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Birthday Trip … To the ER!

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Really wanted to go somewhere fun for my birthday week. … This isn’t it! … Going home soon. Long explanation I don’t care to expound on. No, I have not been OK and I’m not OK. Haven’t shared and don’t want to share on Facebook. They asked if I wanted to stay. Said no. Goodnight.

UPDATE 7/29: Thank you everyone, for your wonderful thoughts and prayers. I am so sorry I have not replied to everyone individually. The short answer is, no I am not feeling better. I live with unfathomable flu-like symptoms and pain every day. In addition, I have been dealing with overwhelming stress and crisis after crisis after crisis with my mom, which has caused me to feel like I am going to have a heart attack or stroke several times a week for the past 2.5 years. On top of that, I have been battling several other serious conditions for almost a year and it has been 7 months I have been in non-stop horrific agony in which my bones, tissues and muscles are being demolished. Please keep me in your prayers. 

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Sherri is determined to tell the world about Lyme Disease! SherriConnell.com

It’s True! Lyme IS Hell!

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Sherri is determined to tell the world about Lyme Disease! SherriConnell.com

MAY IS LYME DISEASE AWARENESS MONTH!

Wow! I am in awe of this most excellent PSA created by the Lyme is Hell campaign! This video illustrates in a very illuminating and impacting way that Lyme devastates and destroys lives for months, years and even decades!

I got Lyme at the age of 14, from a tick bite. I immediately started having chronic headaches and infections. At 19, I started having balance issues and paralysis. By 27, I was paralyzed from the ribs down and so sick I could hardly move. I lost my career, house, horse and most of my friends. I went from singing and dancing in musicals, acting in commercials and working as an accounts manager to being unable to care for my daily needs.

People need to know about Lyme Disease, because most of the time, it is not caught in regular testing when trying to find a person’s diagnosis. For me, it took 14 years for me to get a diagnosis. What’s more, way too often, people are diagnosed with something else, even though they actually have Lyme. Catching it in the early stage is imperative to successful treatment. See this great Lyme Resource Page!

Lyme is Hell PSA:

Watch all of Sherri’s Videos from Silly Sherri Productions!

Read Sherri’s Lyme Story!

Read more about Sherri’s Lyme Awareness!

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♡ Sherri

Sherri’s Interview with HuffPost LIVE from Huffington Post: Read full story.

Sherri’s Interview with WIRN Internet Radio:

Sherri Speaks at the Invisible Disabilities Association Gala:

Additional Videos from Sherri:

Lyme Disease Movie Trailer, Under Our Skin:

Lyme Disease Awareness Photos from Sherri:

 Watch all of Sherri’s Videos from Silly Sherri Productions!
#lymeishell #lymeawareness #lymedisease #lymepsa #lymecommercial
Pajama Drawer

I’m the Pajama Goat Lady

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Pajama Drawer

My new Physical Therapist, whom I saw for the third time yesterday asked me, “So, how many pairs of these ‘lounge pants’ do you have??” I told him, “Oh boy! About 15!”

People don’t realize I wear pajamas day in and day out, because it is extremely difficult and energy zapping to change clothes and an all day process to shower and wash my hair.

I even wear them outside on the patio with my goats! My neighbors probably don’t just call me the Goat Lady, but the Pajama Goat Lady! LOL!

HEY! Just trying to survive over here! Gotta do what I gotta do!

Have you subscribed to my blog yet? Are you following me on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Google+ and Pinterest? What are you waiting for?

Simply go to the top right side-bar to follow me!

♡ Sherri

 

Super Sherri is bringing awareness about Lyme Disease to the world! SherriConnell.com

Sherri Brings Awareness to Lyme in May

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Super Sherri is bringing awareness about Lyme Disease to the world - SherriConnell.comI got Lyme at the age of 14, from a tick bite. I immediately started having chronic headaches and infections. At 19, I started having balance issues and paralysis. By 27, I was paralyzed from the ribs down and so sick I could hardly move.

Decades and countless treatments later, I am still unable to care for my own daily, survival needs and am literally fighting for my life! Read the rest of my Lyme Story.

Did you know that many celebrities have battled Lyme Disease? For example, Avril Lavigne, Richard Gere, Debbie Gibson, Daryl Hall, Yolanda Foster, Ben Stiller, Parker Posey, Karen Allen, Jane Alexander, George W. Bush, Candice Accola, Ashely Olsen and more.
Gere said,
This is one scary disease. I felt as though every ounce of strength had gone from my body… Just turning my head to see the time on the clock was a major operation. I felt as if my life was going in slow motion (18 Celebrities…).
Hall said,
“It can make you wanna die if you’re not dead.” He has also said that the lack of widespread recognition of the severity of chronic Lyme (as opposed to just acute Lyme) is “almost a bad joke” to anyone who actually suffers from it (18 Celebrities…)
I want to bring awareness to Lyme and other debilitating conditions, so that others will not have to suffer the lifelong battles that I have had to endure nearly my entire life by receiving proper treatment early. I also want to bring encouragement and tips!
  • Keep fighting!
  • There are tons of mainstream and alternative treatments out there that are helping people with early to late-stage Lyme.
  • Clean up your diets! Many foods cause inflammation and/or feed the Lyme.
  • Clean up your environment! Rid your homes and bodies of chemicals that attack the nervous and immune systems (paints, stains, new carpets, cleaning products, air fresheners, smoke, perfume, chemically fragranced laundry, personal products, etc).
  • Create a support system (meet others living with similar challenges, see a counselor if needed, find a Lyme Literate Doctor).
  • Find a passion that gives you joy and feelings of accomplishment.
  • Focus on daily blessings and achievements, no matter how small.
  • Try to stay positive, because our attitudes impact our immune system.
  • Reach out to others with validation, a listening ear and compassion.
  • Don’t let go of who you are.
  • Know that you are valuable, worthwhile and have purpose no matter how limited you are.
  • Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
  • BELIEVE in yourself!
Sherri’s Interview with HuffPost LIVE from Huffington Post: Read full story.

Sherri’s Interview with WIRN Internet Radio:

Sherri Speaks at the Invisible Disabilities Association Gala:

Lyme Disease Movie Trailer, Under Our Skin:

Lyme Disease Awareness Photos from Sherri:

Additional Videos from Sherri:


New Look Sherri's Website www.SherriConnell

Sherri’s Website Gets New Look

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New Look Sherri's Website www.SherriConnell

Wayne gave Sherri’s website a new look! Check it out, share and subscribe to her blogs!

Sherri Connell’s Blogs and Sites
www.SherriConnell.com
www.Twitter.com/Lifetime27Years
www.YouTube.com/ButILookGood
https://plus.Google.com/+SherriConnell
www.Pinterest.com/ButILookGood

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
www.PumpkinAndCookie.com
www.Facebook.com/PumpkinAndCookie
www.Twitter.com/PumpkinNCookie
https://plus.Google.com/+PumpkinAndCookie
www.YouTube.com/PumpkinAndCookie

I Quit This Job of Living with Illness and Pain. SherriConnell.com

I’m Quitting This Job of Living with Illness and Getting a New One!

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I Quit This Job of Living with Illness and Pain. SherriConnell.comI have made a big decision today. I am quitting my 24 x 7 job of fighting for my life, which COSTS me money and getting a new job that’s just 40 hours a week that PAYS me money!

I am giving up spending all day every day doing therapies, doctor appointments, spending time in waiting rooms, time getting testing, filing insurance claims, paying doctor bills and preparing special diet foods for a job that pays $85,000 a year!

By next year, we should be able to pay off my bills, move to a new home and start going on some vacations! Wow! Why didn’t I do this many years ago?

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April FOOLS! Don’t I wish I had that choice!!

Sherri Connell Speaking at Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Night

Speaking at the Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Night!

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The moment you all have been waiting for!! OK maybe not, but here it is! The video of me speaking at the 2013 Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Night. Special thanks to CBS4 Ed Greene for helping me out!

I Miss Working www.SherriConnell

I Miss Working!

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I Miss Working www.SherriConnell

 

I guess the biggest things I miss about work are being healthy, being able to get up in the morning, shower and dress, getting a lot done, spending time with people, feeling accomplishment and getting a paycheck.

Instead, I am at home, in pain, feeling like I have the flu and my job is to do my physical therapy, try to get my food, make doctor appointments, go to doctor appointments, file insurance claims and try to wash my hair once in a while. Not only am I missing a paycheck, but I get lots of medical bills instead.

2011 Mitchells

Another Tribulation for My Family

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2011 Mitchells smIn the past 18 months our family has been through some very serious tribulations. As you may know, I fight for my life daily due to Progressive Multiple Sclerosis, Chronic-Late Lyme Disease, Chemical Injury and Brain Injury.

In 2011, our mom, Carole was diagnosed with lung cancer. She is still battling it and we are both unable to care for our daily needs.

Later in 2011, our brother, Jim, unexpectedly passed away. Our family has been in deep mourning for his loss. Jim was one of those men who was always there for his family and friends. He was our champion, protector and I can’t even begin to express what a hole he has left in our lives.

Now, in December 2012, my sister was diagnosed with cancer. At first, they thought removing the tumors and having treatment would be the plans. But after her surgery, there was concern about the lymph nodes. She underwent a mastectomy and had over 20 lymph nodes removed (about half were malignant).

Jim Banquet 2011Everyone who knows my sister, knows she is a very strong and courageous woman! What some may not realize is that she is the glue that keeps everyone together. She is the one who “gets things done” in our family, with her grand-kids, friends and in her business. She is Superwoman!

Like many, with the economy, Deb and her husband’s businesses have been down (she is a graphic artist and he owns a drywall company). However, now they also have the added burdens of medical bills, deductibles, co-pays, coinsurance and expensive out of pocket medications.

Currently, she is now receiving chemo. As many experience, she lost her hair and struggles with debilitating fatigue, which is cutting further into her work and time with family.

I am trying to set up a fundraiser for my sister on Indiegogo. Thank you so much for considering helping me help my sister get through yet another major life challenge for our family.

A Tick Bite Changed My Life Forever - Huffington Post 12-12-2012 Set 2

Tick Bite Changed My Life Forever: Video Interview Huffpost LIVE / Huffington Post

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Holy Toledo! How cool is this! HuffPost LIVE by The Huffington Post, produced and broadcast a video segment about my story! The show was titled, “A Tick Bite Changed My Life Forever” which was hosted by Nancy Redd.

Immediately, my video segment got over 119,000 views and it continued to get thousands of view on their website and AOL!

Although I mention Lyme, the interview is really about ALL living with debilitating illness and pain, no matter what their diagnosis. Most of all, it is about helping friends and family better understand.

The Huffington Post wrote:

Sherri Connell, who suffers from Multiple Sclerosis & Lyme Disease, and her husband Wayne Connell, the Founder & President of Invisible Disabilities Association, joined HuffPost Live to tell Nancy Redd Sherri’s story of contracting her illnesses through a tick bite and how they have turned it into a positive thing by founding an organization to help those with disabilities.

“When I was fourteen I was bit by a tick but at the time I didn’t know it,” Connell told Redd. “But, I started feeling chronic pain soon after.”

“I fell in love with her and we got married in ’94. And in ’96 she coined the phrase, “Invisible disabilities,” said her husband Connell.

HuffPost LIVE created this show from the original video interview and article on 12-12-12, with Wayne Connell (my hubby), the founder and president of the Invisible Disabilities Association, our friend, Karyn Buxman, RN, MSN, another guest, Elsa Sjunneson-Henry and me. The show was titled, “Not Handicapped Enough.”

RESOURCES

Invisible Disabilities Association

HuffPost LIVE

The Huffington Post

Not Handicapped Enough

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