Lyme Disease

During this beautiful time of year, I find myself spending much more time outside doing projects in the yard, playing with the kids, and just enjoying the sights and sounds of late spring. So I wasn't surprised about a week and a half ago when I found a tick on my back. I was the only grown up at home, so I pulled it out myself while looking in the mirror and using my left hand. I was surprised when 8 days later, I checked it out in the mirror because it had been itchy and I saw the big red target shaped circle around it. I knew right away that it was Lyme Disease, having read all about it when my kids have had encounters with ticks. I looked up info about it, and after reading that it can cause permanent tissue, heart, facial paralysis or nerve damage I wanted to get it looked at right away. This was on Sunday, so I went to an after hours doctors office, and sure enough-- it is Lyme Disease. I was chastised by the doctor who treated me because I don't have my own primary care doctor. He seemed fairly concerned, and he gave me a prescription for a very aggressive dosing of antibiotics. I am confident that the antibiotics will do the job, and it will be life as usual for me. Mainly, I am thankful that this happened to me instead of one of my kids, or I would be a nervous wreck. I am not going to spend my life indoors out of fear of tick bites, but I will be more diligent about using repellant and checking those places that I don't see often (like my back). I am also going to get a good primary care doctor, so if you have a good recommendation for a practice around here, pass it on.