Reader Rakes Me Over the Coals for Talking About Lyme Disease, Not Sugar! (Follow-Up Show Anyhow)

Yesterday -- as I was a month-plus into horrific headaches, frequent bouts of cognitive confusion such as forgetting what I'm in the middle of saying or doing, sleep woes galore (too much or too little), and feeling incredibly wiped out (chronic fatigue sufferers, move over) due to the case of Lyme disease I got from a nasty, little tick -- I opened what has to be one the most ferociously, angry e-mails I've ever received from a subscriber to my free e-zine.

As my body was flooded with antibiotics to kill the bacteria making me feel so cruddy, I read the reader's nasty missive to me.

The writer -- a woman from Canada whose name begins with "M" -- blasts and berates me for NOT talking about kicking sugar and for dashing off a quick e-mail to my rather large e-mail list (in the thousands), inviting all of them to listen to my radio show (earlier this week) about Lyme disease.

(On the show, I interviewed seven amazing experts to shed light on this fast-spreading infectious disease from which I'm now suffering. My goal is to educate you so you, too, don't have to suffer because of a tiny tick!)

Anyhow, Lady "M" takes me to task for going off the sugar-educating topic. Here's what she says:

"Please take me off your list.  I am not interested in Lime [she meant "Lyme"] disease and am very surprised and disappointed that you would use this email for anything other than what you said you would when I signed up.

"So once again, please remove me from this list right away.

"I will stop recommending your book immediately."

Ouch! OK, I confess, I was hurt, amazed and baffled.

Given that yesterday, I was beset by particularly intense, Lyme-induced fuzzy thinking and awful headaches, I didn't fully digest her furious remark.

Even so, hiding my tail between my legs, so to speak, I quickly dashed off an apology and immediately removed her from my list, per her request (something she could have done herself).

I even offered to send a copy of my book, Sugar Shock!, to her local library in Canada, if it didn't have one. (Her city and name are being withheld for her protection.)

Now, I've a little time to mull over this.

So was she right? Am I completely wrong to talk about another important health topic to my Sugar Shock mailing list?

I think not. Besides, I really didn't owe her an apology, right? (Golly, I was a wimp!)

After all, I'm in the trenches here, suffering from Lyme disease myself, and despite feeling awful, I'm still trying to help others throughout the world prevent getting these horrible ailments by doing some educating on my Gab With the Gurus Radio Show. What's so bad about that?

In fact, many of you have written to wish me a speedy recovery. Thank you all so much!

A few folks even said that it was cool that despite my health woes, I'm now trying to help others.

And nobody other than Lady "M" from Canada wrote to complain that I was going in a different, non-kick-sugar direction.

But, here's my dilemma these days: To be honest with you, I do NOT want to talk about sugar all the time anymore! After seven years of educating people about its dangers and giving tips to break free (about five of which were spent researching and writing my book Sugar Shock!), I'd like to discuss other things, too! It's fine to share kick-sugar advice a lot of the time, but not ALL of the time! (In fact, I'm doing another interview shortly with a major magazine.)

FYI, that's why I'm changing the name of this blog, because the topic of sugar is too limiting. I also want to give you valuable information about fitness, personal empowerment, life coaching, social networking, etc.

But one thing is clear: I need to make sure all my information reflects my broader focus. When I feel better, I definitely need to rewrite this subscriber order form, making it clear that, in addition to sugar awareness, you'll also get other valuable information, too, about a variety of topics, including health, positive thinking, meditation, exercising, blogging, etc.

Anyhow, I wouldn't even wish Lyme disease on the Canadian woman who unleashed her fury on me. But, she really best be careful when she goes outdoors, though, because I hear the Lyme disease threat up north is very real. (I'm in the U.S.)

After all, just check out the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation and Public Health Agency of Canada websites, as well as the flurry of stories there about the disease's dangers.

FYI, despite that one livid e-mail, people have been thanking me for talking about this new topic. They've been sharing their tragic, Lyme disease stories. They've been asking lots of questions.

In fact, interest has been so high that I'm doing a follow-up show -- when I get better, of course -- with other experts (and some of the same maybe) educating us more about this horrible danger. (You'll even have a chance to send your questions to me ahead of time.)

But back to the nasty correspondence I received. Full disclosure here -- here's the short e-mail I wrote (in its entirety), which provoked such an angry response:

"Just a quick e-mail to invite you to listen to what
I consider one of my best radio shows yet in my year
on the air!

"Learn about the risks you take when you go outdoors!

"Listen to 7 experts talk about Lyme disease, one of
the most infectious diseases today.

"It's caused by a tick which you can OR cannot see!

==============================
http://www.GabWithTheGurus.com
==============================

"I need to go nap, due to my Lyme disease, but I urge
you to listen to this compelling show!

"What happened to me could happen to you!

"Listen now:

-------------->>>>>>

        http://www.GabWithTheGurus.com

Warmly, Connie"

So, now that you know what I said and what she said, what do you think? Feel free to be honest. Sling more angry words at me, if you like.

Trust me, no furious comments from you can rival the Lyme agony that I've been experiencing!

Now, back to bed.

Darn, I just awoke up from a nap and had more evidence of my Lyme-triggered nitwittedness. I messed up on my amoxicillin count. I have five instead of six pills left of the antiobiotics today. What did I do? How did I forget? I've been so careful, I thought, in keeping good track. I seem to have taken only one, not two pills, at breakfast. Is it safe to double up now and then again at midnight? I sure hope so!

Remember, dear readers, share yoint of view about the angry reader's remark. And, while you're at it, send questions for my next Lyme-disease related radio show.

FYI, on my next radio show on Sept. 9 (assuming I'm well by then), my guest will be the renowned psychiatrist Dr. Keith Ablow, founder of "Living the Truth." Feel free to send e-mail questions for Dr. Ablow for that show, too.

Comments

[Connie Bennett]

To find the interview with pediatric neurosurgeon Dr. Cleary show, go to: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/Profile.aspx?userurl=StopSugarShock&year=2008&month=01&day=30&url=Glucose-Shrinks-Withers-Atrophies-Your-Brain-Listen-to-pediatric-neurosurgeon-Dr-Larry-McCleary Please note that this is the old URL for my radio show. You can now listen at www.BlogTalkRadio.com/GabWithTheGurus Enjoy! It was a fascinating interview. Connie

[Connie Bennett]

Dale, I'm so sorry to hear about your daughter's struggles with Lyme disease. My heart just breaks upon hearing stories like these! It must be soo tough for her. I'd love to have her and you on my follow-up Lyme disease show. Date TBA. We're going to take questions and I'm going to line up one or two experts to be on hand to answer questions. Everyone, I just figured out how to send a comment to your comments! Yeah! Sorry I didn't do so before -- previously, I was writing to all of you privately or posting my comment within your comment.

[Dale Weber]

Hi Connie, I stumbled upon your radio show and am so happy I did. My daughter has been suffering with this Lyme disease, left untreated and misdiagnosed for so many years. No one knew about it then and her unexplained symptoms were making people believe she was just lazy or making things up. Now, thanks to people like yourself educating others, there is more support, which is so important. It's hard enough fighting the disease without having to fight the judgment of others. I think that lady in Canada is fortunate, but if she is truly concerned about health, then she would benefit from opening her mind a bit. I look forward to your next show and I would like to add my name to your email list. I think you are filling a much- needed void. Your experts were informative, and I am so happy there will be more. Many thanks and much appreciation, Dale Weber

[Sara]

Where is the talk with Dr. McCleary?

[Noah Scales]

I'm really sorry you're suffering from Lyme disease. I just pulled this gigantic tick off the forehead of my mom's shitzu, and it got me thinking about what other ticks might be in her home. More frustrating, the dog has an allergy to the drops you can put on his skin to repel ticks, so he's a tick magnet. The little guy is so lovable, though. Anyhow, if I get Lyme disease from a passenger on him, I hope I can read your next book on the subject. ;-) BTW, ignore me if I'm just taking advantage, but feel free to send a copy of your current book to the Santa Cruz public library in California, www.santacruzpl.org, particularly the Aptos branch, if possible. I would be the first to check it out. I currently eat a low-sugar diet (started as an anti-candida diet), but I can always stand to learn more about its benefits and the need for it. Take care, and good luck for a speedy recovery, Noah Scales

[Jae]

I love the variety of your posts. Yes, I want/need all the info I can about my sugar addiction, but heck, because of the addiction, everything in my life is affected. Any tools I can get are appreciated. The evolution of your blog is awesome to watch. Self growth is the natural way to expand and help others. Linear thinking is a challenge for us addicts. Also, keep in mind, addicts often have knee- jerk reactions to LOTS of things. Try not to take it personally. You're doing great work, and sometimes it'll be challenged. Maintain your focus...stay YOUR course! Thanks a million for your wonderful work! Jae Note from Connie: Thanks so much for your kind remarks!

[starpath]

Inform readers about Lyme disease instead. It is under-diagnosed and the symptoms are not those you would choose or wish on your friends. My best wishes and good luck with your disease and treatments.