Out of the "Lymelight": Adventures of a Warrior

 

Introducing a Warrior 

I am a 46-year-old wife and mom who loves Jesus, journaling, reading books, taking photographs, and gardening.  I am passionate about language and writing poetry, and I have been blogging for over ten years.  I write for another blog called, Broken Places, which has been my labor of love.  Two years ago, I attempted to launch a writing and consulting business; however, keeping up with two teenage boys and having a small business out of our home consumes most of my time.   I help my husband nurture and grow his small franchise business, and we mentor young men and women on both personal and professional growth.  Once or twice a year, we travel across the country to learn about the trade and meet other business owners.  We love meeting new and interesting people and encouraging them in their endeavors. 

 Even though I spend a considerable amount of time interacting with people, I am truly an introvert at heart.  I am not much for small talk, and I get the most enjoyment out being focused and driven.  I would rather get down to real issues and deep topics in my conversations, and I am energized by having time to myself-- reading, reflecting, and writing.  

I thrive on challenges, and once I set my mind on something, I tend to be strong-willed and stubborn.  That is how I became a warrior- tough, determined, and full of grit.  I needed to be a warrior to survive because I have been through an extensive battle that I wouldn't have wished on my worst enemy.  It all started on Labor Day, 2009, when I was out to the lake cabin and discovered a tick bite that would forever change my life.  Two years later, I was diagnosed with chronic untreated Lyme disease.  By then the disgusting cork-screw bacterium multiplied and burrowed throughout my body, invading my nerve tissue and organs.  I was fighting for my life and sanity with no definitive answers, resources, or adequate medical care.   I discovered that Lyme disease has been grossly misunderstood by the medical community and general public, and I figured out rather quickly that I was on my own.  If I wanted to survive, I would need to dig deep into my faith and push for every possible resource I could find.  It was the most difficult, life altering, terrifying, and rewarding experience of my life.  That was the start of my warrior adventures.

Vacation to Mount Rushmore and Bear Country in 2015

The Battle

For over five years, I was house-bound and semi bedridden with Lyme disease, con-infections, and a condition known as CIRS or Chronic Inflammatory Response Syndrome.  With these conditions, getting out of the house was an ordeal.  In 2015, our family went on a trip to Mount Rushmore to celebrate my daughter's sixteenth birthday.  I spent most of the trip in bed feeling sorry for myself because I wasn't able to get out and enjoy sightseeing with my family.  Determined to spend some time with them, I pulled myself out of bed to visit a tourist attraction called Bear Country.  My legs gave out at the outdoor arena, and I was overwhelmed with weakness and vertigo.  I was feeling discouraged and defeated and asked my husband to help me to the van.  On the way out, we noticed a visitor wheelchair sitting near the entrance, and my husband suggested we borrow it.    It was embarrassing for me to take this first step; however, having a mobile device offered the possibility for me to spend more time with my family.  The experience was a foretaste of the adventures to come.

 That year, the battle was intense as the disease ravaged my body and nervous system. I was once again flattened by this life-altering illness; however, I refused to give up.  Tapping into a very personal relationship with Jesus and a willingness to try anything to overcome the disease, I spent my time in bed reading my Bible as well as researching nutrition and other healing methods.  Through a painfully slow process, I steadfastly emerged from the dark pit of Lyme.  With a wheelchair donated by a member of our church, I tentatively stepped into the possibilities.    

First Time out Shopping, Summer of 2016

Emerging from the Pit

Two years after our family vacation, I was steadily engaging in family activities; and my teenage daughter decided it was time to for me to get out in public again.  She wanted her mom back.  My daughter researched mobility options by stopping at a local Target store to inquire about their scooter systems.  One day, she announced that we were going shopping together. I was hesitant to try something new; however, she was persistent and made it happen.  It was a huge step, and we both were very excited!

"Extraordinary things only happen to extra ordinary people"  --C.S. Lewis

Raising Awareness

After that first step, outings became a regular thing for us, and we wanted to raise awareness about the struggles we faced.  In 2019, my daughter and I decided to vlog our experiences.  We produced a YouTube series called "Heart of the Dragon" to describe our encounters with chronic illness.  The series was named after an adventure in the novel, "Voyage of the Dawn Treader" by CS Lewis.  The adventure described how a boy named Eustace was forced to address his physical and character flaws by becoming a loathsome dragon, and in doing so, he was transformed into a noble warrior.  The dragon concept became a metaphor for rising out the ashes of illness to be transformed through the process of sanctification.  The videos were of low quality; however, we had a great time making them.  We used videos to document many of our outings and adventures.  In those video escapades, we highlighted my determination to take my life back, and we shared many of my firsts.

Warrior Adventures

A consultation with master stylist, CJ Nelson

I had my first professional haircut in almost ten years!   

Nickelodeon Universe at Mall of America

For my daughter's 20th birthday, I went on my first rollercoaster ride in over two decades! 

Trip to Branson for the Huge Convention, 2019

In August of 2019, we took a family vacation to Branson where I attended my first Huge Convention with my husband.  While in Branson, we created videos about our experience and produced an episode unveiling the blessings and challenges involving our trip.  It was definitely an unforgettable experience!

 

The Battle of Grief and the "Way of Love" 

This warrior embarked the year of 2019 strong, feeling ready to conquer the world.  That world crashed on Thanksgiving when we were held back from visiting my folks from Kansas because of an unexpected snowstorm.  The following Monday, I received a phone call that my mom was having difficulty breathing and was hospitalized with pneumonia.  The Christmas season was bittersweet as the Lord called me to demonstrate a new "Way of Love" in the care of my mom while facing the inevitable.  A month later, I said my final goodbyes and let her go to Jesus.  It was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do; however, it was the Lord's providence for her be at peace as she was spared from an upcoming pandemic.

A Kansas Sunset ended 2019 

Pandemic Warrior

Two months later, the COVID 19 Pandemic hit, and this grieving warrior was forced into an unaccustomed arena of bitterness and confusion.  At that time, my daughter and I made the decision to discontinue our vlog and focus on keeping us all safe and the family business afloat.  In October of 2020, my husband contracted COVID 19 and was hospitalized for two weeks.  With limited knowledge and resources available, it was a terrifying time for our entire family; however, we held firm to our faith and got through it.  At that point, I lost any desire to make videos or blog about our adventures.  The COVID 19 pandemic instigated an unprecedented battle that I wasn't prepared to engage in.

Trip to the North Shore to Celebrate 20 Years of Marriage!

Diversified Adventures

In 2021, my husband and I wanted to move past the pandemic battle as we traveled up North to the places where we met and fell in love.  Together, we celebrated 20 years of marriage at the North Shore, and we were ready to make a fresh start for our lives and marriage.  Though the grief and emotions involving the turbulent times had not subsided, we made a commitment to embark new diversified adventures with our family.

It has been a very tumultuous thirteen years, and this warrior is exhausted from all the sickness, excitement, heartache, and mixed blessings.  Although I am worn out, I am not ready to give up anytime soon.  We may not have any video exploits in the future; however, there are plenty of quests ahead of us.  Only the Lord knows what those experiences will be.  Grief and hardship take a toll, yet the Lord will transform these adventures into something unexpected and glorious.  

Here is an excerpt from our 2022 family Newsletter summing it all up:

"Bereavement and human suffering are difficult to comprehend in these earthly bodies, but we were made for something greater, and the Lord uses these struggles to more clearly reveal His enormous love and power that stretches far beyond our mortality.

May we cherish moments with our loved ones and give each other enough grace to comprehend that these 'light and momentary afflictions cannot compare to the future weight of glory beyond comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but the things that are unseen.  For the things that are seen are transient, but the things unseen are eternal.'- 2 Corinthians 4:17-18

May we keep our eyes heavenward and focus on the blessings that brought joy and unity among us.  May this be a year of rediscovery and revival as the Iridescent Hope of the Lord's promises seep into our existence." 

_______________________________

Iridescent Hope

The world around us propels at breakneck speed and delves into the shadowed realms in which we strive to grasp what drives our futile longings to achieve.

When we love, we laugh, we sigh, we weep, and we grieve—our sorrows and muted desires blend instinctively into a kaleidoscope of distant thoughts and uncertain dreams.

When we’ve reached the bottom of cisterns opening our empty souls to infinity, we encounter the Iridescent Hope that which invaded humanity in the frailty of an infant King born to save us and set captives free.  

His tiny fists clenched, those wee little hands that one day would open up to carry our burdens nailed to the path of cruelty in the bittersweet arms of Calvary.

The world around us is marred by hate, division, unforgiveness, and ugly brutality. 

We weren’t made for such despair, as our hearts were designed to seek mercy in the gentle unity of sacrificial love manifested by the Iridescent Hope of our God King!

—Darcee Zehm

“The Steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”  Lamentations 3:22-23

______________________________

For More Information about Lyme Disease Awareness:

About Chronic Lyme:  http://dzehm.blogspot.com/2012/12/chronic-lyme-disease.html

                                  https://dzehm.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-voices-of-lyme-voice-of-suffering.html
                    
                               https://dzehm.blogspot.com/2015/03/the-voices-of-lyme-voice-of-suffering-2.html

My Story:    http://dzehm.blogspot.com/2012/11/enduring-winter-my-battle-with-lyme.html

                       https://dzehm.blogspot.com/2015/07/the-good-fight-my-lyme-relapse.html

                       https://dzehm.blogspot.com/2016/09/the-lyme-labyrinth-crushed-spirit.html             

                       https://dzehm.blogspot.com/2017/01/out-of-labyrinth-part-1-healing-through.html      

                      https://dzehm.blogspot.com/2017/01/out-of-labyrinth-part-2-lessons-ive.html

Letter to Lyme

My Son Got Lyme

Nancy's Story:  http://dzehm.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-voices-of-lyme-voice-of-hope-nancys.html

Logan's Story:  http://dzehm.blogspot.com/2014/12/the-voices-of-lyme-voice-of-youth.html

Sally's Story:  http://dzehm.blogspot.com/2015/02/the-voices-of-lyme-voice-of-battle.html