07/25/2023
About a year ago I started feeling really sick on a daily basis, something that just doesn’t happen with me. I’m always on the go/full of life but was experiencing physical/spiritual/cognitive decline with every passing day. Doctors were doing their best but simplifying my experience down to hormones/stress. Knowing something much worse was going on I tried to remain calm and keep myself busy with work while actively searching for answers. Then, in March, this invisible disease manifested itself in my skin… leaving me with painful lesions all over my arms and soon covering my entire body. Subsequently, I began experiencing neuropathy in my feet and loss of vision for long periods. Despite the pain/horror of it all, these symptoms ended up being what guided us towards some real answers.
Two weeks ago I traveled to Georgia to meet with an infectious disease doctor, recommended by my parents neighbor who has been sick with Lyme disease for years. After several appointments it was determined that I contracted a tick borne pathogen within the last 3 years.
I begin treatment today and while I know the road to recovery will be a challenging one, I at least now have hope.
I’m not posting this today for sympathy/attention, I just wanted people to know that I’m still here and inspired to make my dreams as a jeweler come true… I just got sick and it changed things for me.
That being said, we’ve decided the best thing moving forward is to sell my store and transition to an online business, reducing stress/giving me a freedom on days when I’m struggling.
It’s been difficult to overcome the disappointment/humiliation I feel from selling the store, but I’m trying to shift my perspective to not view this is a failure just the first step. I learned so much from opening that store and I know God would not put this situation in front of me if I couldn’t handle it… it’s all leading to better things should I choose to see it that way.
The next few months I’ll be working on transitioning my studio, as well as focusing on the permanent dietary/lifestyle changes required to get me through this treatment with ease.
The Golden Rule Jewelry will return! ✨
Love,
Sidnee 💕