​Every once in a while we are so astounded by the recovery from illness experienced by one of our patients that we feel the need to share their story. Recently we treated a patient for chronic Lyme Disease that she had dealt with for over a decade. Once the infection had been killed off, her continuing symptoms of fatigue, restriction of vision and movement, and complete exhaustion persisted. After receiving ongoing treatment at our centre, her recovery so impressed us that we asked her to share her experience for the benefit of others who may have experienced or are currently experiencing Lyme disease. Read about her road from illness to recovery below:

​Spring is coming, and with it Lyme Disease season, a time when the ticks that carry Borrelia burgdorferi re-emerge, cling to long grass and branches and wave their little legs in the air waiting for passing meals. I no longer walk in the woods or in grassy fields because of these ticks, I had Lyme Disease for 10 long years. After the bacteria were killed off by a grueling month-long i.v. treatment I was left with a recurring fatigue in the Spring and Fall so bone deep that I couldn't get out of bed at times. I'm very fortunate, when I reached the outer frontier of Western medicine I found Dr  Xiaolan and an older, more subtle medicine cured me of the last of my illness. I want to thank everyone at the clinic for the gift of strength, clear mindedness and health that I treasure every day.

In August 1990, after walking in the woods in Princeton, NJ, I pulled off and crushed a poppy seed-sized dot that had been on my leg. It was a Lyme Disease infected deer tick. Over the next decade I developed full blown Lyme Disease, despite taking the antibiotic given me at the local walk-in clinic. "We don't know which antibiotic to give right now." the doctor said apologetically. Back home in Toronto I gradually lost my memory, the use of my hands, my heart developed abnormal rhythms, I couldn't see properly, lost the ability to use any but the most basic words and had a fatigue so profound that going up stairs was the event of the day.

After years of tests, trials and no progress, in 2000 Dr Keystone, a wonderful Infectious Disease specialist, treated the Lyme bacterial infection with a month of powerful i.v. antibiotics. I was cured - but not completely, what remained has come to be known as post-Lyme syndrome or post-Lyme fatigue. In the Spring and the Fall, when the bacteria had previously migrated within my body, I was utterly exhausted, bedridden.

Western medicine had done as much as it could, my concerned doctors said there was nothing they could do for me, chronic problems like this are not the province of Western medicine. Then someone said "Try Traditional Chinese Medicine." I asked 3 people - "Who's the best?" All 3 said Dr Xiaolan. Interestingly, it didn't take long to rebalance me (I think that's what Dr Xiaolan did, I don't really understand TCM) and the effect was profound. After several months of faithfully following the protocol I just re-emerged as my old, pre-Lyme Disease self. It's deeply gratifying not to feel tired all the time, to be able to sleep through the night, to want to exercise, to be hungry when I should be - to be healthy, to be well.

Thank you Xiaolan, you gave me back my life. - Karen Visser*

​*Shared with Permission

​2017 is the year of the Fire Rooster in the Chinese zodiac. This is a year which will be characterized by renewal, restoration, and expansion. While many people found 2016 to be a difficult and exhausting year, a Rooster year (and in particular a Fire Rooster year) provides the opportunity to rise and thrive. Fire brings passion, creativity, joy, and success. It also brings hard work, but if you keep your composure and see through the challenges, you will be rewarded and will be better off than before. As we have in years past, we will rely on our astrologer friend, Susan Levitt, to elaborate and provide more insight into what this dynamic and exciting year will bring:

​Some translations refer to 2017 as Rooster year or Chicken year, but I use the translation Phoenix because it brings opportunities for rebirth and transformation. Phoenix year is fortunate for all Phoenixes, and for Phoenix’s most compatible signs Ox, Snake, and Dragon. Phoenix energy can, at times, be challenging for Rabbit. Phoenix correlates to the Western sign Virgo.

​Phoenix is a brilliant, inspirational, and fearless visionary. The element Fire is perfect for Phoenix because Fire brings strength, passion, bravery, and leadership. So now is the year to break free, claim your destiny, and overcome obstacles. You can heal past actions, even past lives, with your new awareness.

​Three tips for success are:

First, pay attention to your health. Not seen a dentist, or any type of delay in dealing with your health? This is the year to finally address health issues, not let it drag on. If you feel a bit exhausted after Fire Monkey 2016, then 2017 is especially time to focus on health, healing, and restoration. Same with your home. Time to clean out the old and unused, and live more efficiently in this Fire bird year.  

Second is to organize your finances. Deal with any debt, plan, budget, and be aware of your spending. Those born in Phoenix year are naturally very good at accounting, can find a bargain, and appreciate thrift as do Phoenix’s best friends Ox and Snake.
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Third is to work hard with focus. 2017 is the year to apply yourself in your career. Be persistent, yet flexible. This is not the time to goof off or take your job for granted. Phoenix year is work before play, so get organized and contribute on the job. For some, it may feel like beak to the grindstone with superiors criticizing or micromanaging.  But stay strong and do the work! Excuses will not be tolerated in a no-nonsense Phoenix year.

​Copyright 2017 Susan Levitt All Rights Reserved