February 2018 Update

Hello again and happy February!

All is well here, and I hope the same for you!

Struggling a little as I await my March Rituxan infusion. Getting tired and feeling run down. You may recall that I am pushing out a month longer than usual, to try to get my infusions to land on months that don’t cramp my style 😉.

I chose the following quote for our letter board for the coming weeks as it reminds me to focus on simply doing my best today.

"The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today." 

H Jackson Brown Jr. 

I can do that! 

I continue to plug away on my shoulder PT and get activity in when and where I can. I have been snowshoeing around the yard on days that I know I have a few open days to follow in case my body revolts. So far, I have just needed couch time for the rest of the day and I can handle that!

My recent checkup with Dr Meagher was positive. 

We discussed my current state and symptoms and the plan to continue with Rituxan indefinitely. She’s anxious for me to get my infusion, as my Gottron’s papules have returned and are getting pretty uncomfortable and the exhaustion is getting intense. Thankfully, I have not had any muscle weakness return at this time. 

My next infusions are scheduled for March. 

Gottron's Papules on knuckles.

Labs:

All within an acceptable range.
Red Blood Cell (RBC) count was low
Glucose was a little high.

One goal of mine this year is to take it up a notch with the anti-inflammatory foods.
Full-fledged Auto-Immune Protocol (AIP) has been a little scary for me, as it is about 100X more restrictive than Paleo (ie. it removes all things considered to be “gut irritants”), but there are people who have had such impressive results that they have even gone into remission with it.

Over the past 2 years I have eased into these changes, just dipping my toe in the water. I have greatly reduced my processed food, dairy and white flour, sugar, etc. I have even reduced my “nightshades”, which includes tomatoes (*sob*).

I slipped back a little after my shoulder surgery. Apparently Cheez-Its are not AIP compliant. I not only gained weight, but I am achy all over among other less than desirable effects. 

So, we begin again!

This time around we are adding the top anti-inflammatory foods to our regular rotation. Some examples are:
Cruciferous vegetables, including #1 winner Bok Choy (which I have never prepared, myself) and healthy fats, including salmon 😧 (which I am bound and determined to find a recipe that I like). I’m also taking a turmeric and ginger supplement and using bone broth instead of chicken/vegetable broth where I can.

I will also be easing my way into the GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) Diet. More on that in my next post. Ahhh, health is fun 😑.

Thankfully there is a lot of crossover on these two “diets” (read, “lists of food”), so that makes me feel better. So does calling them “lists” instead of “diets”. Just saying.

My next post will include a little ditty on GERD as well as a likely update on my March infusion! Until then, stay warm and cozy!

M