OK, here is how it went...

[Guest guest]

Hi, everyone, As I wrote in the wee small hours this morning, we got in around 1:15 a.m., and did

ok on the drive home. It normally takes about seven hours, but we had good conditions, and made it

in about six. Of course, that was up on the Interstate where the speed limit is over 70 mph, and

most drivers take it at 80! I sort of compromise and do 75, then move over for the hotshots who

want to scream by me. Glad to get back onto country roads when we get closer to home, though.

We left Santa last Thursday afternoon, and of course, I forgot we'd be in full sun the whole way.

At least it was mostly on the passenger side of the car, so I didn't bake myself, but it was still hot.

Got into Wasco in time for dinner with our friends, and I collapsed into bed almost immediately after

that. I am still having a lot of trouble breathing...well...not so much breathing as getting any good

out of the air I breathe I guess is more what I mean. Anyway, I have an appointment with a cardiolo-

gist next month and am on the waiting list for cancellations. Like our dear , though, I just know this character is going to say, "Lose some weight, then come back in." But, he is in for a rude

surprise, as I don't take that kind of stuff any more from anybody. Just as I didn't run out in the road

and yell, "Hey, God, pick me, pick me!" when it came to Lupus, I certainly didn't do that when it

came to picking body types. Geez Louise.

Anyhoo, I sure felt like a piker, not being able to cook much since that is my usual contribution to

the cause when we all get together. I only managed two dinners, but I could still drive kids around

to their stuff, and could sit and hold the latest foster baby and feed him, burp him, change him, etc.

I just couldn't do much of anything that required standing, walking, or lifting over my head. BORING.

So, we stayed one extra day so my youngest son could see his former foster dad. He drives big rigs

hauling sugar beets from the fields to the refinery, and could only get one day off during harvest.

Reesey was so tickled to see him, it was worth staying over the extra day, but I so wanted to come

home and get back to my own bed. Selfish, I know, but I was so grateful for this adjustable bed last

night...once I wound down enough to go to sleep. MMMMMM...much more comfortable than trying to

sleep upright on a pile of slippery pillows.

We had a good visit, and since my friend's own daughters are all RN's and one even has SLE, they

are more understanding than most people about extreme fatigue, and skin rashes, etc. I still felt

kind of useless all week, but they certainly didn't make me feel that way, it was just me and my

own feelings about this damned disease getting to me, I think. I am worried about what this latest

doc will say, so I am going through a period of denial. I used to call my next youngest sister Cleo

(Short for Cleopatra, for the Queen of Denial), but I think I may be heading for the title. LOL

I hope everyone had a good Easter Holiday, that the bunny was good to you, and that you are all

improving, or at least, no worse than when I left. I am sort of holding my own right now, so that is

to be gratefully accepted at this point, and I will bend every effort to get better, too.

Glad to be back. love to all, MM

P.S. Welcome to newbies, happy whatever to anyone who celebrated an important date, and

so missed you all.