hopeful passages in the Bible and
praying together. Besides the Smiths’
church, several other churches in the
community had Dana on their prayer
lists.
“We could feel the prayers,” Carolyn
said, her eyes filling. “That is what
guided us. We are so grateful to this
community, our family, neighbors,
friends and our church, Trinity
Ecumenical Parish, and Tami, our
church nurse, for all their prayers and
support.”
One morning in June of 2012,
during a desperate period in Dana’s
treatment, Carolyn was praying her
daughter would recover. Her prayers led
her to a Bible verse, which she shared
with Dana.
“But I will restore you to health
and heal your wounds, declares the
Lord.”(Jeremiah 30:17)
Dana’s prayers were not just for
healing. She was worried about the toll
on her parents. She prayed for help
with the financial burden, although her
parents assured her that her health
was worth far more than the cost of
the treatments. God, they vowed, was
going to make them stronger as a
family because of what they were going
through.
The week after she had prayed,
a beautiful, anonymous “Get Well”
card came in the mail with a generous
donation to help fund part of Dana’s
medical expenses. The card was
signed “Some of your many friends at
Smith Mountain Lake.” Inside the card
was the same Bible verse Carolyn had
shown to Dana.
Dana’s eyes welled with emotion
as she related the experience. It was
another sign, the family believed, that
God would heal Dana and take care of
them. Within a couple of weeks, after
the donation had arrived, Dana was
watching a sermon on TV and that
same Bible verse was featured. Then, a
couple of months later, a friend brought
flowers and a card and the same Bible
verse inside.
“I believe God was giving me hope
and confirming that He would heal me,”
Dana says.
Dana was on the I V antibiotic
treatment for seven months. This had
followed six months of oral antibiotics
with two other Lyme disease doctors.
Finally, her little body could not tolerate
another single treatment. The medicine
was making her sicker than the disease.
With the approval of the Jemsek
Clinic, Dana has transitioned off all
antibiotics and medications, a little
earlier than most patients. She is
currently using a natural treatment
involving herbs and diet to finish her
healing. She is working with Herbalist
Danielle Eavenson, whom they found
through the Roanoke Natural Food
Co-op, and Nutritionist Liz Moore,
recommended by their friend, Terri
Shore.
Dana, now 25 years old, is still
healing. Although it will take one or
two years before she is cured, she is
doing so much better than a year ago.
She can drive her car again, and loves
being out in the sun. She even does a
little grocery shopping. Along with her
mother, Dana has made a lifestyle
change in the way they cook and what
they eat. Although it is difficult at times
to adhere to the diet, “It is so worth
it,” they both say. Carolyn’s symptoms
too have eased and she is enjoying
gardening and landscaping again.
“We have learned some important
life lessons on our journey with Lyme,”
Carolyn says, “First andmost important,
we know God is the greatest physician
and prayer the best medicine. We also
learned that healing requires patience
and humility. We need to learn to
respect and embrace nature, rather
than fight or fear it. Our message to
others who have Lyme disease is to
have hope – Lyme disease is treatable
and you can get your life back.”
Both women want to help others
avoid getting Lyme disease and for
those who have it to receive early
treatment. They believe this will be
done through education and with God’s
help. They are considering starting a
local Lyme support group once they
have healed and have their strength
back.
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