Lucky

So happy that I made it through another week...and a week with good news, at least in the big picture.  I saw a surgeon this week and he was skeptical at first that someone so 'young' was willing to have such an extensive surgery.  And then I began the story, from the age of 19 whether he wanted it or not. Finally he was accepting of my need for the surgery and that it is my last hope of regaining my life as it was before the disease progressed.  Lots of X-rays and a 3-D CT scan and I revisit him this Friday.  Hopefully I will be able to plan the next few months of my life next Friday afternoon.

This is a blessing and challenge, but 'I can do all things' (Phil. 4:13) through faith in Him.  I am also beyond blessed to have friends that I consider family that are willing to help as I go through this.  Even one that knows me too well and says I should be making the list of what I will need so everyone can plan to be a part of the schedule.  Just a reminder of the blessings that are shower even in the midst of the daily challenges.

From the top...

Finally I am back at work.  I like living by myself, but I need the people I work with and my students more than I could have ever imagined.  A new semester has helped distract me from the pain.  I got to see my first basketball game of the season tonight and forgot how much joy I get watching middle schoolers play their hearts out.  The season started in November.  If not for middle school basketball, I never would have gotten to know the sweet man that I might actually marry some day (heading into year 3 of engagement, and completely content).  I am very sentimental when it comes to basketball. I am looking forward to the rest of the season and a few more wins.

I am thankful for everything I CAN do and that the pain is actually not as bad as it was in November.  I am thankful for physical therapy and the muscles that are stronger now.  I will continue to be hopeful and try to be as positive as I can, and when I can't, there are always the meds that knock me out.

House Arrest

Living with RA or as I recently found out, AS is no fun sometimes.  Ankylosing Spondylitis is a type of RA that causes calcification and fusing of the vertebrae and sacroiliac joints.  Looking at the Xrays I only have the beginning stages but for three weeks I have been in pain from inflamation in these joints that are unable to move the way they should.

I went for four straight years and never missed a day of work, and then last school year, I had health issues I couldn't ignore and this year, only in November, I have missed numerous days. To be specific, 7 of the last 15 school days and I will be out all next week trying to get an epidural to stop the low back pain. Then we have a week for Thanksgiving, so hopefully two straight weeks will get me back on my feet.

I am surrounded by supportive friends and coworkers that may not understand the joint issues, but they do understand that I am in pain.  They even sent an edible arrangement.   Yummy!

I am truly thankful for them as well as a doctor that thoroughly went through my test results and wants me to be pain free and live well.  I am going to visit an endocrinologist about my thyroid and hopefully start physical therapy in addition to the epidural.

I am hopeful!

Weekends...

I try everyday to be positive and care more about others than my disease, but everyone tells me to take care of myself.  I try to do both. How can I when I feel awful?  I want a clean house, I want the laundry hung up and clean, I want to be pain free. Weekends are a much needed time to rest and for me to recuperate but my personality doesn't function well just doing nothing.  It is such a constant cycle.  

Fortunately, Dr. Nik is concerned about my pain.  The shots are painful, but the relief is well worth it.  Next week I get to go back to Dr. Nik again and to Dr. Griffin.  I am hoping for Dr. Griffin's wisdom to guide my treatment.  As much as I hate the pills, I am truly open to more meds if it means a decrease in pain.

I am on year number seven of teaching and for 5 years I never took a day off, even with this chronic disease.  It is truly a progressive disease.  I hate being out.  Teachers understand that being out is more work than being sick and at work.  Unfortunately, as I  explain to my sweet kiddos, the doctors don't work after school.  It creates even more anxiety for me having to be at the doctor. I hold out hope that the pain will be gone sometime soon...