October 2012
Songs and Photography of KT Pierce
KT Pierce...My StoryHello, friends. I am humbled by my invitation to be Inanna House’s Lyme Artist of the Month. I look forward to sharing a piece of my story with you all and connecting with other Lymies. I hope that you are able to relate and feel somewhat understood by what I’ve gone through. I’ve found that the virtual online Lymie circle is the greatest support group I’ve found anywhere. You all are so precious to me and in a way, this disease has been a blessing in that I’ve found so many wonderful people and I’ve discovered so many things about myself that have, in turn, helped me to become a better person than I might’ve been without it.
I have no real way of knowing when I received that unfortunate tick bite, but I can say that in 1999, when I was 19 years old, I was with my best friend in the woods in Alabama where she was bitten by a tick. She had a bull's eye rash on her cheek or jaw (if my memory serves me right) and was diagnosed around one month after her symptoms began . (I’ve read that less than 50% of people diagnosed with Lyme Disease are lucky enough to receive the indicating bull's eye rash.) |
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I played fast-pitch softball for 11 years, I was on the swim team, I roller skated, I marched in the flag corps, I hiked, I camped, I was a hyper-active girl with a silly streak who once performed Ace Ventura impressions in front of large crowds. I spent years performing in bands (I was the lead vocalist of a 20-piece jazz ensemble, as well as a Seattle rock band and a psychedelic surf rock band in Alabama).
My journey has been one of strength and perseverance, of confronting my own pity, and of spiritual growth.
My journey has been one of strength and perseverance, of confronting my own pity, and of spiritual growth.
In 2008, I was living in Seattle, WA, when I learned that someone I loved very deeply was killed in a falling accident. Soon after, I was walking to a bus stop, and a lightning bolt of pain shot upward through my right leg and manifested in my lower back like an electrical storm. My entire body shot straight to the ground and all of my muscles began seizing and tensing into tight cramps all over my body. Soon, the deltoid and triceps in my left arm began asserting a pain I'd never imagined in my entire life; it was as if they were detaching in some horribly excruciating way (much like when an athlete’s muscles detach). I was afraid. I was morbidly frightened. But looking back through the lenses of my journey, I can now laugh and say, "It was as if I was transforming into the Hulk."
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I visited the ER three times and they sent me away without any conclusion and a prescription for a random antibiotic, assuming it must be the effect of some kind of infection. The antibiotic caused me to break out in hives and become very ill. Over time, I lost both my jobs and had to quit being in a band. I couldn't cook for myself, clean my room, fold clean clothes, etc. I could barely make it up the stairs.
Soon, I began seeing a chiropractor every day. She suspected I had a severe case of Fibromyalgia that was triggered from the trauma of yet another friend’s passing. |
It seemed as though every year I’d received a phone call about another friend. This one was the most complicated because of how deeply I had cared for him.
During my time at her clinic, I regained my range of motion and a small amount of strength. I also learned to smile again. Every time I came in for an adjustment, she demanded I say one positive thing - it could be about anything. Once I had done that, then she would adjust me - but not until then. Eventually, thinking positively about my situation became natural (even though I still had many dark days). At the time, I was a member of a cute/silly performance troupe called The Sugarplum Elves, who helped me harness that smile by having one main goal of spreading cheer. They were also kind enough toward me to allow me to stay seated during rehearsals and do minimal physical exertion. Finding the light inside of me, then spreading it around, along with the visits to see Dr. Lisa, was a huge part of what began my path to healing.
The only thing was, the pain wasn’t going away. Some days, I simply couldn’t stand upright. I couldn’t complain too much, though, because my complaints were ruining my friendship with my best friend (the same girl who was treated for Lyme in 1999) who was also my roommate. She had no patience or understanding in what I was going through. Today, I find this to be surprising, but perhaps her case simply did not progress because she was treated early on.
I was forced to visit the chiropractor every single day. If I went one day without it, I would lose my ability to walk or move again. Unfortunately, her clinic was closed on the weekends, but she would see me in emergency instances. She was my angel. She is a TRUE healer. She forgave my entire debt and stays in touch with me to this day. She has also become versed in Lyme and I encourage anyone in the Seattle area to visit her clinic.
During my time at her clinic, I regained my range of motion and a small amount of strength. I also learned to smile again. Every time I came in for an adjustment, she demanded I say one positive thing - it could be about anything. Once I had done that, then she would adjust me - but not until then. Eventually, thinking positively about my situation became natural (even though I still had many dark days). At the time, I was a member of a cute/silly performance troupe called The Sugarplum Elves, who helped me harness that smile by having one main goal of spreading cheer. They were also kind enough toward me to allow me to stay seated during rehearsals and do minimal physical exertion. Finding the light inside of me, then spreading it around, along with the visits to see Dr. Lisa, was a huge part of what began my path to healing.
The only thing was, the pain wasn’t going away. Some days, I simply couldn’t stand upright. I couldn’t complain too much, though, because my complaints were ruining my friendship with my best friend (the same girl who was treated for Lyme in 1999) who was also my roommate. She had no patience or understanding in what I was going through. Today, I find this to be surprising, but perhaps her case simply did not progress because she was treated early on.
I was forced to visit the chiropractor every single day. If I went one day without it, I would lose my ability to walk or move again. Unfortunately, her clinic was closed on the weekends, but she would see me in emergency instances. She was my angel. She is a TRUE healer. She forgave my entire debt and stays in touch with me to this day. She has also become versed in Lyme and I encourage anyone in the Seattle area to visit her clinic.
In December 2010, I was clinically (and finally) diagnosed with Lyme Disease. Between March-April 2011, I took three blood tests and was thereby diagnosed by a PA-C (certified physicians assistant) who specializes in Lyme and a LLMD (Lyme Literate Medical Doctor).
I was grateful to finally have a diagnosis, but I soon learned the hard reality that Lyme Disease is a very expensive disease, and there isn't any insurance that will cover it for more than one month. So, in the last 4 years, I have been unable to find a job that could bend to all of my symptoms, and no job + no money = no treatment. My family helped only with what they could, which is how I was able to get into a doctor, initially. Soon after, I put a donation request out to my friends/family and from that, I was able to afford medications, doctor visits, and labs for about a month and a half.
Finally, my boyfriend and I decided to move into his 1973 Airstream Sovereign (watch the video below to see how magical it was), which was parked outside of the house and we lived there to save money while our friend Nick rented the house for half-rent.
I was grateful to finally have a diagnosis, but I soon learned the hard reality that Lyme Disease is a very expensive disease, and there isn't any insurance that will cover it for more than one month. So, in the last 4 years, I have been unable to find a job that could bend to all of my symptoms, and no job + no money = no treatment. My family helped only with what they could, which is how I was able to get into a doctor, initially. Soon after, I put a donation request out to my friends/family and from that, I was able to afford medications, doctor visits, and labs for about a month and a half.
Finally, my boyfriend and I decided to move into his 1973 Airstream Sovereign (watch the video below to see how magical it was), which was parked outside of the house and we lived there to save money while our friend Nick rented the house for half-rent.
I continued treatments while living in the airstream. We began a garden, raised 4 chickens, and I continued working on inner healing. These were the days of being carried to the bathroom, of staring off into space, of my body imitating palsy on the floor while I cried in agony, of forgetting where I was or who my boyfriend was.
Rama (the boyfriend) decided he wanted to sell the airstream instead of requesting donations for continued treatment. We were quickly offered $9000 and a trusted and verified buyer was to pick it up on August 19th 2011.
On August 8th, just 11 days before the sale, a giant tree fell on top of the airstream while we were sleeping inside, crushing our dreams and Rama's baby (he put a lot of work into customizing and refurbishing it). We escaped death by only a few feet and walked away with only superficial injuries and broken hearts (Watch the video below to see the damage). Shortly after, we received donations that afforded one doctor visit and lots of necessary items for home treatment (herbs, supplements, special foods, medications) which lasted close to 2 months.
We finally decided to sell everything we owned and move out to Los Angeles, CA to be near an ozone treatment center for Lyme Disease called William Hitt. The tricky thing is trying to come up with ways to raise money for all of the medical costs that I continually need. I was denied disability and am now going through the appeal process, as of September 2012.
Meanwhile, I am regaining strength due to having been on a Lyme-specific diet for over a year now, and it doesn’t hurt to live in an area of the country where the weather is always sunny and perfect. I am now able to walk for [somewhat] longer periods of time and I have been riding my bicycle around the neighborhood every day that I am able. I still have very bad days. I have attempted some ozone treatments, but they were exacerbating my depression and rage. I also have a rife machine that I am unable to use at this time because of an electrical error that I can’t seem to solve.
I am afraid, but I'm working to stay positive while focusing on art and healing. I am attempting a natural route to managing my symptoms with my diet and limited exercise. If you have Lyme, definitely get in touch! Always love expanding my Lymie circle.
Meanwhile, I am regaining strength due to having been on a Lyme-specific diet for over a year now, and it doesn’t hurt to live in an area of the country where the weather is always sunny and perfect. I am now able to walk for [somewhat] longer periods of time and I have been riding my bicycle around the neighborhood every day that I am able. I still have very bad days. I have attempted some ozone treatments, but they were exacerbating my depression and rage. I also have a rife machine that I am unable to use at this time because of an electrical error that I can’t seem to solve.
I am afraid, but I'm working to stay positive while focusing on art and healing. I am attempting a natural route to managing my symptoms with my diet and limited exercise. If you have Lyme, definitely get in touch! Always love expanding my Lymie circle.
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I am hoping to make a business from my photography so that I won’t have to worry so much about whether or not I’ll be approved for Disability. There is a Catch 22 in all of this. I am brand new to Los Angeles and, while I could prepare myself physically for a one hour shoot, I do not have the physical strength to walk around daily, searching for potential clients. I’ve probably handed out over 100 business cards, though, and I haven’t received a single phone call.
I am currently photographing friends and their families for continued practice while staying positive in hopes of magically and successfully expanding my current projects to prepare for the very real (and scary) possibility that my Disability case will once more be denied. This can't happen! I love LA too much! The weather here is perfect for my condition and I am finally gaining much-needed strength. I love my little house, my amazing landlord, and my adorable neighborhood. I truly feel, almost instinctively, that this is where I'm meant to be in order to beat this bummer of an illness into remission! |
By the way, if you have Lyme or want to collaborate on an art project, I'd love to hear from you! Positive (but easy/light) activities for short amounts of time are always one way to get off the couch!
Thanks for visiting! You deserve a high five for reading all this.
Thanks for visiting! You deserve a high five for reading all this.
Music by KT Pierce
June Snow Photography Gallery
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Support KTAll the art you see here is for sale, and there is much more to see on her website, Twitter, facebook, YouTube, and Tumblr. You can ~ Email, follow, friend, watch, and view her work ~ She would love to hear from all of you! |
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