Congressional Meetings

It went really well, but it was exhausting. I don't think I've done so much walking in such a long time. I was winded (and in fact I still am very winded). We split up into three groups. One group was lead by my doctor. He walked with a huge Lyme advocate that sees the amazing Dr. J in SC and also one of his patients who also has Lyme Disease. Another group was lead by another patient of his who has Lyme. She walked with another couple of Lyme patients both of whom see my doctor. And then there was my husband and I who were escorted by my nurse practitioner.

Many of the offices of the congressmen were empty. They were in meetings or out for lunch. However, we were able to talk to a few people who were not only interested in the bill that we were there for, but also interested in Lyme Disease. My husband and I were especially wanting to meet the senator that emailed me. He wasn't in, but his secretary had just read my letter. She was very interested in my story and wanted to know more. While I was in the office, the phone rang. She insisted I stick around so she could talk to me more about Lyme Disease and Integrative Medicine. So we waited and then talked to her. Shortly after, we called my nurse in so she could talk more specifics about the bill. We went back later to see if he was in the office and he was. We talked to him for about 10 minutes and he said he would sign yes on the bill!

In the second building, we made an effort to find the office of the senator of our county. We went in and he was out at lunch, but his secretary wanted to know why we had stopped by. She would let him know. Well as I'm explaining that I had written him a letter, I realized that my letter was sitting right there on top of her pile of paper work. As I was saying, "I wrote Senator ----- a letter about my difficulties in getting diagnosed with Lyme Disease and how integrative medicine has helped me," she asked if I was Jennifer. She had just read my letter right before I walked through the door. She talked with us for a good 15 minutes and said that she was certain that he would sign yes on the bill when it was introduced. That another Senator had brought his letter over to the office for him to read because it was such a compelling story. So the letter on my Senator's desk was actually another Senator for a different county.

My Senator hadn't received his letter yet because he hadn't gone home to retrieve it. How amazing is it that they had just read the letter before I walked into the office?!?

I am very exhausted from the very busy day. I hope I made an impact on some important people because my body is going to pay for it. I'm not sure if it's allergies from tree pollen or if it's just a standard cold or if it's turning into a sinus infection or if I picked something up from the hospital on Sunday, but I am very exhausted and winded. It's difficult to breathe, but not enough to really be concerned. If I'm still having trouble in the morning, I may stop by to check my oxygen level after work and to let them listen to my lungs. I empathize with my CF friends today because I am struggling with every single breath. Pray that my body shapes up and my immune system starts fighting this mess.

I almost forgot the most exciting (er nervewracking) part. So I get to my doctor's office and there is a office full of people in the waiting room. One lady with a camera, two gentlemen that would be going with us, one lady that would be going with us and a patient that was waiting for her IV treatment. So I sat down next to the camera lady (thinking that she was going with us to Legislative Building) and Rob sat on the other side (there were no two seats side by side). A few minutes later, Dr. P comes out and motions for the photographer to come back. Then a few minutes later, he opens the door and motions for me. I was confused, but went back with my husband. He then informed me that the Triangle Business Journal was taking photos for the Journal and wanted pictures of him and one of his patients. He thought I would be perfect and to come on back for my photo OP. OMG ... they took my picture with my doctor and my nurse! Then another photo of us looking at supplements! *gasp* Glad I didn't wear jeans & a tshirt!