Susan Coleman Supporting ILC

Susan's Story: 

“Frightened and relieved was how I felt after hearing my diagnosis.”

In June of 2012, after experiencing significant neurological symptoms
— including loss of muscle control, Bell’s palsy and speech
impairment — Susan Coleman was diagnosed with Lyme disease.

While the diagnosis of Lyme disease was frightening, it was also
appreciated, as it allowed Susan to seek treatment for the unexplained
symptoms that had plagued her during the past 17 years.  Despite
seeing specialists in internal medicine, immunology and rheumatology,
Susan experienced inexplicable joint swelling, immobility, pain and
bruising, mysterious inconsistencies in liver function, suppressed
immune function, extreme fatigue, memory loss and other symptoms.

The specific initial infection date is unknown, though Susan believes
it may have occurred in 1996 at a southern Indiana campsite that was
overrun with thousands of freckle-sized ticks.

With no diagnosis to explain her continuing physical issues, she
continued to move forward in her career and in academia. In 2010 Susan
completed a master’s degree in Informatics at Indiana University,
taking part in numerous special projects and overseas research.
Despite frequent illness that at one point required her to go on bed
rest for 9 weeks, she also remained active in the community,
supporting local sustainability issues and participating in local
politics.

In the spring of 2012, Susan received another tick bite in Monroe
County, followed by a rash consistent with the bacterial infection
Bartonella, a common co-infection of Lyme. The steroid treatment
prescribed by her former doctor suppressed her immune system even
more, allowing dormant Lyme bacteria the opportunity to re-emerge.

Shortly after the 2012 bite, while experiencing dramatic neurological
symptoms, Susan visited the emergency room but was sent away without
treatment despite visible symptoms.

Less than 24 hours later, she saw a Lyme literate medical doctor who
began treatment immediately. Having tried strong rounds of oral
antibiotics (much to the dismay of her digestive system) and herbal
protocols in the months that followed, Susan started intravenous
antibiotic therapy in April 2013 and saw significant improvement over
the months that followed.  Although she is not yet able to return to
her beloved profession, she continues treatment and remains hopeful
for that day.

Susan adheres to a strict grain-free, dairy-free, sugar-free,
alcohol-free, caffeine-free diet with minimal processed food.  Of
course Susan’s bubbly, bright, can-do personality shines through, even
in the face of this debilitating illness. Because she has lost a
significant amount of weight, some people don’t even recognize her.
Her spirits were lifted when an old friend came around a grocery aisle
to tell her they heard her laugh across the store.

Susan is the co-founder of Indiana Lyme Connect, serves as the
secretary to the board of directors and hosts the Bloomington Support
Group.