I know it has been a while since I have posted. Many of you know that I have been going through some health issues that have taken me away from my sewing...my peaceful place. I am back and ready to start sewing again.
It has been a whirlwind week. I finally made it to my rheumatology appointment last Wednesday. I was so looking forward to that appointment to finally get some relief from all of the joint pain I was having. Every joint in my body was affected except my elbows. I had trouble walking, sitting, laying. By the end of the afternoon on that Wednesday I was in the hospital. My kidneys had started to fail from the high dose of ibuprofen I was on combined with my being dehydrated. All is good with my kidneys now. My blood work was troubling too. The rheumatologist wanted me to have a consult with hematology/oncology because of my high white blood cell count.
As of this morning, I learned that I have two issues. I indeed have the auto immune disease, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) but they found that I also have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). For a while they did not know if the joint pain was just how I was presenting with the leukemia. This type of leukemia is not usually treated until other symptoms show. I still would not have known about it without the workup I had for the RA, so it was found early. Hematology is running one more test to determine if I should start treatment for the leukemia and rheumatology will decide on their treatment after that so the treatments don't interact.
In the meantime, I am on prednisone and feeling 90% better. Still having trouble with my ankles but that won't keep me from sewing.
I just wanted to thank everyone for their thoughts and prayers. This online sewing community is so special to me. Your kind words helped me and seeing all of your beautiful projects helped me too!
So....I have orders waiting to complete, a blog to do on the new Chris W Designs bag, and a post to do for Parcel #7 on Nov. 20.
Here is the pile of fabric that has been chosen for all of those things. I better get started!
I always say I don't use enough blues. It looks like it is all blue and black for a while.
I was just thinking of you (again) last night, wondering how you were doing. Life sure shakes us up once in a while, doesn't it? I'm glad you're feeling so much better! And also that they have things figured out as to what's going on. Now I'll pray that they get a good treatment plan going for you. Enjoy your sewing again!
ReplyDeleteThanks. It is so good to be back. I feel confident. I have great drs.
DeleteMaryilyn,
ReplyDeleteGlad to hear you at least have some answers and are feeling better. You do such beautiful work. I keep your posts in a folder in my email when I need inspiration. I hope it continues to go well for you and that you have an answer quickly on the treatment options available. And I completely understand about how sewing is your peaceful place. It is the same for me, and I am sure, many others. Take care. I will keep you in my prayers.
Thanks, Liz. I feel so good about the drs I have. The fact that these 2 doctors have nothing to do with each other yet they are working together on my case impresses me.
DeleteI echo Grandma G and Liz! I'm so glad that the doctors were able to find out what was wrong and were able to prescribe treatment for you. I'm praying for you, too, and I'll continue to that you would experience healing.
ReplyDeleteThat's wonderful that you are able to do some sewing again--it must be so encouraging. I'm looking forward to seeing your projects--and finding out especially what the planet fabric turns out to be!! You'll love sewing with blue!
Take care,
Krista
Thanks, Krista. You guys don't know how much your support has helped me. I don't choose much blue but obviously my customers want it since they picked all of these.
DeleteOh Marilyn,
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you're feeling better about the general pain. Always take your medications with food so you take care of your stomach too. About the leukemia I can see how the treatments are not too good together. Great that the doctors can work together and that they found the leukemia at an early stage. Take care of yourself and I'll be praying for you.
Hugs,
Norma
Thanks so much, Norma. Since my immune system is down a little, it is all about keeping myself as healthy as I can.
DeleteMarilyn, So glad you finally have some answers. Keeping you in my prayers! Happy that you are feeling well enough to be able to sew. Sewing always relaxes me, even when I make dumb mistakes, something about the creative process. Love your fabric choices!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judith. I'm cutting fabric as we speak. So ready to get back to creating.
DeleteWow, take care of yourself! I have to say, the word Leukemia scares me. I was diagnosed finally this year with Psoriatic Arthritis, along with having had Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, which is in remission according to the Rheumatologist. Of course, they've both caused Osteoarthritis. I had both hips replaced last year, which actually helped in the diagnosis. I've been seeing different Rheumatologists for years, and have been told everything from "It's all in your head." to "You seem to have some sort of immune disease, but we don't know what, and can't treat you." I'm glad you're diagnosed, and they can figure out treatment. I'm on Enbrel, which so far hasn't been too bad, although it doesn't seem to have helped much. By the way, my new doctor believes I've had Psoriatic since childhood too. Don't mean to discourage you, if I did, like I said, I'm so glad you've been diagnosed. I'm sure your treatment will go really well, and I'm glad you're already feeling so much better already. My escape from pain is quilting, I concentrate so much that things just feel better. I have a setup now that doesn't require me to get up and down constantly. I converted a wooden TV tray into an ironing board, and use a desk chair and swivel back and forth. I cut on my good days, and start cutting out a new project before the old one is done, usually while I'm quilting it, so I remember to get up and move my shoulders and back. cdahlgren at live dot com
ReplyDeleteThanks, Cindy. It is a little overwhelming at this point. It all happened so fast. I have been very pleased with the care I have received so far.
DeleteSo sorry for all your health issues! Please know that your readers care...and hope you can return to doing what you love....and continue to do so.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, Maryjo. Last night I cut out a bag and today is a sew day. Yay!!!!!!
DeleteI will be anxious to see it! Happy Friday!!
DeleteMarilyn I'm glad you found out what was going on with your health so you can work on getting better. A friend of mine as Fibromyalgia and it sounds somewhat like what you are going through too. Did they test for that? Anyhow I am looking forward to seeing your new bags made with those great looking fabrics! Take care.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Daryl. Ready to get back to work. Working on my Parcel #7 bag today.
DeleteSo happy you have a diagnosis. 90% of feeling better is having a name for what's wrong.
ReplyDeleteLooks like you a lot of lovely fabrics to keep your mind off the other stuff.
Thanks, Kathy. It felt so good to be in front of the sewing machine yesterday finally.
Delete