Long story short(ish), I was only suppose to be here two days and will be here a total of 4 (so far anyway). Most of you know I have rheumatoid Arthritis (diagnosed 1982) and have had many insensitivities to many meds and a proclivity to infections which makes our local hospital my second home. Anyway, I came down here on the 14th to see my Rheumatologist about a new med and also to follow-up on symptoms I've been having since my hospitalization the beginning of Dec. He didn't like what he saw and made appts this week for several consultations, especially Neurology. I saw her yesterday morning and my world began to turn upside down -- I have since had a brain MRI (btw there is proof of life on planet Earth, I do have a brain! :-p), and deep muscle EMG (I have had more fun!) and this morning I had a lumbar puncture (better know as a spinal tap). Tomorrow I'm having something called a sweat test and then I see my neuro. again. Now the reason I'm afraid (as if that stuff wasn't enough), they believe I have a demyelinating disease and most probably MS. I spent yesterday late afternoon on in tears and a good portion of today as well. I saw my Rheumy last night and he was wonderful and incredibly supportive. I've been doing my homework and that's helped some but it's been rough trying to wrap my brain around all this. If I dare even think about my future it becomes even more terrifying so I try to stay in the here and now and deal with whatever is in front of me, one step at a time (so to speak [I'm in a power wheelchair full time ;-)]). The more I write about it or talk about it the easier it gets, so here I am. Thank you for letting me express this to you all, it helps. You all are excellent therapists and a whole lot cheaper (I hear your easy and can be had as well [gosh I love being a pot-stirrer])!
-- Dreamweaver - I can do this, I can do this, I can do this........
*********************************************************************************************************************************************** Everything on the earth has a purpose, every disease an herb to cure it, and every person a mission. This is the Indian theory of existenceMourning Dove Salish