“I’m embracing exactly who I am, a continued work in Progress. Whatever happens I will always strive to be the best version of me. It is how I have always been & it is how I will always be.     

~ Chantelle Lewis 

Hello lovely people and thanks so much for stopping by to read more. I’m Chantelle Lewis and I am 36 years old. I grew up in the beautiful and quaint seaside town of Falmouth, Cornwall. For readers outside the UK, this is in the South-West of England. Here I lived with my Mum, Dad, two sisters and my brother. We are a really close family, with good morals and when we’re all under one roof it officially becomes a mad house! Our family has already extended; I have an amazing Nephew and Niece, who I love to Space and back, a wonderful Brother-in-law and a fabulous Sister-in-law, lucky for me both of which are awesome and have become like additional siblings.

I have always had a lust for life and for those who know me well would probably agree that I am outgoing, always singing, chatting, I love to smile and have been told on many an occasion that I put the ‘E’ in enthusiastic. I would definitely say I am a perfectionist and always endeavour to put 110% into everything I do. I love all things girly, anything with a splash of rainbow colour and everything branded with an anchor! I can’t live without Marmite, I home brew my own Kombucha and admit I may be slightly addicted to both coffee and peppermint tea!

After completing my BA Hons degree at Middlesex University in Dance Performance, I found myself auditioning for drama schools in the ‘big smoke’ and was lucky enough to accepted an offer of a place at the prestigious Royal Central School of Speech & Drama (CSSD) in London. I studied and trained at a professional level in all key areas of Musical Theatre and graduated with a Masters Degree. This was an absolute dream come true and a real stepping stone towards what life would entail as a professional performer.

When I was 26, I made the huge decision to put a temporary pause on city life and head to sea to work as a Stewardess within the private Super Yacht industry. I saw this as an opportunity to work hard and save money, but to also experience travelling to new places and embracing different cultures all whilst being surrounded by the natural beauty of the ocean. I thrived in this environment and I was finally able to put all my organisational skills and genuine love of cleaning to good use!

I stayed at sea for two years, saw some breathtaking views, made some life long friends and even gained the nickname Anchor Girl! Unfortunately whilst working abroad I got bitten by a teeny tiny tick which was infected with multiple infections and consequentially my health deteriorated extensively and my career at sea was forced to an end. I am now suffering from chronic Lyme Disease, multiple tick borne co-infections and an array of comorbidites as a result of getting so sick.

I have all the expectations that I won’t be this sick forever. Unfortunately for chronic Lyme Disease and many of the other chronic conditions I now suffer from there is no cure, but I won’t let this mean I will have no life. I have high hopes for remission and eventually being able to maintain my extensive ‘A-Z of illness’ at a manageable level with both medication, natural supplements and nutrient rich foods.

This blog Chantelle Fights Lyme is an insight into my continuous battle with Chronic Lyme Disease. The highs, the lows and all that’s in-between! I am pretty open and honest, so sorry if in some places throughout my blog posts it is a little TMI (too much information)! I feel it is important to give an un-edited account of Lyme because in my Lyme life there is no opportunity to edit the truth of the struggle and suffering or change up the reality of the impact Chronic Illness has and continues to have on my entire life.

I hope you enjoy reading my blog and I am genuinely excited to become an active part of a growing network of bloggers.

Sending smiles, good vibes & hope… Chantelle xXx

‘Be yourself, everyone else is already taken’  ~ Oscar Wilde ~

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