Retiring Rheumatologist

I had a check up on Saturday, and everything was great! I am down to 2.5 mg of prednisone per day (yayyy!!!!) down to a maintenance dose on all of my other medications, and all of my other labs were PERFECT. thats right.. PERFECT!!! WAHOOOO!!!! Praise the Lord, Praise the Lord.

So my Rheumatologist and I were having a lovely chat about photography, history, our favorite Kaiser facilities, Septic Shock...you know.. the usual. And as we were finishing our already hour long visit, he dropped the bomb on me.... he was retiring on November 30.

I have been beyond blessed to have a Doctor who studied at UCLA and UCSD, taught at Sanford, kept his cell phone on anytime I was in the hospital (and answered it!!), and was willing to think out of the box to keep me healthy. He is 62 years old, and as he says, he wants to play hard for awhile and not just work hard.

I am not panicking.... I was reminded that Dr. W has been an amazing blessing and gift from the Lord, that God has given him incredible talents and ideas and that those ideas and talents have been a big factor in my ongoing battle with Lupus, but that God is the one in charge, and will continue to be sovereign.

Its interesting to say goodbye to someone that you really only saw at major crisis points in your life, but because of that developed a relationship with.

If I could find out how, I would email his boss at Kaiser and demand, I mean request, an invite to his retirement party.

Confessions

I have some things to confess

1. I watch So You Think You Can Dance late at night when I can't sleep.

2. I hate washing my hair, because that means I have to re-straighten it

3. At times I am sarcastic to a point where I am just plain mean.

4. I have 15 pairs of sandals.

4.5 I wear three pairs of sandals

5. I strive for the approval of other people

6. One of my greatest temptations is to think that I can earn the approval of others, and of God.

- I must preach the gospel to myself every day, to remind myself that the only thing that makes me worthy of anything is the Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. That I could read my Bible every day, and it won't change how much God loves me. That I can be the best servant imaginable, and it won't change how much Bryan loves me. That true love is based not on what I do, but what God has done in my life.

loving this song Nothing But the Blood. Side note, love the amazing woman who sings it too.

Lupusaversay

Today is my 6 year Lupusaversary. Six years ago today, the hospital doctor said, "we are pretty sure it's Lupus."

If you haven't read this blog before, then you probably wonder why I would celebrate or even note the date that I was diagnosed. But for those of you who know me, you know that Lupus, while a struggle and trial, like all struggles and trials, has been a way for me to see God differently than I would have otherwise.

Usually I like to celebrate my lupusaversary by doing something active and outdoors. Past celebrations include days at the beach, hiking/running, boating, etc.

This year I had grandiose plans of coming home, writing a long blog post about the last year with lupus, reading and going for a run. however, I am feeling sick. And I need to go to bed so I dont start to feel sicker. So the blog post will come next week perhaps, after the Vargas wedding.

Just know, God is good, and he has continue to cause all things to work together for good according to his purpose.

Smiles :)

Lupus Walk!!!!

Hello!!!!

I am SO EXCITED to tell you all that I am going to be participating in the Lupus Foundation of America's Walk for Lupus Now walk in October.

... In fact.... I'm gonna go a little crazy and run it! it's a 5K. I know, you are thinking... thats not that far. But I haven't been able to stay healthy long enough to run consistently in 6 years. Thats right, 6 years.

However, after much praying, I have decided that I am at least going to attempt it. (more on that process later). But for now, please be praying for continued health, continued dependence on the Lord, and for people to join my team. (maybe you you can run or walk!)

Here is the link to join my team or make a donation to research!!! Thank you so much for your continued support!

Meds

I have started to write this post several times, but couldn't get the words right. Then I received a gentle reminder that I dont have to have the words right!

About 6 weeks ago now, I finally got back down to 5mg of prednisone a day. This is GREAT news! Prednisone is a corticosteroid that I take for lupus. It is an immunosuppressant that really really helps to decrease my joint pain. The downside of prednisone (other than insomnia and weight gain) is that it makes me crazy. lol. literally. I have crazy mood swings when I am on it.

Being on a lower dose, I have noticed a huge difference in my attitude and feel like I have been so much less grumpy lately. Which is difficult to admit. Because when I was on a lot, I knew that I was being grumpy and slightly (ahem) irrational... but I had so much trouble getting out of that mood. Now that I am on less, I feel like I have more ability to turn my frown upside down. (yup, just said that)

I feel silly saying this, because I feel like I should be able to control my moods, and I am bummed that I felt like I couldn't, because I know that I can.... is this making any sense? probably not.

I wanted to write this so that next time I am on a lot of prednisone, I will remember that self-determination won't get me anywhere, only the grace and discipline of the Lord will, and I am hopeful that if I start praying for those things now, then next time around, I won't have such a hard time.

.... and i might be just a little less crazy.

roommates, family...and mostly bryan- thanks for putting up with prednisone kelly. she is humbled by your patience and blessed by your prayers.

Oh My 200,000

That's right folks.... the good old Civic hit 200,000 miles last night.

Is that the check engine light you ask? Why yes it is.

Did it pass smog you ask? Why no, actually it didn't.

What to do, what do... no ... seriously though. The car is on the outs. Can't really afford a new one. Oh dear.

My Birthday!!

It was my birthday on Monday and Bryan took me out to dinner in Santa Cruz. The plus of having your birthday on a Monday night and the day after Mother's Day- not a lot of people eating out. For the first half hour we were the only people in the restaurant.

It had a great view of the pier and the boardwalk.

Prior to my evening out, we had a full weekend of celebrating my dad's birthday on May 5th, and Mother's Day on Sunday. We wen kayaking, had lots of tacos and margaritas and went to a Giant's game. Lots of fun! During the day on Monday Kristin and I went wine tasting in Morgan Hill.

A lovely, lovely weekend, I must say.