She trailed the sun by the way

it lit his bottled green eyes.

I know your look and I know

the present words that aren't said,

but mine are shredded in sweaty hands.

- a poem written by Bryce and Helana

A severe Lyme Disease patient often spends their days in and out of the doctor's office and the ER due to the constant attack that their bodies are under. The entire body, including the immune system and digestive system has trouble battling against the bugs constantly trying to tear their bodies down and practically shuts down while fighting to survive.

Bryce has an unusual case compared to even patients suffering with Chronic Lyme. Since Lyme is already a hard thing to spot by even Lyme literate doctors, the average doctor has a difficult time finding explanation or believing in the symptoms that the disease causes. This causes a lot of frustration and anger for the patient. However, it is possible to cure Chronic Lyme disease, but it is through a lot of experimental procedures and medications.

For the past six months, Bryce has been facing quite a rough patch in her treatment process after being in a more stable condition last July. She has been left bedridden and overwhelmed with pain and swelling in her body. Not only does she battle with a severe form of Lyme, black mold bugs have been exposed and dwell in her body. Lyme and black mold feed on one another in a way which has added even more trouble to her body.

Here Bryce's mother, Stacey, mentions some of her recent conditions and possible diagnoses:

Bryce and her family have faced many frustrations with doctors not believing in her condition and not admitting her into the ER as an emergency patient despite her symptoms. However, despite these barriers, the family continues to fight hard for healing and have found doctors to try to help her in her case. They have found a huge support system through friends and family and have even managed to find doctors that are willing to seek out solutions and find treatments.

Despite nearly constant bone pain and swelling of the limbs, being unable to consume the calories she needs, and facing complete muscle atrophy; Bryce remains resilient and fights out of the hope for healing and of a brighter future. Though when she moves she is wracked with pain, she does so with standing as tall as she is able. She talks of climbing mountains and traveling when she overcomes the condition plaguing her, as well as being able to live as an average young adult.

"When I get better, let's travel the country and the world. Let's get our nails dirty and our jeans and boots caked with mud from all the cold rain. Let's climb mountains and smile and shout at the skies with joy when we reach the top. Let's stay the night under the stars shivering with cold and with white clouds of smoke coming out as we exhale because it's so chilly..."

Every visit with Bryce has been such a pleasure. People have asked me if it was hard to have a friend facing such a condition, but I tell them that although sometimes communication can be difficult, our friendship has grown through hardship and continues to grow, and both of us are able to push one another to have hope no matter what our troubles are.