For almost two decades, I was misdiagnosed, gaslit and told it was all in my head. By the time I finally got the diagnosis of Lyme disease, I had already spent over $12,000 just to hear those 3 words "You Have Lyme" And that’s just the start.
But those years of misdiagnosis didn’t just cost me money they cost me my health.
Being ignored and untreated for so long allowed Lyme to progress into late-stage lyme disease, leading to irreversible damage and the development of other invisible illnesses. Now, there is no cure only the hope of remission. And the treatments, medications and supplements are the only things keeping me alive.
Along with Lyme, I also tested positive for Babesia and Bartonella these are two co-infections that make Lyme even harder to treat. Imagine having malaria-like symptoms from Babesia and psychiatric symptoms from Bartonella, all while your body is already fighting Lyme.
Now, this is my reality:
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A mountain of supplements that cost more than a month’s rent.
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Protocols that constantly change, each one promising to be the miracle cure.
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Blood sugar drops that leave me shaking, weak and terrified.
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Doctors who disappear when the treatment doesn’t work.
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A healthcare system that refuses to acknowledge chronic Lyme and its co-infections even exist.
💊 This is what it takes just to stay alive. 💊
Look at the photo... every single bottle you see costs money I don’t have. Every dropper, capsule, powder, tincture is another shot at feeling like a human being for just one more day.
But people don’t see that. They just see me and say, “But you look fine.” They have no idea what it takes to get through a single day. Invisible illness sucks!
Why Am I Sharing This?
Because awareness matters. Because people with chronic illnesses are drowning in medical debt and gaslit into silence. Because if I don’t speak up, people will keep thinking Lyme is just a rash and a couple of antibiotics.
And because every single sale in my Etsy shop isn’t just another piece of jewelry it’s a dose of supplements, a lab test and another day I can keep going.
But Why Etsy? Why Not Just Get a Job?
Because Etsy is the only way I can work on my terms. I can make jewelry on days when my body isn’t completely shut down. I can work in bed, in my pajamas, between flares and crashes. I can take a break when the pain is too much and pick it up again when I can breathe through it.
A regular job? Impossible. My symptoms are unpredictable and debilitating. Some days I can barely get out of bed, let alone stick to a schedule. And when you’re this sick, no one wants to hire you.
That’s why every piece of jewelry I make is more than just a product it’s a lifeline, a way to keep fighting and keep surviving.
💚 Shop to Support:
If you’d like to help me keep fighting, please consider shopping my jewelry. Every piece you buy is another lifeline in this fight for my health.
💚 Use code WARRIOR15 to save 15% off your order.
SHOP MY WEBSITE: www.michelleannjewelry.com
SHOP MY ETSY SHOP: https://michelleannjewelry.etsy.com
Because in a world that pretends Lyme and its co-infections don’t exist, I’m still here. And I refuse to quit.
