Lyme is a terrible illness, and I would never, ever wish it on another person. I'm always sorry to hear when someone else does have it, and sadly, there are a LOT of us.

Advanced Lyme Disease simply refers to the fact that I've had the disease for a long time, and it's affecting me a tremendous amount. Of course, no two people with lyme experience exactly the same spectrum of symptoms, but I'm years past the "feels like the flu" stage, and on to horrible pain, fatigue, poor coordination, neurological, and digestive symptoms, to name a few. I'm currently seeing a lyme literate doctor in Santa Ana, CA, who uses an integrative approach, combining diet, holistic supplements, and modern medication like IV antibiotics. I'm in preliminary treatment, which is mostly symptom management and immune support in preparation for . I'm not sure when I'll be able to start the antibiotics, but eventually I will be receiving a lengthy run to kill the bacteria. The current challenge is finding medical insurance, and getting on disability, because without those two things I can't afford the full run, even given the successful Indiegogo campaign. There is no adequate way for me to express my frustration with the medical system in the USA, and its emphasis on profits over people. We are not cash cows to bleed, and paying for treatment is not an optional expense.

I hope your own battle with lyme is going well, with as few complications and stumbling blocks as possible. It's a very hard road, but when we get knocked down, we just have to keep picking ourselves up and fighting onward. Take care, and best wishes for your future good health.

Beautiful selection, and thank you very much for including my art.