update

[Guest guest]

Well - getting caught up here - takes a while when you get behind! My

rheumy called me yesterday morning before I went to work (at 7 a.m. -

but at least I didn't have to leave work to call long-distance!) and

let me know that all my bloodwork was normal. Liver, kidney, lupus,

sed rate - and get this - even the Sjogren antibodies were negative

this time! They were there 2 months ago! So go figure. He is keeping

me on the meds because I just had that nasty flare - but I must say

that I enjoyed about 3 or 4 days here that were " pain " free - had a

little discomfort - but no pain. It was delightful! I planted flowers

and washed the truck - kinda paid for those - but all in all I

cherished them. Because tonight my hands and fingers and knees are

quite irritable again. But hey - I had a good day! And it has been a

long time for that. So while we troad along here with no diagnosis, I

am actually quite relieved - kind of a silver lining! As much as I

would love to have a name for this, perfectly normal bloodwork means

that my life insurance company can't deny me insurance! So hopefully

I beat the system!

Anyways - I saw that we had some new members - welcome! I have only

been around for about a month and it has been a true blessing to have

a group of people understand and care like this wonderful group does!

Someone understands exactly what you are dealing with or feeling -

guaranteed! Sharon - sounds like we have a lot of pain in common with

no name for it! Although " apparently " any x-rays I have had are

normal.

For those of you having a flare - i wish you could feel as I did a

few days ago. It seems that our world is full of prayers for a " good

day tomorrow " - but I honestly pray that you be blessed - even if

only for a litte while. I was a little bummed about my hands kicking

in today - but the last few days just bring a smile to my face

because I know that there is hope of relief - however short-lived it

may be! So don't give up!

And Debs - I agree with the rest of them! And this goes for anyone

else feeling bad about having a rough day! You guys helped me through

it and if we can't depend on our friends then we are really in for a

difficult time!

As a sidenote - because of you all I am feeling better mentally about

all of this - I was able to help a parent at my school and encourage

her to talk to her doctor - she can't fold laundry, can't open her

meds....and she figured she had to deal with it! We are here to help

each other, and in doing so we help others outside this group! My

friend's name is Donna - she did talk to her doctor today, and she

has vaculitis, an enlarged liver, and he is running bloodwork - all

the normal tests. I told her about you all and she was just so

grateful to have someone she could talk to because " noone really

understands " . God works in mysterious ways and puts us in people's

lives for a reason. She should have the results Friday - please keep

her in your prayers for desireable results. But please don't feel bad

about being down -

prayers for better days and sunshine tomorrow (especially here - the

kids have been inside at recess all week at school because the

playground is underwater! aaaaggggghhhhh)

Janet