Avise Blood Test

Has anyone heard of this NEW blood test to find out for SURE if you have Lupus? It was just approved. I had the test today....anxiously awaiting because I really didn't know there was an "IF" Diagnoses on 10/11. She is doing it because of all the medication I am on and I'm not getting better...I sure hope I haven't been on all this for nothing.  But I would love to not have Lupus....that's mind boggling.....

Here is the link for the test. Results in 3-5 workdays.

 http://avisetest.com/

The girl in the lab said she has done 7 test since it came out.

I Now Talk in my Sleep!!!!

What a week.  Seems every night was sleepless.  I now talk in my sleep !! Never have done this in 58 years!!  Now I start talking out loud in my sleep!!! Neither of us are getting a good nights sleep because i am waking us both up!!!I'm think its my newest med...so I will talk to Rheumy today.

I have been going to PT 3 times a week and working 1 hour minimum.  When I went Wednesday it was the worst day for pain and when you hurt they hurt you more...I dread today but I leave there and go straight to Rhuemy so hopefully I can talk to her and see what she thinks....

This week was my mom and dads birthdays.  Dads been dead 10 years and Mom almost 2 years.  I miss them so much it's just been a weepy week...

I'm am trying to work on my future because of my Lupus....  Things like work, insurance, Short Term Disability, Family Medical Leave Act, and a few other thighs just bring me to tears.  It's overwhelming...  My poor hubby, he is working longer and harder to compensate but he is never to tired to listen, give and encouraging word or just let me cry.  I don't know what the future holds but God does.  I give it to HIM and take it back everyday!! How crazy am I?  I know what Jesus says:

Matthew
25 "Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Isn't there more to life than food and more to the body than clothing?
26 Look at the birds in the sky: They do not sow, or reap, or gather into barns, yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Aren't you more valuable than they are?
27 And which of you by worrying can add even one hour to his life?
28 Why do you worry about clothing? Think about how the flowers of the field grow; they do not work or spin.
Thank you Jesus!!

A Quick Get Away and Update.

I can't believe it's been over a month since I blogged !! It's not like I have been doing anything!  Just sitting in the recliner!  Or maybe that IS WHY because I have just been sitting in a recliner!! Ha!!

We did have a quick getaway! We took off in our camper with Marley to our camping spot in North Carolina Mountains. Went Tuesday, April 2nd through Sunday the 7th. Jason Rose, Junior, Jarrett, Josh, Jonah and Heather, Matt, Hope, Isabella, and Ben all went.  The kids ran and played and hiked and climbed rocks and rode the T-Rex and we had and egg hunt and snowball fights.  Lots of family fun times.

 Of course Teena and Gary were already there.We had cold weather, warm weather, rain and it even snowed and had icy roads.  Many campfires and meals together.  We did a little shopping in the little town that were easy in and out for me.  One of my favorites is a little coffee shop that has the best Chai Tea. It was a great time.


Lupus update: Both Knee pain everyday but I took it easy and it went fine.
Used cane when needed but didn't do a lot of walking and stayed pretty closed to camp unless we drove the T-Rex.  Most of this last month I have been under Dr Smiths care since my knee surgery.  I am still in allot of pain. I am shocked at how long the recovery is and how bad the pain has been.  I saw Dr Smith and he insisted I start PT so I Started PT April 10th. So far it's painful but I intend to have a positive attitude.  I told my daughter I was looking at it like I have a personal trainer.


So I continue the PT for 4-6 weeks and see my Ortho Dr May 23rd. FMLA ends on May 28th at work.

The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. -- Isaiah 58:11

One week down...

March 8, 2013 The day of right knee scope surgery.  Got up at 4:45am, left the house at 5:30am. Surgery at 6:15 am.  We arrived on time but couldn't find a door or light in any of the buildings it was dark and I felt lost but we weren't lost...

As soon as we arrived I was ushered back to prepare for the surgery.  My mind is a little fuzzy here as I was given some happy meds and was ask lots of questions.  I met 2  anesthesiologist  and they explained I would have a breathing tube inserted in my throat so expect a sore throat....An IV was inserted (she got it on the first try!) My leg was washed and washed again. Then betadyne was applied from thigh to ankle and I was covered with warm blankets with a hose blowing warm air under covers.  So nice.  Dr smith came in and put his initials on my right knee with a Sharpie to be sure to operate on the right knee ( either would of been fine at this point).   My hubby left as I was rolled back to the operating room.  I remember Dr Smith coming in saying Hi again and everyone  was in scrubs and masks.  They put an oxygen mask on me and told me just to breath normal.

Next thing I know it was over and they were offering me graham crackers and ginger ale.  Hubby came back, he had just talked to Dr. Smith and he said he had filed down the tears in the meniscus and the ALC he did not repair he just cleaned them up and cleaned out some parts that were floating around in there.  He said if this didn't stop the pain I may have to have a partial knee replacement.

Its Arthritis which is the breakdown In the cartridge caused from Autoimmune Disease which of course is LUPUS.....

Shortly after that I was wheel out to the car and we were back home by 10:00 am. They gave me Percocet for pain which I used round the clock until Monday morning, then I started using as needed.  I have found the more I do the more I hurt.

It has been one week ago today.  This week has been bed to recliner and that's it.  Started with 2 crutches, than started using one crutch on Monday.  Tuesday cane for stability and to help with balance.  I cannot bend my leg to get socks on which is very frustrating...if I accidentally bend it too far the pain is immense.  I go to Dr. Smith on Tuesday to get the stitches out.  My daughter is taking me because I can not drive yet....hoping for more info as to what I should be doing. I am anxiously awaiting spring mornings where I can walk.  Not sure if I will be able to walk Marley because I think she would be walking me.  But that time will come.
I am thankful and hopeful.

P.S. I had to come back and add this.  I just walked to the mailbox and back!  It's a beautiful day out there!

Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Col 2:67

10 Years Ago....

Can it really be 10 years Daddy
That your Race On Earth was done?
That you have been living In Heaven
With God And His Gracious Son.
Although My Heart Mourns For You
And My Eyes Are Filled With Tears
I Am Thankful That I Had You
To Love And Guide Me Through The Years.
You Were Always An Inspiration
Your Strength, It Knew No Bounds.
I Know That God Has Blessed You
With Many Heavenly Crowns.
So Remember My Precious Daddy
You Will Always Be In My Heart.
I Will Remember Your Gentle Teachings
From Which I’ll Never Part.

In Loving Memory Of My Precious Daddy
Oakley C. Adkins
Who Walked Through Heaven’s Gate -
March 8, 2003
After a battle with Multiple Myloma and Parkinson's

Trusting All Will Go Well

Feb 26th I went to Dr Smith due to continued pain in both knees ( and both hips to be honest with you) but Dr Smith is dealing with my knees.  Since the cortisone shot only lasted a week he has decided to do a right knee scope surgery on March 8th.
Dr Smith will be looking to see if it is the Lupus attacking these joints, Arthritis or Degenerative Disease then he will know the  path to take to get me out of some of this pain.

He will not be able to do anything for my left knee until after the right knee is fixed.

So today I spent most of the day getting Pre-op done.  I already had the MRI and X-rays of the knees so I got the blood work done, an EKG and a chest X-ray as well as a mini physical by my primary doctor.

All seemed to go well.  I am trusting that I continue to be in Gods Will and so far I have a peace about this whole thing.  Thank you for your continued prayers.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12

Never say never

I have had ongoing knee pain since October . I kept trying to deal with it through all the Lupus pain meds and  Prednesone would take the edge off.  Until now...

On Jan 25 my hubby went to Dr Jonnala with me and she filled out FMLA paperwork that I am unable to participate in work .  That I have a permanent impairment (Lupus attacking my joints) that is not curable but is treatable but I am unable to work while taking the drugs.

So on Jan 28th I went in to work talked to my boss, Human resources, payroll, a Director friend and my staff.  I told them the situation that I just could not work right now. I faxed in my FMLA paperwork to my regional and human resources.   The rest of that week was horrible pain.  Elevating knee, icing and resting.  On Jan 31st I stood up when hubby walked in door and my knee buckled...

On Feb 1st I was taken by ambulance to ER.  They referred me to Orthopedic Dr. I've now had X-rays and MRI.

Dr. Smith at Athens Orthopedic  said today, Feb 12th  from viewing my MRI that My knee is tore in a couple places but not all the way through, it is sprained on one side and swollen. I have arthritis in both knees and I got a cortisone shot in the right one. I will continue to wear the brace. If it keeps hurting I will have to have surgery and he would have to go in and clean it up but he wanted to try this shot first. I said I would NEVER get a shot in my knee. I was so scared almost sick at my stomach I was so scared.  I had heard so many people say how much it hurts....teeth clenched I did it. There was nothing to it!!!! I said "that's it?!?!? I want to go ahead and do the other knee too!!" He laughed said next time but can't do both together. Ha!!
So now I rest and wait for the pain to go away......

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.  (Philippians 1:6)