So here we are a month later and I am still sick. The cough is not letting up. I am on a prescription cough med. The heavy, achey feeling in my chest is just hanging on.

I had a friend suggest that I might still have broncitis or chronic broncitis. My lungs are one place that the lupus is causing some persistant problems. I was wondering if any of you have these long term coughing/ broncitis problems?  Have any of you found anything to help?

Well I am off. I woke up with some energy this morning. I am hoping with the families help to finish painting  my living room and tomorrow get everything back to normal. I hate living with everything all jumbled up.

Take care my friends and God bless!

What I found through news and lupus groups is the following:

Micheal gave an interview to Oprah in 1993 that seems to be discussing an autoimmune disease problem.

Also in October of 1993 Micheal made an appearance at a Lupus LA fundraiser. PICS

As to his unusual appearance. Lupus can do some horrible things to the face. African Americans are hit hard by lupus and tend to not get treated appropriately or promptly. Micheal was more than likely surrounded by drs thanks to his money but still lupus is hard to diagnosis unless you are looking.

While I do not agree with how he lived his life. I do feel pity for him. I pray that he knew the Lord and he is now in heaven.

So here are some questions friends. I crash for 3-4 weeks then slowly start coming back up then within the month crash again. Is this normal? I am wondering if it is time to try another med?  The hair is so bad that hubby told be gently to try another style that the front was showing very thin.

hmmmm Am I ready for that rockin’ wig?  Any way lots of love and healing go out to you my friends. May the Lord bless you and keep you in the palm of His hand!

The last three years have shown a marked improvement through. Herbs were the first thing to grow great for me. Then slowly I expanded. Last year was going wonderfully until the groundhog family moved into their den 100 feet from my garden but on someone else’s property. They ate everything but the thyme and garlic chives. I cried but made plans for a stronger fence.

This year started out scary. Groundhog family still there, but smaller the kits moved out. The worst happened a wind storm knocked down the fence completely leaving my garden exposed to the critter population! Hubby to the rescue.

He worked hard and put up fencing all around the garden and reinforced the possible problem areas. I have more growing in my garden this year than ever before and so far so good. Everything is healthy.

On top of that with the lupus I added several pots around the doors. I put the pamper needy plants near at hand in case I couldn’t make the stairs. They too are growing well! I am excited Lord please bless this garden to grow and produce food for my family.

Are you a gardener? Tell me how you are doing. I would love to pray for a blessing on your garden as well. The Lord will bless that which we need and food is one of those important needs. Take care and God bless!

I have come to the place wear I realize that I have to hire someone to mow. I love to mow. It is peacefull and once it is done you can see clearly that you accomplished something. Now I have limited energy and mowing saps it quick. So I have decided to reserve that energy for gardening.

So far the garden is suceeding wonderfully! I have tomatoes, potatoes, herbs, lettuce, melons, and various squash. So far only one animal attack and it nibbled down the lettuce. This year I am branching out to the decks as well. I figure that I can make it to the decks easier than out to the garden. So I placed some plants that need a bit more pampering near the doors.

I dream for the day I have my new home. The one where I have ample acreage, level living, and wide halls and doors for when I need the wheelchair. AHHH!

That brings up a good question are there programs out there to help you secure a loan to build a handicap accessable home? My two of children and I have moderate to severe movement issues depending on our current health needs. Any millionaires wishing to do a good deed??? Ah well I will keep paying off debt and saving money.

Take care my friends and God bless!

I have felt ever since as if I only have about 1/3 of my energy. I am constantly in pain and my lymph nodes are swollen again. I have only begun to feel slightly better in the last three days.

I actually cancelled going to a conference I was excited about for lack of energy. I think that this is the first time lupus has truely hurt me bad enough to greatly impact my life.

I have to go to the dr soon. I’ll talk it over with her. I also have to go through the whole thyroid work up again. Well take care my friends I hope that you are doing better than me this beautiful spring.

God bless!

All I can say is HAH my taste buds were right! Eight o’clock coffee was the best. I changed to them a couple of months ago and really like it. Starbucks is okay. I question the price but when you are on the road it is better than the alternative.

So lets talk about the alternative. This past weekend to try to cut some corners I tried the little free taste testers at McDonald’s. YUCK!!! Everything I tried was so horrible I didn’t even finish it. This coming from a Navy gal. Navy coffee is known to walk off if you mistreat it. I would advise you to try a freebie taste before you buy.

Take care my fellow coffee lover’s

PS I love Chia too and Starbuck’s is great!

If you will remember I became an advocate with them a few months ago. You can stop in at their site and sign up yourself. Fight where you are for better visibility, better treatments, and a CURE. No one should have to suffer and die from lupus. I fight for myself as well as my children, and yours!

While on that note I need to share something that has me sad and anxious. Two of my lovely daughters will be tested for ANA levels and other autoimmune markers next week. I pray and I would ask if you could join me in prayer. That these tests would come back normal! Lord please protect my little ones. Thank you for your support and friendship. God bless friends.

Now I have had all their tests. The results were not what they expected but not fine. The results were gray at best. Now when I am supposed to be having return visits I am getting the run around.

“well the dr thinks you can wait until mid June”
Not the last time I talked to the dr. Nurses would do well to get second jobs with the Mafia no one would be late on a payment!

“Your tests were basically fine, but you do need another ultrasound and biopsy.”
First cancer tests that are BASICALLY fine scare me. Would they like to have a basically fine cancer test?! The other thing that gets me is if I am so fine then why do I need a biopsy and ultrasound again?

The medical maze just keeps getting more convoluted. I hope that I am able to settle some of these issues with the drs when I see them. That is when? I see them. I’ll keep you updated friends! Take care and God bless!

I had heard that many business gurus were touting the demise of Starbucks. With responsiveness like this I will give them my business. Keep it up Starbucks and thanks for a Celiac trying to stay healthy!