Never Say Never: The Art Of Medical Intuition

I don't know what she calls herself. In technical terms, she's a holistic chiropractor. But, she claims she has a keen sense, and is able to "read" energy. Even more stunning, she can do it over the phone.

I find myself immediately wanting to dismiss her as a resource, but while in a bit of a limbo state regarding the next step to take with my health, I decide I can't turn away. Doctors recommend her, and actually often weigh her advice more heavily than lab tests. I've tried seemingly ridiculous things galore, and some have worked. When you are sick for so many years, you never deny an opportunity for more insight. Welcome to the world of my healing journey -- where literally anything goes.

"She charges way too much," I complain to my mom. "Stop with how much she charges, and just do it," she barks back. "She might help you." My mother secretly loves psychic encounters, especially when it's not her life (ah, isn't it always more fun that way?).

My appointment is at 2:45 p.m. on the phone. Dr. B is in southern California and I'm not geographically close right now, which makes me have to stretch my good attitude just a little further to believe there is a chance my energy will travel 350 miles away. This has come about all thanks to a test. One measly test that has now left myself and my doctors debating if I should go back on my antibiotics. Oh, how I have a love-hate relationship with lab results. The fascinated-with-science girl in me loves to see my labs. But, the intuitive, more spirited side hates to see anything on paper. It's not all about numbers, I think to myself. They have to be wrong sometimes.

I have been off of antibiotics for six glorious weeks now. It's five-and-a-half weeks longer than I've ever been able to do it. Dr. Geeta Shroff wanted me to get a follow-up CD57 test done to compare to the one I got when I first arrived back in the states.

The CD57 is a type of immune function cell that belongs to the group of cells called Natural Killer Cells. It is said that the Lyme bacteria is the only organism known at this time to suppress that specific type of cell (CD57).

This test would tell Dr. Geeta Shroff if I should go back on my antibiotics as maintenance. The damage to my body from over the years is being repaired by the stem cells, but we don't want any Lyme undoing their hard work. The previous test, less than four weeks prior was normal for the first time ever (although hardly stellar for a Lyme patient). Anything above 60 is technically in normal range. Mine was on the dot at 60. Anything below 200 indicates the patient has a strong chance of relapse. Sixty leaves a lot of room to go, but normal is a better start than I've ever had. When I was first diagnosed with Lyme Disease in February of 2007 and took the test, it was 17.

After just about a month off of antibiotics, the CD57 is below normal -- again.

Since it's believed that the Lyme bacteria suppresses the CD57 cells, it could be concluded that the lower the CD57 number, the more active the Lyme infection is. Of course, that is if only we could go on numbers alone. But, we can't.

I'm still on zero pain meds, no sleeping meds, no heart medication, and the list goes on.

The guessing game continues. Antibiotics or not?

Dr B. is friendly, and quick to pick up on things. I give her almost no background on my medical history, but I do tell her I just got back from India after receiving embryonic stem cells treatments. She begins giving me her insights with very little information. Maybe my voice carries energy well. Or, maybe she really does know her stuff.

She almost immediately tells me that she is "getting" that one of my co-infections (which is a parasite called Babesia), is active. This is not good, but I had a feeling it would take more time for this problem to resolve (they use malaria meds to treat this). The other one I've struggled so hard and long with is not there. And there is NO Lyme, she tells me confidently. Not there? Like, at all? "I don't get it at all," she says. I feel like I keep asking the same question 20 different ways which forces her to repeat her answer. Hey, I'm paying. I can do it if I want, I think.

She rambles off a list of some other "issues." My liver sucks (not surprised after such heavy duty antibiotic therapy), I have mold problems (most Lyme patients do), there is a virus running around inside me (that can cause neuropathy type pain) which apparently garlic pills will help, and my body isn't absorbing nutrients properly (poor thing probably isn't doing anything exactly right after all it's been through). She adds that my thyroid is still weak, along with my adrenals and a couple of other things. It's all going to take time. Patience, patience, patience.

Then, she tells me something I love to hear. "I feel like you were so much worse before the stem cells. They are doing their job. Going back in July is going to help you continue to heal." I realize suddenly now that I don't have a slew of symptoms draining my attention, I can focus on the core things that have really slipped my mind. My liver. My kidneys. My stomach (oh, my tortured on antibiotics stomach). All the amazing organs inside that took a beating through years of treatments to try to get me well. It's been too easy to forget about them. If they don't cause an obvious problem, I assume they are fine. Dr. B reminds me otherwise and it's given me new outlook. It's taken some pressure off of me for the times I feel more tired than I think I should be or there is some subtle sign of imperfection in my body. She asks me if I've been fatigued. Apparently, my liver is speaking to her (being tired is one of the major symptoms of a taxed liver). She tells me that's where it's coming from when I answer, "Actually, I have now that you mention it." It feels good to say it out loud. I feel totally safe in realizing it and telling her; someone who won't jump on it and shout "Lyme!" I'm still learning what normalcy is. I've forgotten. Do normal people always feel great or do things go off kilter for them too sometimes? My gauge has been altered for so long. I'm having to re-establish all parameters -- another thing I never saw coming.

I know intuitively I'm well. I guess it's going to take a little practice to remember I'm human too. I often feel like the world is watching me, questioning every nap I take, every time I stop for a breather. It doesn't keep me from doing it -- it's my lesson in listening. My baby stem cells still have so much time to grow into their capacity. There is no rush anymore. I am already ahead. The race is over. I have to remind myself of this, and quite often. I have stopped slipping backwards. Time is FINALLY on my side.

If Dr. B had felt Lyme was a problem, my Lyme doctor would have wanted me to go back on antibiotics. He was hesitant to use the lab result with how great I've been doing. The co-infection that is of concern is treated with another type of drug. Something has made me put off ordering the needles and mixing solution for my intramuscular antibiotic shots. Maybe I knew deep down it wouldn't come to that. Dr. B is insistent there is no bacteria load so it makes no sense to take antibiotics. Plus, my organs need a vacation. I picture them telling her so.

Now, how can I explain to Dr. Geeta Shroff and Dr. Ashish that I've been to a sort of Lyme psychic and she says I'm fine and don't need them? They are going to think I'm nuts. But, I'm going with my gut on this one (and no, I wouldn't have believed anything she said).

I feel better about spending "way too much" money on her now. I asked very few questions but one was about my hormones. I notice a couple of differences in my body and my Lyme doctor thought I should get a comprehensive hormone panel done just to confirm everything was ok -- a test that I hear costs nearly $500.

Dr. B says my hormones are perfectly fine. I believe her too. She says that the stem cells have helped stimulate my body to produce some extra estrogen, just like in pregnancy. I'm gonna skip the super expensive hormone testing. Suddenly, I feel like she was a great deal. I just saved a bundle by putting a little faith in some not-so-typical method. She may have cost some money but by clearing things up, she saved me some too (for now). I'm sure Lyme patients reading this will laugh, because they know exactly what I mean. If you come out even $100 ahead when you've seen a doctor, it is a good day.

Today, it seems I've come out Lyme free too! Aside from my lab tests proving it to me (which I think will happen over time), it is beyond priceless. Thanks for yelling at me mom and making me keep the appointment. It kills me, but you really are always right.

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About Amy B. Scher

A passionate author, pioneering patient, and sassy spirit with just enough sweetness to get me by, I live by my self-created motto: when life kicks your ass, kick back.Amy B. Scher's profile Amy B. Scher's blog