Health Score/December 23, 2008
- My blood results from yesterday? An improvement – the drugs are finally kicking in the body not just my brain. YAY!
- I switched kidney doctors yesterday. I feel much better. I found a doctor more cutting-edge and optimistic. Your relationship with your doctor is so important. He is itching to do a kidney biopsy – but we’ve got to make sure the blood clot in my left knee is dissolved before proceeding. Yippy.
- We are hoping that some new medications for lupus might be appropriate – less side effects. I would also be weaned off the steroids – which would be spectacular…they really are vile. So off to the pharmacy I go…hopefully insurance will deal with it or there will be lots of profanity.
- Generally, I’m feeling better, moving around in 2-hour increments, then back with my feet up. I’m getting bored, I think that is a good sign. I’ve been baking some Christmas cookies and trying to cook some dinners for the family. Feels good to move around!
To give you a very simplistic picture…our immune systems (white blood cells) save us from infections, bacteria, viruses, etc. They are the good guys! For some reason (and they don’t know why – but have some theories) some of my white blood cells decide to form a large army and attack my own body…in my case my kidneys. They are AWOL, essentially.
What is the prognosis? Depends on organ involvement. But odds are generally really good. Lupus is classified as a chronic (never going-away) disease. But as most of you know, I had 22 years flair free – so that is my goal – “remission2.”
Most scientists agree that people that contract Lupus have a genetic predisposition due to Chromosome 1. But they believe environmental factors trigger the disease. There is no conclusive evidence at this point. They’ve been studying hormones, pesticides, stress, sun/vitamin D, etc. Bottom line, they really don’t know and even think that for each person it could be a different trigger-mix.
Side Note: An interesting new product on the market… Check it out – saw it on Oprah. www.23andme.com
So for those of you that want just a bit more information about Lupus, this section of the Lupus Foundation’s website gives you the highlights:
www.lupus.org
Go to the top left navigation bar (orange) “About Lupus”
Scroll to “Introduction to Lupus”
Scroll to “New to Lupus – Start Here”
Click on the information links
And for the research nerds like me, click away to your hearts content. There are many sites and lots of information about the entire 40+ families of autoimmune diseases…but honestly, unless you love that kind of stuff – skip it and instead eat lots of good food, have a nice glass of wine and/or champagne and enjoy the Season with your family & friends.
Peace & Love
xo
I'm so glad to hear you are feeling a little bit better, Lori. Let's hope that continues! I'm also glad you found a kidney doctor that you like. That is so important as you enter into this long battle. I will continue to pray for you as 2009 quickly approaches.
ReplyDeleteChantelle :)
Thanks for the Christmas update Lori! It's good to know how things are progressing for you.
ReplyDeleteBTW, I had a good chuckle with myself the other day when my Mom went to freeze leftovers. I thought of your Grandmother who freezes whole dinners without labeling them, then gets all surprised when she thaws something from deep in her freezer. "Oh, it looks as though we'll be having an enchilada casserole!". Love that.
Thanks for update may I help you with little more information on Lupus Awareness. Hope this helps.
ReplyDelete