Lyme Disease in PA: What You Need to Know, and Why There’s Hope
Keith Kalm shares his journey with Lyme Disease, blending personal experience with vital facts about prevention, treatment, and long-term management. Focused on hope and awareness, this article empowers readers—especially in Northeast PA—to take Lyme seriously, seek early treatment, and know that even with challenges, healing and a full life are possible.
PERSONAL STORIES
Keith Kalm
3/18/20252 min read
A Chef’s Perspective: Lyme Isn’t the End
Let’s get this straight: Lyme Disease is serious, but it’s not a death sentence. I’ve been through the worst of it—Stage 3 Lyme, late diagnosis, surgeries—but I’m still here, still moving, still working. And I want you to know that no matter where you are on this journey, things can get better.
If you live in Northeast Pennsylvania like I do, or anywhere Lyme is common, understanding this disease could literally change your life.
What Is Lyme Disease?
Caused by Borrelia burgdorferi, a spiral-shaped bacteria from blacklegged ticks.
It spreads fast—ticks don’t have to be attached for 24 hours like they say.
A bullseye rash? Only shows up in 30% of cases.
Why PA Matters:
Pennsylvania is #1 in Lyme cases in the U.S.
NEPA—counties like Luzerne, Lackawanna, Monroe—are hotspots.
The outdoors are beautiful here, but you’ve got to stay aware.
Symptoms to Watch For:
Early: Fever, fatigue, muscle aches, sometimes rash.
Later: Joint pain, neurological issues (brain fog, speech changes), heart palpitations.
The Good News About Early Treatment:
Most people who catch Lyme early and get antibiotics (like Doxycycline) recover fully.
The key is awareness and action. Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen.
For the Rest of Us: Managing Long-Term Lyme
I waited too long. That’s why my journey was hard—hip replacements, chronic pain, brain fog—but I’m doing better now. With proper treatment, support, and time, life can still be good.
If you’ve got lingering symptoms after treatment, you're not alone. This is called Post-Treatment Lyme Disease Syndrome (PTLDS). It doesn’t mean you’re broken. It just means you need a different approach.
What Helps in the Long Run:
Find a Lyme-Literate Doctor: I recommend Dr. Mast at the Healing Arts Center.
Holistic Healing: I worked with my mom on Reiki, energy healing—it helps.
Movement: Even when it hurts, gentle movement keeps your body fighting.
Mindset: You have to believe you’ll get better. Some days are hard, but others get easier.
Hope for Healing:
Lyme doesn’t have to be forever. Many people recover. Some live with it, but thrive.
New treatments and research are happening all the time.
You don’t have to accept suffering—you can find your balance.
Key Resources:
PA Tick Testing: www.ticklab.org – Send in ticks, know your risk.
ILADS: www.ilads.org – For Lyme-literate providers.
Healing Arts Center (Dr. Mast) – Personal care that goes beyond standard medicine.
Final Thoughts:
I’m not here to scare you—I’m here to wake you up, and remind you that even with all the challenges Lyme throws at you, you can still live a good life. I’m walking proof of that.
Early treatment saves lives. And if you’re like me, and you’ve been through the trenches—keep going. There’s always hope.