time

roughly 8 years ago, my father got sick. sick enough that he couldn't hardly walk, he would get exhausted to the point that he would collapse. he was sick enough that he could no longer drive himself to work. my parents used to keep a wheelchair in the back of the suburban because he would inevitably need it whenever they went out. he would end up needing to go home part way through church. he was extremely ill. there was no diagnosis. he was unable to work, and was denied disability.

about 7 years ago, he was referred to a chronic disease specialist. just listening to him tell her about his symptoms, she diagnosed him with lyme. the blood tests later confirmed that.

7 1/2 years ago, we moved me, taylor, and elizabeth out to help. my mother had had to go back into the workforce to make ends meet, and they needed someone at home to help take care of my father and younger brothers. while we were there, he reached the point that they could get rid of the wheelchair, and he started driving on his own again.

years of therapy and numerous rounds of antibiotics later, he was cured! there is no known cure for lyme. but the last time he had bloodwork done, they couldn't find any trace of the lyme left!

today, he gained full-time employment!