Hidden Struggles Behind the Smile: Living with Unexpected Chronic Pain

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A single tick bite in July 2023 changed everything. What began as a hopeful retirement transition into full-time artistry and business ownership has evolved into an unexpected battle with chronic pain and debilitating joint inflammation.

When I woke up one morning unable to move my neck, then months later found myself completely immobilized with swollen hands and wrists, my world turned upside down. The diagnosis finally came: stage four long-term Lyme disease. For someone whose livelihood and passion depend on the ability to hold a pen, paintbrush, or knitting yarns, this revelation was devastating. How do you continue creating when your hands—your primary tools—betray you?

The journey has been humbling. From the initial misdiagnosis (just need a new pillow!) to the parade of specialists, treatments, and testing, I've learned that our bodies can change our plans in an instant. Yet through it all, I've discovered the power of persistence, the importance of community, and the absolute necessity of transparency. Behind every smile in my store lies a story of morning medication rituals, compression gloves, and the constant negotiation between creative ambition and physical limitation.

My experience offers a crucial lesson: if you're ever bitten by a tick, don't wait for the bullseye rash. Push for immediate testing and treatment—it could save you years of suffering. As I navigate this unexpected chapter while preparing for my daughter's wedding and my husband's art exhibition, I'm learning to redefine success and embrace a new normal. Have you ever faced an unexpected health crisis that threatened your dreams? How did you adapt when life threw you its cruelest curveball?

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