Re: new & questions/

[Guest guest]

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Hang in there, you most definitely have a full plate. I am a recent member of this group, but from day one "felt the love" -- everyone here is so willing to share "good" "bad" and "in between" and don't forget the humor... lots of humor ... laughter is great medicine.

Speaking of which -- My hubby and I watched "Patch " today. I haven't seen it in quite some time. It is such a good movie. Lots of emotions. He is quite a guy.

I'll pass on a smile, then I'll close for now. First I'll give you a very brief bio: I am a 42 yr. young mom of two boys (20 and 4 years. -- yes dear they're about 16 years apart.) We also have a 2 year old foster son and are in the process of getting two of his sibs (girl 5 yrs. and boy 7yrs.)

Also I use a wheelchair due to an offroad ATV accident in 1986. This past September I decided to get involved with Team in Training (TNT) for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). I have a 7 year old Honor Patient who is my inspiration.

TNT has three teams, I joined the one for Marathons -- I use a handcycle... well part of the purpose for TNT is fundraising for LLS. So I decided to dye my hair purple to draw attention to the cause... it works -- thus my hair is still purple and will probably stay purple for awhile. It seems my 4 year old loves it!! (Although my 20 year old thinks I'm out of my mind...)

In my sponsorship letter I paid tribute to the spirit of Patch which inspired me to dye my hair purple -- humor is healing.

Blessings...

"Sparky"

wrote:

Hi,

I've been a member for a few days now, but haven't posted. Just listening (reading).

I have lupus & fibro., plus degenerative disc disease, some bulging discs in my lower back & neck & scoliosis. I don't have near as many problems as most of you do, though!

Now I don't feel like I should be whining or complaining!

My name is , I'm 44 yrs old, married for almost 26yrs. to a wonderful man (age 47) who is also my best friend! We have 4 children ages 17, 19, 21, 23. 2 boys/2 girls. We also have 3 grandsons 4yrs, 3, & 14mths.

I'm full time caregiver to hubby who has Parkinson's Disease. He just got his

disability approved last month so hopefully things, financially wise, will settle down some. I know that worrying over him keeps me stressed out. He falls a lot & has kidney problems. Plus he has some cognitive problems. So I get to be in charge of most everything now! We've always been very close, he was self-employed & I worked with him, so we were together 24/7.

Have been diagnosed for about 2 1/5 yrs, but suspected it for closer to 5yrs.

I have a couple of questions. The first about the ANA & SED rate. My family dr. has never said what my SED rate was, just it was ok. But, she did say the ANA was high. It was 1:320 last time.

What is a normal SED rate & what is considered high?

If your ANA is high, but the SED rate is ok, what does that mean?

The last time I had blood work done I was miserable. Aches & pains, trouble thinking clearly & remembering things, vertigo (dr. said lupus induced), etc.

My dr. has mentioned rheumatologist a couple of times, but still hasn't referred me to one, or has said I needed to see one. Should I insist?

She is a great dr. Always very concerned, kind, even when hubby

sees her, she always makes sure I'm feeling OK before we leave.

I'm glad I found this group. You seem to genuinely care about each other.

Thanks to the moderators for their warm welcomes, also!

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