As I approach the one-year mark of my return home from my first treatment in India, I am suddenly noticing more improvement – ironically, in areas I didn’t know I needed it. I jokingly refer to my stem cell therapy as the “gift that keeps on giving.” But really, it’s true.

Lately I have noticed memories, which seemed long gone from my brain, are flooding back to me. In the past two months, I have suddenly started remembering things that I haven’t thought of for years; a favorite quote, a memory of childhood, events that happened pre-illness or during, etc.

At first I thought it was a fluke, but as it continues to grab my attention, it has become very apparent that things are still changing in my brain. I knew healing had taken place because of my resolved balance issues, as well as the impressive changes in my brain scans (great scientific proof). But this is so new and exciting....and unexpected. In addition to my recent memory recollections, I have taken a renewed interest in reading; and I have just realized the reason. My reading comprehension has improved dramatically. I have had problems with reading comprehension since I was young and am very used to reading things several times in order for them to “sink in.” I am infamous for starting books and never finishing them. I can remember maybe finishing five books in my whole life. I used to write book reports for school from the back covers of the books. I’ve finished three books in the last two weeks; and I remember all of what I read.

These cognitive changes seemed to come on abruptly but I’m sure the changes in my brain from the stem cells have been “in the works” for quite some time. I love re-learning the lesson that just because you don’t see the manifestation of something, doesn’t mean it’s not happening (and that can go for any medical treatment). These changes have really made me re-examine the potential of hESC’s and the importance of the timeline of their growth in capacity. Patience is surely a virtue. It is amazing that it took a whole year for these changes to really take noticeable effect, but they are undoubtedly happening.

I continue to feel physically well despite having surgery yesterday to correct an issue associated with problematic menstrual cycles that make two weeks out of each month really painful and crappy for me. My confidence in my wellness has grown exponentially from even just months ago. It grows stronger every day. Any Lyme Disease patient (or physician) will tell you that any trauma to the body (surgery, or even something tiny like getting a cold, etc.) comes with the high risk of a relapse. Even Lyme patients who get well often live their lives like they are walking on a tight rope, trying every moment not to fall. But I have made a cognizant choice not to do that.

My surgery wasn’t an absolute emergency (yet), leaving some unhappy that I “took a chance.” But I have so moved beyond the fear, which is probably one of the most radical improvements to date. I deserve to feel great all month long. I don’t have to bargain for my health anymore. There is no safety or wellness trade off. I can have both.

Screw Lyme and all the fear that made my life so heavy on top of the actual physical illness. It was never welcome in the first place; and it certainly isn’t welcome now. I kissed it goodbye, good riddance and have already told it I’d never see it again. And a very strong voice inside me is telling me, I won’t.