Hi there,
It's been a crazy couple of months! I haven't been writing because I'm convinced that I'm fine and haven't wanted to return to the "sick" talk. The word has actually been banned from my vocabulary - however I might have to use it a couple times here.
So, I'm feeling great! I was not however, ready to return to work full time though; so my position had to be released. I'm okay with it; although there has been so much going on maybe I haven't let it sink in.
Physical therapy continues to go well. I'm not ready to hop on my bike yet, but I can do so much more than I could just a couple of months ago. I can stand for extended periods and walk where I want to walk! I can be out and about for 5-6-7 hours without flaring up. I got to see U2 in concert and danced in my spot the whole time (okay, that one landed me on the couch for the next day).
I have had a bit of heartache in July, although so much to be thankful for as well. Anyone who knows me knows how much I love our dogs, Pronto and Rosie. On the 4th Pronto got really ill. He was diagnosed with an auto immune disease [just like his momma] called Chronic Active Hepatitis (CAH). The doctors think that he ate something toxic as well which triggered the disease; so you can imagine our relief when Rosie's tests came back clear.
His little liver is feeling better though with the help of Ursodial, Milk Thistle, Prednisone and Azathioprine - which it the same drug that I began my treatment with (except his tastes like chicken!) We have been working with the amazing veterinarians at the University of Minnesota, where Pronto is a much loved patient. We continue to pray for his health, and I make sure that I give him lots of the same love that he gave to me when I didn't feel good.
Amidst all of the above, my grandmother passed away. She became sick on July 11th and was gone the 17th. We were lucky to have her here for 97 years and she was adored every minute of them. I am beyond blessed to have had her in my life. I had the pleasure of celebrating her life earlier this week with all of my family. My heart is so full of happiness, love, and truly special memories.
As for me, just today I increased my Neurontin to 6 pills a day. Previously, I was taking 4 at bedtime. Now I will take 3 in the morning and 3 at bedtime. I did feel a little sleepy this morning...but I might just still be a little tired from being out with my cousins on Monday night!
I head in for a check in with my rheumatologist tomorrow. Per our last visit, she mentioned wanting me to stick with the Methotrexate (MTX) for at least a year before switching me to Plaquenil. November marks one year of MTX, so I’m pretty pumped to think that I might be done giving myself the weekly injections (which oddly seem to be getting more difficult to give myself) in the near future.
As mentioned, I'm really working on living my life without a thought of the diseases that grace my medical records. I'm completely sick of "being sick." So I'm not anymore :-) That’s it. I couldn't be happier about it. Having said that, I'm officially on vacation from the blog! No news is good news!
I’ll check in from time to time, but in between notes, think of me feeling great. Still learning how to live with the little things here and there that make my life just a little bit different than it once was, but shifting the focus from a life that revolves around a disease to a disease that fits into my life. Pronto’s working on this too, so I have a buddy :-)
Lots of love and thanks to you,
M
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