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[Guest guest]

I don't think I have posted on the list before but here is my basic

info:

I am 40, with 4 kids, 2 of which are handicapped. The boys are in

assisted living arrangements. I have a 17 yr old boy at home who is

currently being home schooled, not something I would recommend for the

feign of heart.

I have been married almost 20 years to an amazing man who has supported

me thru 5 years of school, I went back to school at 32 to get a degree

in Chemistry. Now he is supporting me in dealing with the frustrating

process of getting a diagnosis. All the symptoms say Lupus but a

negative ANA and other labs that were borderline have prolonged the dx.

I work for our state environmental agency. The work is fun but it

requires me to climb ladders, work in the sun, and work in all kinds of

weather. I believe the fluorescent lights are causing some problems. I

am hoping for more time in the lab and with a dx I can get the lights

changed to a more friendly type of lighting.

I have several hobbies that include playing an online game " everquest "

also know as Neverquit, Eversmack since it is so addicting. Lol I also

read....ALOT...3 to 4 books a week. And I belong to a group who recreate

the Middle ages, The Society for Creative Anachronism. My husband and 17

and 22 years old sons also play with us. In fact next week is a big

event for us in the South called Gulf Wars, not to be confused with the

Real Gulf War. About 2000 people getting together in funny cloths,

camping in funny tents and hitting on each other with rattan swords. I

am so excited. This is our yearly vacation, though we have cut it down

to 4 days due to concerns about my health.

God has blessed us. I have finally been given the grace to accept my

illness and the changes in my life that will result. We found out last

week that a supplemental Cancer insurance, that I was angry with my

hubby for getting, will also cover Lupus. This means that all of my

deductibles and copes will be covered. I seem to be in remission, or at

least feeling a heck of a lot better so our camping vacation is a go.

Thanks for all the great info that this site is providing. I also want

the let ya'll know that this group has been a godsend for me. I

subscribed to another grp but there was so much negative energy that I

could not maintain a positive outlook and read the messages. I am a

glass half full kinda girl and when I cannot maintain that attitude I am

lost.

Ok this is long enough and it is lunch time.