Heal Thy Self

Illness is an interesting journey.

 

I managed to escape COVID so far until late last week, but that's not entirely what this image is about. This is something I've been wanting to portray somehow for a while, and being in quarantine again had me thinking about it.

 

I got Lyme Disease some years back, defined here by the CDC:

"Lyme disease is caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi and rarely, Borrelia mayonii. It is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks. Typical symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue, and a characteristic skin rash called erythema migrans."

 

Those symptoms are what can be (but not always) noticeable when the infection first happens, but the possibility for damage and the scope of that damage changes depending on how much time passes between being infected and being treated. Time also complicates the efficacy of treatment, and how much medication may be necessary to kill off the infection. If you're curious about what other symptoms there can be, there's a lot of resources on the interwebs. I'll spare folks that bit here.

 

The bacteria is still detectable in my system, though no longer considered active or alive, thanks to the treatment I went through. My GP and I estimated though that based on symptoms, I likely had it for between 3 and 5 years before she caught and treated it. It affected many systems in my body, and continues to impact me now.

 

Getting other illnesses on top of all the other stuff that's going on with my body tends to amplify a lot of that underlying stuff. Thankfully I've had 4 vaccinations, so my experience with COVID has likely been a lot better than it would otherwise have been. Getting the 'rona has definitely flared up a few existing things for me so far though, and because of that stuff, I'm aware of the possibility that I may remain in a flared up state for a while even after I test negative.

 

One thing I've learned through my chronic illness journey is that it's important to advocate for yourself. You actually kinda have no choice, and there's a lot of work to do, hence my portrayal as both provider and patient.

 

Heal thy self, right?

 

Head: Lelutka - Halle

Body: Maitreya - Lara

Skin: MAZE - Frankie skin - Tintable version

Hair: Wasabi Pills - Jen

Cap: Statura - Nurse's Cap (textured by me)

Dress: Apple Blossom - Mera

Stethoscope: [CX] Vicious Vaccine - Stethoscope ( Black )

IV bag & line: Insomnia Angel - Rose pickled blood pack [poison]

Shoes: West Coast Influenced - T-Strap Wingtip

Rings: (Yummy) - True Rebel Ring Set - Maitreya

Fishnets: {Nena} - Fishnet Tights v1

Lips: Magnetic - Lipstick Smear

Room: ANTINATURAL[+] Hospital for Souls / Hydrotherapy room

Lights: [inZoxi] - CC2 Tri-light (tinted by me)

Lamps: Apple Fall - Joanne Crystal Lamp (tinted)

Gurnie: Aquatica Mesh - AM025361 Guerney bed and Bodyboard

Done