the time of my bullseye rash because my doctor said that I didn't need antibiotics, because I wasn't sick. And I wasn't! I just had a huge bullseye on the inside of my arm. Four years later, I started getting sick and I was misdiagnosed for 5 years. Now, I am getting help but nothing has worked yet and I am on my 3rd Lyme specialist. Regular doctors do not treat Lyme and those that do are very rare. Also, the CDC says that "late" Lyme does not exist (the kind where you get sick month or years after the bite), so trying to get help, disability, etc. or any kind of respect for the disease is very difficult. Anyway, I have a lot of permanent damage and am getting help for the part of the disease that can go into remission, but can take years. And I will never be cured. I have been diagnosed with MS, severe arthritis, small and large fiber and autonomic neuropathy, fibromyalgia, many many others, etc. My brain took a hike 1.5 years ago and it's scary. Anyway, waa waa, right? Sorry, but this is my life and it's hard to talk about myself without a mention.

Thanks again for everything and it's great that there's a place where there are so many experts that will help when I have questions about Lucy. And I will be very happy to help when I can!

Lori

[crzy_kevo]

welcome back and im glad that your snake is doing well

[jitami]

Nice to see you around again Lori!

Glad to hear Lucy is doing well! I'm looking forward to the pics... next post I read!

Sorry to hear about your issues with Lymes. I know it can be nasty to treat and leave lingering symptoms even if it's treated early on I've never heard anything very encouraging and your story supports that

Edited to say I found the pics in your album. What a pretty little snake! She's really lovely!

[infernalis]

Nice to have you around, Good luck with the Lyme related problems.

As for the chronic issues, I can relate, not from myself but from a close loved one.

Life can still be meaningful, and with proper meds at least tolerable.

[guidofatherof5]

Lori, Nice to hear about your snake. Post a new picture or two. We would all like to see them.
You are in our family prayers. Let us know what we can do for you

[anji1971]

Welcome back!
Sounds like your little snake is thriving, which is great news.
Sorry you have been struggling so much with your health. Life is enough of a challenge when one is well. Hang in there, and visit us here whenever you can.

[drache]

Lori - welcome back
it's nice to hear Lucy is doing well
sorry to hear about your health issues
it seems that Lyme is just not well understood yet
a friend of mine suffered for years although they did catch it right away

[Snake lover 3-25]

welcome back

[Aundrea]

Welcome back!! Glad that your snake is doing well. I cant wait to see pics

Sorry about your illness. Hope you get better soon

[count dewclaw]

Welcome back!

Chronic health issues can be very draining physically as well as emotionally. I know, my family is dealing with a bunch...

I'll be praying for you and your doctors.