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Sherri Connell

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You are here: Home / Archives for lyme disease

Birthday Trip … To the ER!

July 16, 2019 By Sherri

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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Filed Under: Fighting for My Life Tagged With: bulging disc, emergency room, heart condition, lyme disease, mri, multiple sclerosis, paralysis, pneumonia, xray

It’s True! Lyme IS Hell!

May 5, 2016 By Sherri

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

Filed Under: Awareness, In the Media, Making a Difference, Reaching Out to Others Tagged With: awareness, awareness month, chronic illness and pain, commercial, inflammation, invisible disabilities, lyme awareness, lyme disease, lyme disease awareness month, lyme education, lyme is hell, lyme psa, lyme video, neurological, personal story, psa, video

I’m the Pajama Goat Lady

March 23, 2016 By Sherri

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!


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♡ Sherri


 

Filed Under: Fighting for My Life, The Truth Tagged With: activities of daily living, chronic illness, chronic illness and pain, cookie, exhaustion, fatigue, goats, ill, injury, invisible disabilities, just for fun, lyme disease, mobility, multiple sclerosis, pain, personal story, pumpkin, sick, the adventures of pumpkin and cookie

Sherri Brings Awareness to Lyme in May

May 22, 2015 By Sherri

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:


Filed Under: Awareness, In the Media, Making a Difference, Reaching Out to Others Tagged With: Ashley Olsen, Avril Lavigne, awareness, Ben Stiller, Candice Accola, chronic illness and pain, Daryl Hall, Debbie Gibson, education, George W. Bush, Huffington Post, HuffPost LIVE, inspirational, invisible disabilities, Jane Alexander, joseph aquilino, Karen allen, lyme disease, medical, Parker, personal story, podcast, Posey, radio, Richard Gere, WIRN Radio, Yolanda Foster

Sherri’s Website Gets New Look

January 17, 2015 By Sherri

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
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The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
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Filed Under: Thoughts for the Day Tagged With: awareness, chronic illness and pain, counting my blessings, environmental illness, friends and family, humor, invisible disabilities, just for fun, lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story, relationships, the adventures of pumpkin and cookie, traumatic brain injury, video

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

April 1, 2014 By Sherri

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!!

Filed Under: Humor and Fun, Living My Life Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, environmental illness, humor, invisible disabilities, just for fun, lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, personal story

Speaking at the Invisible Disabilities Association Awards Night!

March 2, 2014 By Sherri

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!

Filed Under: Awareness, Making a Difference Tagged With: awareness, chronic illness and pain, environmental illness, friends and family, invisible disabilities, invisible disabilities association, lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story, relationships, traumatic brain injury, video

I Miss Working!

December 1, 2013 By Sherri

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.

Filed Under: Thoughts for the Day Tagged With: chronic illness and pain, disabled, environmental illness, grief, invisible disabilities, loss, lyme disease, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story

Another Tribulation for My Family

February 19, 2013 By Sherri

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.

Filed Under: Grief and Tribulations, Living My Life Tagged With: cancer, Deb Elliott, family, fundraiser, Jim Mitchell, lyme disease, medical bills, multiple chemical sensitivities, multiple sclerosis, personal story, traumatic brain injury

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

December 22, 2012 By Sherri

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

Filed Under: Awareness, But I LOOK Good, Fighting for My Life, In the Media, Making a Difference Tagged With: awareness, chronic illness and pain, environmental illness, family, friends and family, humor, invisible disabilities, lyme disease, multiple sclerosis, non profit organization, outreach, personal story, relationships, television, video

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About Me

About Me

I am a singer, dancer, actress, model. ... Oh wait! That was my life BEFORE Lyme Disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Traumatic Brain Injury and Chemical Injury. Join me on my pursuit to find joy in the midst of loss and pain! The one thing I certainly still have in this life is my humor! I hope you enjoy my blog full of information about living with disabling illness, pain and loss, as well as counting my blessings and just being plain silly!

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In the Media with Sherri

In the Media with Sherri

TELEVISION: Tick Bite Changed My Life Forever
PARENT MAGAZINE: Living w/ Invisible Disability
FORBES MAGAZINE: Break Down the Barriers
AUDIO: Living with Late-Chronic Lyme Disease
AUDIO: Marriage with Chronic Illness
AUDIO: Reaching Out to Others
VIDEO: What to Say, Not to Say, How to Help

Tick Bite Changed My Life

Living with Debilitating Illness and Pain

We Can All Make a Difference

Friendship Over Fragrances

MCS with Pluto and Minnie

MCS Can Be Lonely

Snickers the Amazing Alert Dog

Show Someone You Love Them

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie

The Adventures of Pumpkin and Cookie
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Pumpkin Plots Mission Impossible

Pumpkin and Cookie Litter-box Trained

Pumpkin and Cookie Jump and Slide

Additional Favorite Websites

Calvary Chapel Aurora - Ed Taylor
Cleaner Indoor Air Campaign
Invisible Disabilities Association (IDA)
Invisible Disabilities Community
IDA on Facebook
IDA on YouTube
Where Is God Ministries

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