The Back Story Candace Ray; Lyme survivor and advocate
Lyme no longer defines me. At one time, if someone asked me to talk about myself, my first thought would be to answer, “I’m sick, I have Lyme disease”. That no longer is my first thought. Today my first thought is of my achievements. I am a proud mother of two, who I home-schooled for the biggest part of their education. My 21-year-old daughter is in Art College and my 19-year-old son is taking classes at our local community college. Through my long journey, I developed an amazing program to help others. I am a Lyme advocate. Please check out our Facebook page. Lyme has made me a much stronger, healthier person. Like my mother used to say "What does not kill you makes you stronger."
My Lyme story is probably similar to yours. I was on the Lyme roller coaster for 12 plus years. Originally, I was told it was all in my head. My blood work was fine and all I needed was exercise. Only after I blew out my adrenals was I finally diagnosed with Lyme and began treatment. I suspect I had been sick for several years prior to that diagnosis. After the diagnosis, I could not be left alone with my own children. I was on oxygen at night and barely had the strength to walk up a flight of steps or across a room. I was overwhelmed and alone and struggling sometimes just to keep my head above water. The pain was so bad on three separate occasions I prayed for the pain to end. I wrote letters to my children in case the disease won. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital on several occasions. One of my worst moments was lying on the gurney in the ambulance and watching my children through the window and the look on their faces. Crushing. My first wellness journey took over 6 years and included at least 15 or more specialists from many different fields. I was so desperate to be well I spent over 100,000 in treatments, doctors, testing and supplements. During this trying time I still had some doctors who insisted there was nothing wrong with me or just treated my symptoms and not the actual illness.
In my healing infancy, I was relying 100% on doctors and had vague knowledge of the disease or my protocols. My return to wellness was partly my sheer determination and my drive to not give up. I had many great doctors, doctors who are excellent in their fields, doctors who were recommended BY ILLAD (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) I worked with dentists who were trained in The Andrew Hall Cutler protocols. I completed 2 years of Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques therapy (NAET). I had doctors who ran wellness centers and I was lucky enough to be able to afford hyperbaric chambers and chelation therapy.
After 3 1/2 years of treatment, My doctors diagnosed me as being Lyme free and all my labs were normal. I was not 100% at this point but I was very happy with the news from my doctors. I was well enough to drive 3,000 miles cross country with my 2 teen age children. It was just me driving. I was clear headed, pain free and happy. My Health status was short lived.
My shock came when I discovering Lyme could return. Not once had I ever been told Lyme could relapse. So, back on the Lyme rollercoaster I went. I had recently moved from the West Coast to the East Coast and I had to find a brand new support team. You know the drill. This time my finances were depleted from the first go around which kept me from finding the large support team I once had. I was able however to use my knowledge and find a new team of 6 doctors.
Let's review. Started with unidentified symptoms the first time, which I attribute to a bad root canal, toxins and bad air quality. These are the things I think turned out to be the straw that broke the camel's back and allowed Lyme to take hold. I am really not sure when or if I was ever bitten by a tick.*
Fast-forward 7 years and after curing and being re-infected or re-lapsing 3 times, I took my wellness into my own hands and became my own advocate. I started reading researching and acquiring knowledge. Not just what I picked up along the way. I really studied. I decided to write a pamphlet to share what I learned. The "pamphlet" turned into 15 separate articles, which I have now named "15 Articles on Wellness, A Lyme disease Healing Journey". These are soon to be published in book form. Through the help of great doctors and my advocacy I have once again achieved wellness and have been able to maintain a wellbeing that just was not there before. I am no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am strong enough and my body is well enough to maintain my head above water and even do some swimming just for fun. Do not get me wrong, I still get colds and I still am learning, but each day I am getting stronger. I continue to work on lingering post Lyme issues and have fixed estrogen dominance, gut issues, (probably due to years of antibiotic use) inflammation and of course those few extra pounds. I even successfully treated myself for mold. I purchased a new home and it had mold in the sir ducts. The important thing to understand now is that I know I can fix anything that comes my way. Kicking Lyme is like peeling an onion. As you address and fix health issues others step up and come forward. The best part of my approach is that with each layer you peel away you begin to feel better, feel less pain and have fewer symptoms. Today I am pain free and my energy has returned! Every day I am healthier and feeling better. It is a great change from 12 plus years ago when I was struggling with no answers or clear direction. I’ve experienced the battle of Lyme disease. I beat Lyme 3 times (this was according to Lyme Literate doctors who felt I had Lyme in remission). Through this experience and with the help of many devoted doctors, I have defined a plan that worked for me and others to rebuild the body and defeat Lyme once and for all for good. (I am truly conflicted as to if Lyme is able to be completely defeated. I think keeping it in remission is possibly the best option along with feeling 100% amazing! After all I live in one of the highest areas for Lyme disease. I termed the phrase "Functional Healing". I believe you need to look at the whole picture to really heal yourself for good. As part of my continued wellness, I want to share my knowledge and plan with others. I feel it is very important to share the word that you can regain and maintain your health. Positive emotions is a big part of healing and I want to share the possibility of wellness with others! My approach also allows your own body the ability to do what it was designed to do and keep you healthy. Support the body!
“We teach best what we most need to learn.” ― Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
As part of my continued healing I want to use my knowledge to help others achieve wellness and a pain free life. This is the sole reason I have dedicated the past years of my life to learning everything I could about Lyme, its co-infections and contributing factors. By being accountable I hold myself to higher standards and have achieved a greater degree of health. I want to share this concept with others so they can achieve a higher level of healing.
I am not a doctor nor do I pretend to have all the answers. Lyme is ever changing and new co-infections are being found daily. I am a Certified Wellness Coach and trained in Reike a natural healing method. I am also certified in Klinghardt's ART levels 1 and 2. I am committed to learning and researching by way of continuing education through NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association) Internet summits, seminars, blogging, Facebook and non-stop reading. Currently enrolled in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. My favorite experts continue to be Klinghardt, Horowitz, Yasko, Burner, Hyman and Shoemaker.
My goal is to spread the word that Lyme is multifaceted and needs to be addressed by not treating just the disease but by treating the whole person: providing a step by step approach individually tailored for each client to achieve wellness. I want to share what took me over seven years of research, countless hours and dedication to understand, not to mention the years I spent in pain and confusion. I am now able help you make complicated issues easier to understand. I want to help you understand the importance of test results and the complications of Lyme disease. My personal goal is to support others in becoming their own advocate and triumphing against whatever personal health issues they may have.
I was born, by the grace of God, with a naturally determined temperament, and raised to believe I could achieve whatever I was determined to accomplish. This was a huge help in overcoming all the obstacles presented by Lyme. Not everyone though, has been given that gift of determination. Do you really want to be well? Even if you don't naturally have the gift of self-assertion you can develop the habit of encouraging yourself and being your own best advocate.** It starts with the desire to be well and turns into daily habits and finally, character. It is imperative that you truly want to be well before you embark on this journey of healing. Your body knows how to heal itself it just needs little help i the overly toxic world we live in today.
I feel better today then I did prior to the disease! I have more energy, I am happier and I feel blessed everyday!
* At present it is thought that one can also contract Lyme from mosquitoes, fleas, and biting flies as well as ticks, and this remains a subject of controversy.
** Thoughts lead to words, words become deeds, deeds become habits, habits become character, and character defines your destiny.
The content of this website is for information only. Coaching does not include and is not a substitute for medical treatment. Coaching provides insight and information ONLY. It does NOT include any medical advice, medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or prescribed or suggested prescription or non-prescription drug treatment or therapy. The insight and information provided is to facilitate and encourage Patron’s communication with his/her own medical providers. Use this website or any material obtained from Lyme Wellness D.I.Y. solely at your own risk. I am not responsible for any errors, misstatements, inaccuracies or omissions in this webpage.
,
My Lyme story is probably similar to yours. I was on the Lyme roller coaster for 12 plus years. Originally, I was told it was all in my head. My blood work was fine and all I needed was exercise. Only after I blew out my adrenals was I finally diagnosed with Lyme and began treatment. I suspect I had been sick for several years prior to that diagnosis. After the diagnosis, I could not be left alone with my own children. I was on oxygen at night and barely had the strength to walk up a flight of steps or across a room. I was overwhelmed and alone and struggling sometimes just to keep my head above water. The pain was so bad on three separate occasions I prayed for the pain to end. I wrote letters to my children in case the disease won. I was taken by ambulance to the hospital on several occasions. One of my worst moments was lying on the gurney in the ambulance and watching my children through the window and the look on their faces. Crushing. My first wellness journey took over 6 years and included at least 15 or more specialists from many different fields. I was so desperate to be well I spent over 100,000 in treatments, doctors, testing and supplements. During this trying time I still had some doctors who insisted there was nothing wrong with me or just treated my symptoms and not the actual illness.
In my healing infancy, I was relying 100% on doctors and had vague knowledge of the disease or my protocols. My return to wellness was partly my sheer determination and my drive to not give up. I had many great doctors, doctors who are excellent in their fields, doctors who were recommended BY ILLAD (International Lyme and Associated Disease Society) I worked with dentists who were trained in The Andrew Hall Cutler protocols. I completed 2 years of Nambudripad's Allergy Elimination Techniques therapy (NAET). I had doctors who ran wellness centers and I was lucky enough to be able to afford hyperbaric chambers and chelation therapy.
After 3 1/2 years of treatment, My doctors diagnosed me as being Lyme free and all my labs were normal. I was not 100% at this point but I was very happy with the news from my doctors. I was well enough to drive 3,000 miles cross country with my 2 teen age children. It was just me driving. I was clear headed, pain free and happy. My Health status was short lived.
My shock came when I discovering Lyme could return. Not once had I ever been told Lyme could relapse. So, back on the Lyme rollercoaster I went. I had recently moved from the West Coast to the East Coast and I had to find a brand new support team. You know the drill. This time my finances were depleted from the first go around which kept me from finding the large support team I once had. I was able however to use my knowledge and find a new team of 6 doctors.
Let's review. Started with unidentified symptoms the first time, which I attribute to a bad root canal, toxins and bad air quality. These are the things I think turned out to be the straw that broke the camel's back and allowed Lyme to take hold. I am really not sure when or if I was ever bitten by a tick.*
Fast-forward 7 years and after curing and being re-infected or re-lapsing 3 times, I took my wellness into my own hands and became my own advocate. I started reading researching and acquiring knowledge. Not just what I picked up along the way. I really studied. I decided to write a pamphlet to share what I learned. The "pamphlet" turned into 15 separate articles, which I have now named "15 Articles on Wellness, A Lyme disease Healing Journey". These are soon to be published in book form. Through the help of great doctors and my advocacy I have once again achieved wellness and have been able to maintain a wellbeing that just was not there before. I am no longer waiting for the other shoe to drop. I am strong enough and my body is well enough to maintain my head above water and even do some swimming just for fun. Do not get me wrong, I still get colds and I still am learning, but each day I am getting stronger. I continue to work on lingering post Lyme issues and have fixed estrogen dominance, gut issues, (probably due to years of antibiotic use) inflammation and of course those few extra pounds. I even successfully treated myself for mold. I purchased a new home and it had mold in the sir ducts. The important thing to understand now is that I know I can fix anything that comes my way. Kicking Lyme is like peeling an onion. As you address and fix health issues others step up and come forward. The best part of my approach is that with each layer you peel away you begin to feel better, feel less pain and have fewer symptoms. Today I am pain free and my energy has returned! Every day I am healthier and feeling better. It is a great change from 12 plus years ago when I was struggling with no answers or clear direction. I’ve experienced the battle of Lyme disease. I beat Lyme 3 times (this was according to Lyme Literate doctors who felt I had Lyme in remission). Through this experience and with the help of many devoted doctors, I have defined a plan that worked for me and others to rebuild the body and defeat Lyme once and for all for good. (I am truly conflicted as to if Lyme is able to be completely defeated. I think keeping it in remission is possibly the best option along with feeling 100% amazing! After all I live in one of the highest areas for Lyme disease. I termed the phrase "Functional Healing". I believe you need to look at the whole picture to really heal yourself for good. As part of my continued wellness, I want to share my knowledge and plan with others. I feel it is very important to share the word that you can regain and maintain your health. Positive emotions is a big part of healing and I want to share the possibility of wellness with others! My approach also allows your own body the ability to do what it was designed to do and keep you healthy. Support the body!
“We teach best what we most need to learn.” ― Richard Bach, Illusions: The Adventures of a Reluctant Messiah
As part of my continued healing I want to use my knowledge to help others achieve wellness and a pain free life. This is the sole reason I have dedicated the past years of my life to learning everything I could about Lyme, its co-infections and contributing factors. By being accountable I hold myself to higher standards and have achieved a greater degree of health. I want to share this concept with others so they can achieve a higher level of healing.
I am not a doctor nor do I pretend to have all the answers. Lyme is ever changing and new co-infections are being found daily. I am a Certified Wellness Coach and trained in Reike a natural healing method. I am also certified in Klinghardt's ART levels 1 and 2. I am committed to learning and researching by way of continuing education through NESTA (National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association) Internet summits, seminars, blogging, Facebook and non-stop reading. Currently enrolled in the Institute of Integrative Nutrition. My favorite experts continue to be Klinghardt, Horowitz, Yasko, Burner, Hyman and Shoemaker.
My goal is to spread the word that Lyme is multifaceted and needs to be addressed by not treating just the disease but by treating the whole person: providing a step by step approach individually tailored for each client to achieve wellness. I want to share what took me over seven years of research, countless hours and dedication to understand, not to mention the years I spent in pain and confusion. I am now able help you make complicated issues easier to understand. I want to help you understand the importance of test results and the complications of Lyme disease. My personal goal is to support others in becoming their own advocate and triumphing against whatever personal health issues they may have.
I was born, by the grace of God, with a naturally determined temperament, and raised to believe I could achieve whatever I was determined to accomplish. This was a huge help in overcoming all the obstacles presented by Lyme. Not everyone though, has been given that gift of determination. Do you really want to be well? Even if you don't naturally have the gift of self-assertion you can develop the habit of encouraging yourself and being your own best advocate.** It starts with the desire to be well and turns into daily habits and finally, character. It is imperative that you truly want to be well before you embark on this journey of healing. Your body knows how to heal itself it just needs little help i the overly toxic world we live in today.
I feel better today then I did prior to the disease! I have more energy, I am happier and I feel blessed everyday!
* At present it is thought that one can also contract Lyme from mosquitoes, fleas, and biting flies as well as ticks, and this remains a subject of controversy.
** Thoughts lead to words, words become deeds, deeds become habits, habits become character, and character defines your destiny.
The content of this website is for information only. Coaching does not include and is not a substitute for medical treatment. Coaching provides insight and information ONLY. It does NOT include any medical advice, medical diagnosis, medical treatment, or prescribed or suggested prescription or non-prescription drug treatment or therapy. The insight and information provided is to facilitate and encourage Patron’s communication with his/her own medical providers. Use this website or any material obtained from Lyme Wellness D.I.Y. solely at your own risk. I am not responsible for any errors, misstatements, inaccuracies or omissions in this webpage.
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