aGirlWithLyme

Hi I'm Shaelene, I live in Nova Scotia, Canada and I have Chronic Lyme Disease, Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, & Fibromyalgia. I here to share my experience with Chronic Lyme Disease, Connect with People who have Chronic/Invisible Illnesses. I love History, Archaeology, Science, Nature, Photography, and cats - I love cats! Subscribe to my Youtube Channel | Follow me on Instagram | Like me on Facebook | Follow me on Twitter

[agirlwithlyme]

Here are the foster kittens I got on Sunday! Long story short they were dumped off at my sisters place of work and we got the ok to foster them. As you can see they are a beautiful shade of black! We have a girl on the left- Cinder and a boy on the right- Coal. They both have worms and ear mites, and they are a bit skinny. But they are very snuggly, playful, and absolute sweethearts. We are currently looking for forever homes for them, either through people my family knows personally or through the local shelter where we adopted Skidder & Timber. For now I am enjoying the multitude of kitten snuggles and being a great foster mom 💖 • • #FosterKittens #FosterCats #KittensOfInstagram #BlackCat #FallKittens #AdoptDontShop #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #ChronicPain #Disabled https://www.instagram.com/p/BpGPkuVHnIK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=iht44eyeiebp

[agirlwithlyme]

Spent the entire week stuck in bed with a migraine 😣 I’ve tried everything but it just keeps coming back! I have a Lidocaine IV on Tuesday and I plan to go to the movies on Friday, I just want some functionality back in my life 😕 I won’t have a video for Tuesday, or even the Tuesday after that! I really hope I’ll be able to film soon. • • #LymeDisease #ChronicLyme #ChronicPain #Migraine #ChronicMigraines #Fibromyalgia #Disabled #SmallYouTuber #LymeDontKillMyVibe https://www.instagram.com/p/Bo4w3AGnH8F/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1me7lb4jtctuh

[agirlwithlyme]

“The most powerful words you can say to someone with a Chronic Illness: I BELIEVE YOU.” • Just got word that the story I was interviewed for will be on the front page of the Chronicle Herald tomorrow!😱 • ••• 🔺Please ask for my permission to repost my quotes🔺 ••• #Art #Creative #Tyopgraphy #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Disabled #Spoonie #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #DesignTexts #vquotes__ #DesignLab #MadeWithDesignLab #PicLabQuotes #QuoteOfTheDay https://www.instagram.com/p/BochA60HjPn/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1539wgdamhaob

[agirlwithlyme]

Gynaecology appointment Update— A little history: I have always had extremely painful and heavy periods. I started brith control about 5 years ago. That didn’t help much so I then started taking BC for 4 continuous months then stopping to have my period. This worked moderately well, I got to skip my period for a while and only had to endure my painful period every once in a while. But that has changed. Back in June I had one of the most painful periods of my life. It was not normal, I was doubled over in pain, the meds weren’t helping it- my cramps felt like contractions and I couldn’t sit as my lady bits were too sore, it was torture. I relayed this info to my gynaecologist who is sending me to get an ultrasound to check for cysts and fibroids. She also gave me two treatment options: get an IUD (which I didn’t feel comfortable with) or try a medication that is used to treat endometriosis. I opted for the meds (I later found out it costs $200, trying to see if I can get it covered). My Gynaecologist thinks it’s highly likely I have Endometriosis, which I’ve suspected for YEARS she just happens to be the first doctor that has listened to me. Waiting to get the meds and then do the ultrasound, based on how I feel on the meds and what the ultrasound shows will determine a path from there. #Endometriosis #Gynaecology #ChronicPain #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #ChronicIllness #Disabled https://www.instagram.com/p/BoXLTB3necx/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1t93me2n56pot

[agirlwithlyme]

✨YOUTUBE Q&A TIME!✨ Please ask me questions down below! It can be about anything! Health related, non-health related, my opinions on certain topics— anything! All questions will be featured in Tuesday’s video! • • #Q&A #QuestionAndAnswer #YoutubeQuestionAndAnswer #AskMeAnything #SmallYoutuber #Subscribe #ChronicPain #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #ChronicIllness #LymeDontKillMyVibe #Disabled https://www.instagram.com/p/BoUagLDnpyL/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=j8yq4br7gb3y

[agirlwithlyme]

I have some news 💚 I was interviewed by a reporter from the Chronicle Herald on Monday about my journey with Lyme Disease. I was contacted by the reporter after I had commented on a rather infuriating article in which Nova Scotia’s ‘top doctor’ said many in-factual things about Lyme Disease— and that the province has everything ‘under control’ when it comes to Lyme (which isn’t true). The interview with the reporter went really well, he was super compassionate and very invested/concerned with Nova Scotia’s Lyme Disease epidemic. My article will be put out in print in one of the biggest newspapers in our province and there will also be an online article which I will put a link to on here as soon as it becomes available! I have a lot of faith and trust in the reporter who interviewed me, hopefully he will be the guy that gets the government listening so actual progress can be made in the diagnosis, treatment, prevention and public awareness of Lyme and Tick Borne Illnesses. • • • #LymeDisease #ChronicLyme #TickBorneIllness #TickBorneDisease #Bartonella #ChronicPain #NovaScotia #ChronicPain #Fibromyalgia #LymeDontKillMyVibe #aGirlWithLyme #ChronicleHerald (at Nova Scotia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BoK4dRKHdN5/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=s1lvudabelsw

[agirlwithlyme]

“Soon, when all is well, you’re going to look back on this period of your life and be so glad that you never gave up” • • Healing is a full time job, but hopefully someday it’ll all be worth it in the end🙌🏻💖 • • ••• 🔺Please ask for my permission to repost my quotes🔺 ••• #Art #Creative #Tyopgraphy #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Disabled #Spoonie #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #DesignTexts #vquotes__ #DesignLab #MadeWithDesignLab #PicLabQuotes #QuoteOfTheDay (at Nova Scotia) https://www.instagram.com/p/BnEjjpSgQB8/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=9q27qh7m4hiu

[agirlwithlyme]

Saturday’s picnic went well, my sister and I had a great time! • • Unfortunately I crashed hard after after our picnic and have been struggling with a lot of pain in my hands. I hadn’t realized how much more difficult it is for my body to bounce back after the herxing I went through in early July. Everything has been a struggle. • • #Picnic #FoodFeast #WatermelonJuice #ChronicPain #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #ChronicIllness #Disabled

[agirlwithlyme]

Chronic Pain. It’s like the aches and exhaustion you get with the flu. Like after you feel after an intense workout. Having flares that make you feel like you’ve been hit by a car. Yet, Chronic Pain is usually invisible. This means that many people don’t understand or can’t comprehend how someone can feel like this All of the time. • • Pain sucks. My motivation is dead. I got my Lidocaine IV yesterday so hopefully I’ll start to feel a bit better soon. • • ••• 🔺Please ask for my permission to repost my quotes🔺 ••• #Art #Creative #Tyopgraphy #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Disabled #Spoonie #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #DesignTexts #vquotes__ #DesignLab #MadeWithDesignLab #PicLabQuotes #QuoteOfTheDay

[agirlwithlyme]

What a view for a wedding! • • Went to my cousin’s wedding yesterday and had a great time! I was worried I wasn’t going to be able to make it on account of how horrible I’ve been feeling. I did end up getting a nasty migraine but I wasn’t nauseated like I usually am so I was able to eat- it seems like nothing but every time I go anywhere I’m usually so nauseated and can’t eat! Dealing with payback pain today but I’m so happy I was able to get out and enjoy myself. This also happens to be the first lighthouse I have ever seen, which is pretty bad because Nova Scotia has many lighthouses! 🙈 • • #NovaScotia #Lighthouse #ChronicPain #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #ChronicIllness #Spoonie #LymeDontKillMyVibe

[agirlwithlyme]

I’m back (hopefully)! I took a break for a bit, and while I still don’t feel I’m back to my baseline symptoms I do want to make an effort to start posting again! Let’s catch up in the comments, how is your summer going?🌼 • • • #Selfie #SelfieSaturday #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #ChronicPain #LymeDontKillMyVibe #Spoonie #KeepFighting (at Nova Scotia)

[agirlwithlyme]

••• 🔺Please ask for my permission to repost my quotes🔺 ••• • • I’ve been awful at posting so I thought it’s time for a little update. Currently I am still herxing from the antibiotics I took at the beginning of the month, but I do hope I’m finally coming out of it! On Tuesday I caught my sister’s head cold, so I’ve been dealing with that 🙃 and I had to miss my Lidocaine IV due to the herxing and head cold! I have spent the ENTIRE month of July in bed doing absolutely nothing. Usually when I feel like crap I’m able to do a little bit of something like edit a video or some photos for social media, but I haven’t had the energy to do any of those things. I spend my day laying in bed watching tv because that is all I have the energy to do. It’s incredibly frustrating as I did not expect to spend an entire month in bed doing nothing. I hope my body is able to come out of this soon as I do miss posting to social media regularly and being productive 💚 • • #Art #Creative #Tyopgraphy #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Disabled #Spoonie #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #DesignTexts #vquotes__ #DesignLab #MadeWithDesignLab #PicLabQuotes #QuoteOfTheDay (at Nova Scotia)

[agirlwithlyme]

I’ve been crap at posting but I wanted to give you all an update. I’m on week 3 of this herx. My wisdom tooth is all healed and I stopped having any pain from it for about a week and a half. I do have an area on my tongue that is still numb unfortunately. I’ve been doing everything that I can to shake this herx, but it’s not budging! I’m exhausted, weak, shaky and in a lot of pain. This is the worst I have felt in a few years. I was doing so well in March and April, so to have my health so miserable right now is very discouraging and mentally and physically hard for me to deal with. I feel as if I have taken 10 steps back and fell into a hole with no way out. When I feel awful I become distant as I don’t have the mental energy nor the physical strength to scroll through insta. I’m really struggling to put out my YouTube videos at the moment, and for the time being will only be posting once a week as I just don’t have the energy to edit. Hopefully things will turn around for me soon 💚 #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #Bartonella #Herxing #LateStageLymeDisease #LymeDontKillMyVibe #LymeWarrior (at Nova Scotia)

[agirlwithlyme]

Selfie Saturday ✌🏻💕 • • 100% do not look like this at the moment. I woke up with a migraine today and my body pain is really bad! Trying my best to make the pain tolerable, but this herx is making it hard! Sending hugs to anyone that needs them today💚 • • #SelfieSaturday #LymeDisease #Herxing #ChronicLyme #ChronicPain #Spoonie #LymeDontKillMyVibe (at Nova Scotia)

[agirlwithlyme]

Happy Friday!🌞🌱🌵 Spending my day editing and resting, might be going to the zoo tomorrow! 🐯 • • • #Succulent #PlantLife #Aesthetic #Marble #FamilyGetTogether #CanadaDay #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #ChronicPain #Spoonie (at Nova Scotia)

[agirlwithlyme]

“Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle” — Plato • • • I try my hardest to be a kind and compassionate person but often forget to be kind to myself. Over the past few months I have experienced some very rude and hurtful comments from someone within the Chronic Illness Community. And frankly I let it happen for far too long, I should have blocked them from all of my socials sooner but I wanted to give them another chance. They commented something on my most recent video that was quite hurtful and rude, it was the last straw. I asked you all on here you thoughts as I didn’t know if this behaviour was quite bullying. Ultimately I have decided to block this person on all of my social media pages. I should not have to put up with it and I should have trusted my gut sooner and blocked them. 💚 So here is a reminder to you all, please be kind and think of how your words may effect others💖 • • ••• 🔺Please ask for my permission to repost my quotes🔺 ••• #Art #Creative #Tyopgraphy #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Disabled #Spoonie #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #DesignTexts #vquotes__ #DesignLab #MadeWithDesignLab #PicLabQuotes #QuoteOfTheDay (at Nova Scotia)

[agirlwithlyme]

“This letter is to you.” ••• 🔺Please ask for my permission to repost my quotes🔺 ••• • • Feeling this one a lot today! I’m having some bad herxing symptoms and haven’t really moved from my bed or did much at all today. It’s super frustrating as I have so many things I want to accomplish. Going to try to detox my way through this herx, let’s hope it works 💖 • • #Art #Creative #Tyopgraphy #ChronicIllness #InvisibleIllness #Disabled #Spoonie #ChronicLyme #LymeDisease #DesignTexts #vquotes__ #DesignLab #MadeWithDesignLab #PicLabQuotes #QuoteOfTheDay (at Nova Scotia)