Guest guest Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Hi all... Thank you so very much for the very warm welcome. A few had asked for some more info about me, so here goes... Prior to becoming ill in October, I led a pretty chaotic, hectic, just all around crazy schedule and life. I'm 32 years old and have been exceptionally healthy all of my life (something I suppose I will never take for granted again). I am the mother of two fabulous children - an awesome 10 year old boy and an amazing 13 year old girl. I have taught preschool for the past 12 years, I go (well, went) to school 3/4 time working towards my degree in Math and German for secondary education, and I spend as much time as possible with my boyfriend who is a high level (c3,c4,c5) quadriplegic. My kids are active in scouting, school and sports, so becoming ill really knocked me for a loop. Apparently I was so busy running everyone everywhere, and taking care of everyone but me, that my body just decided to give me one hell of a wake up call. Initially when I became ill I thought it was the flu. When I followed up with my PCP she diagnosed me with Viral Meningitis (I had all the symptoms). It wasn't until the next week or so that the joint pains and rashes started appearing. When I was still running a fever regularly 3 weeks in, I started to get rather concerned. After a couple of ER visits, several blood cultures and an infectious disease doctor visit (as well as a couple more visits to my regular doc) I finally went to a rheumatologist (which I apparently can't spell) on the advice of my sister. She (the doc) almost instantly suspected Stills and all tests indicated as such. I am now on my 7th day of Prednisone (40 mg/day and dropping to 30 mg tomorrow). My arthritic symptoms are much more bearable but I have seemed to have developed food sensitivities...regular itchiness, insomnia and my rash(es) seem to spread to new destinations everytime I think they are going away. This is definately an adventure. I am nervous and excited to be returning to work and school next week (on a much more part time basis). I am definately afraid of having what everyone dubbs as a " flare " ; being out of bed for more of the day than not has become something that I truly appreciate. I feel like I have rambled enough for one evening. Thank you again for the very warm welcome...it is much easier to deal with Still's knowing that I am not alone, and also knowing that I have an outlet other than my family...they can only take so much of this illness! Much gratitude, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 29, 2008 Report Share Posted December 29, 2008 Welcome ee, So glad you found us. As for anything else at the moment, I have worn out my typing fingers this day. Just wanted to remind you to chill and enjoy any respite you can from this thing. This is a good group. Tom (Fuzzy) PA > > Hi all... > > Thank you so very much for the very warm welcome. A few had asked for > some more info about me, so here goes...away. > This is definately an adventure. > > I am nervous and excited to be returning to work and school next week > (on a much more part time basis). I am definately afraid of having > what everyone dubbs as a " flare " ; being out of bed for more of the day > than not has become something that I truly appreciate. > > I feel like I have rambled enough for one evening. Thank you again > for the very warm welcome...it is much easier to deal with Still's > knowing that I am not alone, and also knowing that I have an outlet > other than my family...they can only take so much of this illness! > > Much gratitude, > > > Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted December 30, 2008 Report Share Posted December 30, 2008 as others have already said welcome . as you already know stills is so fun at times. as for going back to work / school look at it this way if you can deal with it now you most likely will be able to later . this is just my own personal thoughts and being a redneck that means there not worth much most of the time so take them for what there worth but for most the start of stills seams to be the worst also . that dose not mean the later is easy as all get out just that it seams essayer compared to the start. Now any one who has dealt with life as you have knows that some times ya just gots to do whats ya gots to do and so heres to ya and a warm hug to boot . Just look at the bright side many here still work and do or act like so called normal people what ever that is LOL and then others like my self well do not work and specking of my self were never normal by most standards but my own to began with any way . so again welcome and sorry you were looking but glad you found us and your new home and friends and family the rednecks Marty & G. the redneck's my space http://www.myspace.com/martyg58 To learn about Stills Disease http://www.stillsdisease.org/stills_info For conservitive minded people http://www.americac2c.org " If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under. " ~ Reagan In the old days a man who saved money was a miser; nowadays he's a wonder. ~Author Unknown A nation can survive its fools and even the ambitious. But it cannot survive treason from within.~Cicero " The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help. " ~ Reagan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted January 30, 2012 Report Share Posted January 30, 2012 welcome dear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted June 13, 2012 Report Share Posted June 13, 2012 Thanks to all for this group which I have just discovered. I'm looking forward to getting lost in the files, etc. So far I have tinctured herbs and flowers for medicinal use mainly. I'm looking forward to learning ways to further my knowledge of distillation and other methods of extracting essential oils for scents. I grow several varieties of flowers and herbs, and want to expand my gardens. I will lurk for a while so I can get to know the group, then I will jump in when I can contribute. Kleager brendajenkinskleager.com Blog: http://brendajenkinskleager.com/cgi-bin/blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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