Life and Lyme

Muddling Through Life with Lyme Disease

A writer and lover of books

A close-up headshot of Melissa
A stack of books Melissa read in graduate school at Bennington College, where she got Lyme disease from a tick bite.

I was born in San Antonio, Texas to a Latina teen and adopted when I was six days old. I graduated with a BA in Anthropology from the University of Texas in Austin. The next twenty years I spent working a variety of jobs and moving with my then-husband. In 2015 I earned an MFA in Creative Writing from Bennington College, along with an undiagnosed case of Lyme disease. Now I live with my 95-year-old dad in Tucson so he can age in place and I can continue to regain my health.

A photo of sunrise from a hiking trail in Dad's house in Tucson, Arizona.
Wide shot of Mount Blue Sky in Colorado, Melissa's home.

In my free time, I hike with my dog Rocky, read, go to movies, swim, and cook. Although I am in Tucson, my heart is in Colorado. When this phase of my life is over I plan to go explore Spain for a while. I didn’t spend the last four years learning Spanish for no reason!

Evergreen, Colorado. Melissa lived there twice, in 1972-73, and again from 1999-2014
Evergreen Lake, Evergreen, Colorado
Melissa, Ginger, Katie, Dad, and our dogs at his 95th birthday party. I am Dad's caregiver.

A caregiver to one fabulous father

Dad with Rocky, Melissa's dog
Melissa in 1981 with her mom graduating from UT Austin

I write a blog about my experiences living with a chronic illness and being a caregiver. I have had short stories published in literary journals. “Accidental Texans,” a collection of short stories set in 70s boomtown Houston is looking for a home. I am currently working on “Musical Magpie,” a book of essays about my musical tastes and experiences.

A mother to Katie, the favorite daughter of a favorite daughter

Melissa with Katie in Cozumel
Mom holding Katie in 1987, hours after Katie was born.
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