This is not my Christmas tree so we’ll just pretend, shall we? We didn’t actually get a tree up this year as it has been too hot to bother and too chaotic with end-of-school festivities. My eldest got into the Selective School of his choice, which was an exciting way to wrap up his primary school experience. My second made it into the same Opportunity Class my eldest just graduated from, so lots of changes in store for him too, including a change of primary schools — bittersweet, as he’s leaving behind the best group of friends anyone could ever hope to have. Fortunately, my youngest three will NOT be changing schools so we’ll have at least some continuity there — I think 5 kids at 4 different schools will be more than enough for my brain to keep track of next year!
In other news, I finally got diagnosed with Lyme Disease. This took forever because Lyme “doesn’t exist in Australia.” Never mind that I am American and travel back and forth a fair bit. If you’ve been following this blog for a while, you’ve probably heard me mention my neurological problems at some point, so it’s a relief to finally have a diagnosis, even though I haven’t quite worked out how I’m going treat it yet. (If you or someone you know has recently pursued treatment for Lyme from Australia, please feel free to send me some info!) In the meantime, the blog will probably continue running along as it has for the last 6 months or so, which is to say at a much slower pace.
And on that note, I’m about to go camping for the next week, so wish me luck! I have visions of myself rocking in my camp chair by the time my husband finishes work and comes to join us, but fingers crossed it doesn’t come to that. With 5 kids, I always feel like it’s useful to expect the worst as then you are almost always really pleasantly surprised by how well things work out in the end!
As always, thank you for reading and participating in this blog and here’s wishing you a safe and happy holiday season!
x Nicole
WordMothers - for women writers & women’s writing 
Welcome back, and I’m glad to hear that, in some form or another, you’re doing a little better. It’s good you now have a diagnosis for your illness, for this should hopefully provide an easier road to ridding yourself of it. In any case, I’m looking forward to future interviews from you!
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Thank you, Lauren! Here’s wishing you a very happy holiday – I hope you find some writing time in the midst of all the other festivities! 🙂
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Merry Christmas! I do hope you feel better soon. 🙂 I always enjoy your interviews.
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Thanks, Carolyn! Hope you have a wonderful holiday. x
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Hi Nicole, Lyme disease is prevalent in Vermont, so we have some experience with it here. Both my son and my grandson have had lyme disease. My grandson ended up with Bell’s Palsy and lost the use of one side of his face for about six months. The good news is that antibiotics still work on lyme disease. My grandson is now fully recovered, and my son as well. Good luck with your healing process, and know that lyme can be cured. Happy Holidays. Leigh
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Oh, wow, that’s scary, Leigh – your grandson is so little too! I am going to get the kids tested now too even though I got major eye-rolling when I pressed a GP for the tests (rather than pay $500 / specialist consultation + $500 / test per kid as I had to for myself). They basically said it would be like lightning striking twice for 2 of us to have it, although others have told me it can possibly pass through pregnancy and / or breastfeeding. Clearly a lot of conflicting information out there! Anyway, good to hear your boys recovered – thanks. Here’s wishing you all a wonderful holiday together. x
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I have had Lyme disease since the 1980’s and it wasn”t correctly diagnosed for twenty years. I, too, have the brain fog and the muscle/arthritic problems. A good contact for treatment options and info is the Lyme clinic at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore. I wrote a post about Lyme about a year ago on my blog. http://aroundzuzusbarn.wordpress.com. Wishing you a peaceful Holiday. Clare
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The post is under Happenings in my menu and the title is ” Hear Me Roar” . My best to you and yes, there is Lyme disease in Australia.
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I look forward to checking out that post, Clare – thank you!
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I’ll give you the date of the post next time you visit and I’ll be by your site in the meantime.
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Making a pit stop at my house to refresh supplies and do some admin and just gave your post a quick read. Thanks so much for telling me to find it. I’m sorry you have been dealing with this for so long and with such a runaround as well. I hope the new year brings you revitalized health and well-being. Thank you for reading and sharing. x
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And I wish the same for you. Thanks for stopping by.
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Oh, Clare, I’m sorry to hear you’ve suffered so long – that’s outrageous! The brain fog is really the worst, isn’t it?! Especially when it comes to writing and reading. I don’t know if I will pursue treatment here in Oz or back home just yet but thank you for the recommendation and I will definitely check out your post when I can read it properly (am currently on a cell phone running out of battery in a tent that is threatening to blow out to sea – unreal wind tonight!)
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Oh, my. Stay safe and send me a message when you’re safely home. We can discuss what is happening here on the East Coast in regard to this rampant disease.
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Sending warm wishes and some peace in that chair of yours, Nicole – not sure how you have time to do all that you do. But you do it well. 🙂 Congratulations on your kids, you are a champion, and I hope 2017 brings you better health and fun times
warmest regards Fiona
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Thanks, Fiona! Yeah, I’m proud of my kids. It’s been a tough year but they’ve managed to get through it with grace and even score some big wins as individuals. Thank you for your consistent contribution to this blog and all your support! I hope you and all YOUR boys have a beautiful holiday! x
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Sorry you have Lyme disease, and I hope they find a way to treat it that brings fast relief. At least you don’t have Trump disease; I don’t think we have a cure for it yet.
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Ha! This made me laugh, Nina. We’re in for a long ride, aren’t we?! Thanks for reading. 🙂
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Wishing you happy holidays, Nicole, and effective treatment for your exotic illness (I also read that antibiotics can be effective). I’m headed to the USA for the first time in 2017, though fortunately, Arizona, where I’m headed, appears to be low risk for Lyme disease.
I, too, look forward to more interviews in 2017. Warmest wishes to you.
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Thanks, Angela! Is your Arizona trip for a book tour, research, or just fun? I hope you have a wonderful time! x
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It’s a conference followed by a week’s sightseeing. Hoping to get to Monument Valley & the Grand Canyon — or as I like to call it, ‘Thelma and Louise’ country
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That sounds great! A very pretty part of the country and I hope you really enjoy it. 🙂
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Hi there! I was diagnosed with Lyme in October and have started a blog about my experience with it: http://aswedishcurtain.wordpress.com. I just started it but plan on adding a lot of information about Lyme. It’s a long road but I feel like I’m making progress. Wish you the best of luck on your journey, and feel free to reach out with questions!
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Hi Kirsten! So sorry I missed your reply earlier. Look forward to reading your blog post, though I’m sorry to meet you via the same diagnosis. Here’s wishing you improved health!
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