On March 19th I had a doctors appointment with a Scleroderma specialist. Everything went well and she said everything seems healthy so far. She wants me to start EPO shots that will help my anemia. EPO is the hormone that kidneys produce to make red blood cells. EPO shots would help my kidneys create more red blood cells and hopefully help my anemia. Other than this shot, she did not recommend doing anything different. The Ace Inhibitor (Lisinopril) is the best way to go for now. If things get worse an immunosuppressant would most likely be the next step. One type of immunosuppressent used is Methotrexate, an oral chemo pill. She said I came out relatively unscathed so I guess that was somewhat good news.
We also got to worship at College Park and the singing was wonderful! It is so uplifting to be around brothers and sisters in Christ that are always praying for you. I also got to meet Shaun's cousin, aunt, and uncle. Shaun's cousin is also an Optometrist so we both got our eyes checked as well. There are some effects on the blood vessels in my eyes from the seizure and high blood pressure. He was not worried about any of it and the pressure in my eyes was perfect.
James 1:12 says "Blessed
is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall
receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that
love him." No matter what we endure on earth, we have to keep our faith and trust God. As long as we believe, obey, are baptized, and live our lives according to the will of God, we will receive a crown of life.
Thursday, March 21, 2013
Monday, March 11, 2013
Fighting the Unknown
I do not talk about my illness very much, but I think it is important for others to be informed.
On November 7, 2012 everything changed. I went to the hospital with a severe headache and nausea where I learned my blood pressure was 217/137-basically death level. A short time later I had a seizure and do not remember anything that happened the rest of the night. I was admitted into MICU where I had to be monitored because I was on a blood pressure drip medicine.
I spent four days in MICU with doctors running every kind of test you can imagine. I saw a lung doctor, a kidney doctor, a neurologist, and a heart doctor. All of the tests showed up negative and obviously the doctors had no idea what was going on. My kidney doctor, who is wonderful, thought I needed a kidney biopsy. I agreed and a few days later the procedure was done. My kidney doctor was 99% sure it was Lupus-an autoimmune disease.
After being released from MICU I stayed in a regular room for six days. The doctors did not have anything figured out by the time I was released. My kidney biopsy results were received about a week later. The results: Diffuse Scleroderma. I suffered what is called a Scleroderma Renal Crisis-basically your kidneys fail. I lost 40% of my kidneys that I will never get back. Diffuse Scleroderma is the thickening of arteries. The arteries in my kidneys thickened and no blood could flow through, causing part of them to die. It is a rare disease that cannot be cured.
I am doing much better now and continue to improve. Having support from my family has pushed me through the hardest of times. I will not feel sorry for myself because having a home in Heaven is my goal here on earth. The day I feel sorry for myself is the day Satan starts creeping in. There are still hard days where Satan tries to take over but I know that his way only leads to destruction. Matthew 7:13-14 states, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
On November 7, 2012 everything changed. I went to the hospital with a severe headache and nausea where I learned my blood pressure was 217/137-basically death level. A short time later I had a seizure and do not remember anything that happened the rest of the night. I was admitted into MICU where I had to be monitored because I was on a blood pressure drip medicine.
I spent four days in MICU with doctors running every kind of test you can imagine. I saw a lung doctor, a kidney doctor, a neurologist, and a heart doctor. All of the tests showed up negative and obviously the doctors had no idea what was going on. My kidney doctor, who is wonderful, thought I needed a kidney biopsy. I agreed and a few days later the procedure was done. My kidney doctor was 99% sure it was Lupus-an autoimmune disease.
After being released from MICU I stayed in a regular room for six days. The doctors did not have anything figured out by the time I was released. My kidney biopsy results were received about a week later. The results: Diffuse Scleroderma. I suffered what is called a Scleroderma Renal Crisis-basically your kidneys fail. I lost 40% of my kidneys that I will never get back. Diffuse Scleroderma is the thickening of arteries. The arteries in my kidneys thickened and no blood could flow through, causing part of them to die. It is a rare disease that cannot be cured.
I am doing much better now and continue to improve. Having support from my family has pushed me through the hardest of times. I will not feel sorry for myself because having a home in Heaven is my goal here on earth. The day I feel sorry for myself is the day Satan starts creeping in. There are still hard days where Satan tries to take over but I know that his way only leads to destruction. Matthew 7:13-14 states, "Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it."
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