I thought you were better.

"Why are you using the cane?"
"Because I need it."
"But I thought you were all better."
"What mommy has is not going to go away. Some days are good and some days are bad."
This is a quick conversation that I had with my 8 year old while getting ready to venture out to the grocery store with my husband and our two youngest children, after taking one 400 milligram advil to take the edge of the pain off. This is something I will have to explain not only to my children on an ongoing basis, but to grown adults as well. Some people seem to think that you can get better but there is no getting better. This is a new way of life. My plans have to be flexible, and so do theirs. I may lose touch with some people through this illness but it can't be helped. I can't go out when I want or when someone else wants me to. I need to listen to my body. I need to take care of myself, even when I feel well, because right around the corner a crash looms.

Naturopath

I've started seeing a naturopath. It's been almost 2 weeks. Why? Because i t will take 4 to 6 months to get an appointment with the rheumatologist. I can't just lay here and wait! I have a life, however limited, to live!
My naturopath is very clinical. She's not hippy dippy at all. She doesn't push products, or try to get me off of the pharmaceuticals I'm currently on.
My family physician has warned me to be cautious, but he is willing to pass on my lab tests to her so they are both on the same page.
I have seen an improvement in my energy levels. It feels as though I am approaching my old level of coping. The goal is to get beyond coping and try to function as close to a normal level as possible. I don't think things are ever going to be the same again. I do have an inflammatory disease. It won't go away but I would like to have the ability to be out of bed for more than an hour without getting so tired I feel as though I'm gonna throw up.

Say what? Part deux

My hearing test is done. I can hear in the normal range. My left ear is better at picking up certain sounds compared to my right, and vice versa. Everything is fine. Oh, and yes, I switched my boots to the correct feet :D
Now I'm off to bed for the afternoon.

Say what?

I am sitting at the audiologists office, waiting for a hearing test. I thought I had wax built up in my left ear. Not so said my doc. Everything looked good to him, so he sent me here.
I just noticed that I put my boots on the wrong feet. Oy!

First post.

First post. Daunting. Awkward. Well, I better give you an idea of who I am and why I decided to start this blog. Homeschooler, mom, wife, daughter, sister, neice, cousin. That's who I am, rather, that's who I was. Always ready to help others. Always on the go, whether it's running errands, dropping hubby off at the train station every morning, or taking the children to homeschooling meetups. Things have changed. November 27, 2015 brought extreme pain. It started as an upper back ache and headache, and quickly progressed to an all out assault on my body. Every cell of my being hurt. My eyes were hot and sore, my skin on fire, my joints inflammed, my muscles felt like I'd been beaten. Every part of my body screamed for relief. Two 400mg Advil liquigels later and I could rest. Residual pain hung around, but at least I could lay in bed without too much pain. Rolling over was a different story. I spent the weekend in bed. Every four to six hours more Advil would be needed. The daily limit is three pills. I was not adhering to that suggestion. Monday morning I saw our family physician. He had some blood tests done. Blood work revealed that I have antiDNA antibodies. Which could be a sign of lupus. I was reffered to a rheumatologist. He also told me to stop taking so many pain pills. So now I wait to see the specialist, and only take pills when the pain is intolerable. I now rely on my family for help. Thank God Hubby works from home most days, so homeschooling gets done. Mom and dad, aunt and uncle, cousins and siblings all provide care. Whether it's cooking, cleaning, laundry, or entertaining our youngest. It's strange and sad for me to the one receiving help. I cried at first. I didn't want to be a burden. Now, I am accepting my new normal. I just can't do as much as I used to. It sucks, but this is what I have been given. I will walk this road to the best of my ability.