*Originally published 5/2/14*
This month, I honor my best friend since preschool. Growing up with Cassidy we have shared many laughs, tears, and definitely lots of love. We have gone through everything, from girl drama, to breakups, to losing our loved ones. But the biggest battle we have and most likely will ever face is her ongoing battle with Lyme disease. I can easily remember the “healthy Cassidy” from when we were younger, but without going through what she has, she would not be the wonderful, loving, generous person she is today, and I wouldn’t change that for the world.
Although I know her Lyme makes it hard for her to do simple things, like getting out of bed, she never ceases to amaze me. Whether it was walking around Boston, riding Space Mountain in Magic Kingdom, meeting witches in Salem or walking miles in Disney, she never once complained nor let her Lyme control her life and did what she wanted to do/see on our vacations. It is one of the hardest things to watch someone you’ve grown up with, and love unconditionally go through something so painful and heart wrenching, while feeling as if you can do nothing to make her feel healthy and relieve the unbelievable pain taking over her body.
While I wish that I could provide her with the doctors and medicine she needs to be 100% again, I have realized it is the little things that help the most, like just lying in bed and watching a movie or eating delicious gluten-free, sugar-free, Lyme-friendly snacks. Even though her Lyme stops her from doing some sports that she wants to do, she is still there for me at mine when I need her most.
I have been lucky enough to have known Cass for 14 years and our friendship is still going strong. I have no doubt in my mind that she will be there for me as I will for her in the future for graduation, college, weddings and whatever else gets thrown at us down the road. After going through something as tough and emotionally difficult as Lyme, I look forward to seeing her healthy and past this stage in our lives and making more memories with the person who has been with me forever. In May we ask for not only a cure for Lyme but attention brought to this horrible disease that has taken over my best friend’s body. I am lucky enough to call such an amazingly strong person my best friend. No matter what happens with her or her Lyme she is and forever will be a fighter and my biggest inspiration.
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