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.

Ice Cream liars

Does this like a bowl full of carmel cups with carmel swirls to you?

Cause to me it looks like a bowl full of vanilla ice cream with A carmel cup and ZERO carmel swirls.

(a real problem in life)

Echo Cardiogram Results

Hello!! And happy day after Easter!

So, as you may recall from a previous blog post, when I had septic shock last April I went into cardiac arrest, my heart enlarged, and wasn't able to pump an adequate amount of oxygen.

Welllllll, a week ago I had an echocardiogram (like an ultrasound of the heart) done and my Doctor let me know today that my heart is completely normal. No signs of enlargement, no problems pumping.... its all good! Thank you all for your prayers and support!!

My health has been quite up and down the last few years, and the good MRI and Echocardiogram have been tremendous blessings.

I continue to learn a lot through all of this, and am continually encouraged by

2 Corinthians 4:5-18

For what we proclaim is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, with ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake. For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
		But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
		We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
		persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;
		always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.
		For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh.
		So death is at work in us, but life in you.
		Since we have the same spirit of faith according to what has been written, "I believed, and so I spoke," we also believe, and so we also speak,
		knowing that he who raised the Lord Jesus will raise us also with Jesus and bring us with you into his presence.
		For it is all for your sake, so that as grace extends to more and more people it may increase thanksgiving, to the glory of God.
		So we do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
		For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison,
		as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.
Loving my life as a Jar of Clay, Kelly