Lyme Disease is a thief that robs you of everything you once were.
That’s how a Botetourt County woman describes her daily battle with Chronic Lyme Disease.
It took a year and a half for Jaimie Martin learn her diagnosis.
“I used to describe it to my mom that I feel like I’m in a glass box, and I’m watching everybody else’s life go by, and I’m just sitting here missing out,” says Martin.
She is now suffering from her second round of Chronic Lyme Disease.
The battle began in her own back yard in 2012. She’s been bitten by ticks four times since then. Each time, Martin says, she was wearing insect repellent.
Martin says her case was tough to diagnose, since she never got the trademark bulls’ eye rash. She says the length of time it took for her to get an accurate diagnosis is likely why her condition became so severe.
Martin’s medication this time around costs about $70.00 a day.
Before Lyme Disease, she says she was healthy and active.
“It’s kind of heartbreaking, because my kids don’t remember me before I got sick.”
While she won’t likely become a healthy person again, Martin says she hopes people will educate themselves.
She counts on the love and support of her family and friends, along with special support groups.
The group, Living with Lyme is having its next meeting Thursday night, October 27 at 6:30 at the Vinton Library.
We’ve also posted several helpful links to the right of this story.
Refferal: http://www.wdbj7.com/content/news/Botetourt-County-woman-shares-struggle-with-Lyme-Disease-to-help-educate-others-398167871.html