Saturday, September 20, 2014

Methotrexate + a funky bladder + grad school

Hello!

I happen to have a wee little bit of time on my hands, so I thought I'd update all of you wonderful people.

I'm alive. That's an important thing.  My body is still handling the methotrexate well (I just tend to feel pretty wiped out on Saturdays from it), and the plan is to increase the dose again in October, which is when I will see my rheumatologist for my 3 month check-up.  So far, it seems to be helping a lot with the bone/joint/muscle pain, and that is a really good sign! I also still have my hair. :)

Unfortunately, my bladder has been going nuts, so I am currently going through some treatment for that.  I have not-so-fun appointments on Fridays at 1pm for treatment.  If you happen to think of it, prayers are much appreciated on those days.

My doctor took me off one of my medicines for my stomach issues because of some nasty side effects, but so far I am doing well without it (thank you, Jesus!).  I may have already blogged about that, but I don't remember...

I am some how managing to keep up with PT school on top of doctors and medical fun (not) still, so that is awesome!  God is good.  School is a lot of work, but it's also a lot of fun.  I keep reminding myself how much of a blessing it is.  Gratefulness is a game-changer.

Thanks for continuing to pray for me.  I'm thanking Jesus for all of you!  I hope you're as excited for fall as I am!  I love the clear, cool days and the colorful trees.  Here's a sunflower from our garden:


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Waiting.

Once again, I'm sorry for the lack of posts.  I've been busy waiting... waiting for the new drugs to do their thing.  So far, not very much is happening, except sometimes I think my hair is thinning (it's possible that I'm just being super paranoid because of the possibility of losing my hair, though...).  One good thing is that I haven't had very many aches and pains lately, which could be a sign that the methotrexate is helping with that! Unfortunately, the fevers and fatigue are still kicking my bum, especially in the morning.  I have a very hard time getting going in the morning, and I typically have to lay down right after breakfast to rest for a while before I get started with the rest of my day.  Thankfully, my cat has decided to be super cuddly lately, so he's been keeping me company during those yucky hours.  God's cool like that.  He keeps reminding me that he really really (x infinity) cares about me... enough to give me fluffy animals to cuddle when I feel horrible.  That's really good news.

My primary care physician started me on a new medicine to help with the GI issues, but that will take a couple months to do it's thing, too.  2 of my walks this week ended in the "explosions" that we hoped would never happen again, but today I didn't have any pain during/after my walk!  I saw my GI doctor today, and I weighed in at a massive (just kidding) 83 pounds, which is scary low.  My weight is his biggest concern right now.  I had decided to add avocados to everything (because they're full of good fat), but it turns out they make me puke.  They weren't very good, anyway.

I am officially done with all of my pre-requisites for physical therapy school, and I'll be starting that in June! Sometimes A lot of times I don't know how I'm going to get through it, seeing as my body is still busy attacking itself, but God's really good at making the impossible possible.  For now, I have 2 weeks to rest up, see some friends, and watch a lot of Sherlock. =)

I'll be seeing my rheumatologist a few weeks after I start classes to check my blood counts, see how the medicine is affecting me, and to decide if we need to change the dosage.  It's a slow process, and sometimes I think I'm going to go crazy.

I've pondered the possibility of not blogging anymore, because I feel weird writing about myself and, short of a miracle, fighting this disease will be a life-long journey for me.  But, blogging continues to be the easiest way to keep friends and family updated, and to actually have the chance to express my thoughts about everything (rather than the typical 8 second update of "trying new meds, I'll let you know if they do anything" that I'm really good at blurting out now).  So, hopefully this serves it's purpose of doing that.... and hopefully God's awesomeness will be more evident than this disease's yuckiness.

Thank you SO much for praying for me.  I'd hug every one of you if I could!

Thursday, March 20, 2014

Another Shot at Treatment

After trying to write a blog post since like... 4pm today, and failing because my brain is still toasting from the daily fevers, here's a short and sweet version of what I've been trying to say:

I saw my rheumy today, and we decided that I should start taking Methotrexate (a chemotherapy agent), because the fatigue, fevers, aches and pains and everything else have been pretty bad.  Mornings have been especially horrible.  I took my first dose tonight and I will be taking it once a week from here on out.  Methotrexate is used in smaller dosages for autoimmune disease than for cancer, so I hopefully won't have any serious side effects, but please pray that my body won't absolutely hate it and that it brings some relief!  Some people don't have any bad side effects at all from the dosage that I'll be doing... hopefully I'll be one of those people =)

Unfortunately, my weight has also been terrible lately.  I've been getting sick to my stomach every morning, so that probably isn't helping... but I really just need to eat a ton, so hopefully my appetite will cooperate.  My dad just put my barf bucket back out in the garage, so that's a step in the right direction... ha.

Thank you to all of you who have been praying for me and encouraging me throughout this... you are awesome!

P.S. This encouraged me today. God's still good, and he's still in control.

"Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." -Luke 12:6-7