Hi.

Every time I set down and think about writing, hands on the keyboard, words and thoughts bubbling up–then it’s all gone and I give up.

On Friday, June 21 I gave double red blood cells to the Red Cross. I’ve done it before without any problem. My iron count was well above what it needed to be. I was good to go.

A couple days later I noticed that my ankles were swelling. I can’t say for certain that there was a connection, but I will always be left to wonder…

On Tues day of the next week, I saw my doc in follow up to an appointment on June 6. I learned from her after having had an x-ray, that I have developed degenerative osteo-arthristis in the C5 and C6. This was the explanation for the severe pain in my shoulder and going down my arm. Nerves are being pinched. She recommended physical therapy.

I mentioned my swollen ankles and she blew me off by saying that it was hot and that I should look at how much salt I was eating. She said if it didn’t get any better to call her back.

On Thursday, two days later, I was meeting with my friend Heidi for Bible Study/translation and I wasn’t feeling too good. By evening, I was in terrible pain, barely able to walk.

I called the doc the next morning and of course she was not in the office. I decided to go to the urgent clinic. The doc I saw ordered blood work (the third time in June that I had blood work done). He ended up diagnosing me with gout and anemia. He perscribed a medication that I took once.

I woke up on Saturday morning with red welts all over my legs and arms. I could barely walk. I had a fever over 103. Under each welt was a tumor. The largest tumor was behind my left knee. It was the size of a medium egg. I hurt so badly that I couldn’t tear toilet paper. I was miserable.

The doc saw me on Monday. She felt I had erythema nodosum. This ended up being confirmed by the blood work she requested and the biopsy the dermatologist did that she sent me to see. He prescribed prednisone and my body responded immediately.

I also had an appointment with a rheumatologist. She gave me a diagnosis of fibromyalgia–didn’t even know I had it. She wanted more bloodwork–8 vials worth–and a couple of urine samples. I see her tomorrow to learn what she gleaned from those.

With all this blood work, I’ll probably be anemic for months.

I still have one lump on the sole of my right foot. I feel bruised all over. I get tired easy. My wrists and hands are still very sore.

I did go and visit my mom in AZ July 10-20. We played 137 games of Scrabble. I won. We had a lot of fun–mostly because I chose to go while George was in Alaska fishing. My momma didn’t raise no dummy!

Way back in May, my little lady had an episode. At first they suspected it was a stroke, but it turned out to be a sugar spike. She was in the hospital for 4 days. Things changed a lot when she came home. She continues to be very weak.

At that time my co-worker began to make demands and got real bossy. Several family members wanted to fire her on the spot. They talked to me about what they might do. I offered to change my schedule if they let her go. I offered to work M-F 6-2. They liked the plan.

But before they followed through, they gave both of us a significant raise–exactly what she was asking for. I told them they didn’t have to do that for me, after all, I’m not licensed. But I received the raise anyway.

After I came home from Mom’s, they told me that they were going to go through with the plan and let her go. It took them another week (last week). This week I started my new hours.

It was weird to work a 40hr week again. But I did enjoy having the weekend off. I think I could get used this.

Well, I think I’ll be turning in. Thanks for checking back in. I’ve been reading and sometimes leaving notes. Couldn’t leave this place, not when so many of you have been so supportive over the years.

Take care!