I'm very happy to announce that my chemo is working! My eosinophil count is 100!!! Normal is 100-300 and mine has previously been as high as 6000 before so this is a HUGE praise! This is the lowest that my count has been in 3 years! I'm currently being weaned off my steroid meds and should be steroid free in less than one month if all stays as is. This is wonderful since the side affects of the steroids aren't very pretty. I will stay on the chemo indefinitely and I'm okay with that since it seems to be a good treatment that is working. The side effects I have from it aren't that bad...just a little bit of nausea, some loss of appetite and energy, but I'm hoping that will also level out some.
Thanks so much to those of you that have kept me lifted up in prayer. It has been a very humbling thing. I'm starting to feel much better and can only give my Lord the glory for that! This has been one of the biggest trials of my life, but I have been able to lean on Jesus in ways that I never did before. I've learned to appreciate the little things and not sweat the small stuff...but, most of all, I have a renewed urgency to serve my Lord, share His love and soak in His Truth. Going through this kind of trial has really reminded me of how short and fragile life is. The Bible verse that I've leaned on during this time has been James 1:2-4 "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." Am I mature and complete yet? No, not even close... but I have been able to come to a place where I can consider this journey that I'm on as a "joyous" one because I know that I'm exactly where He wants me to be so that He can accomplish His greater purpose! That, my friends, puts a smile on my face! :)
Thanks again for your continued prayers.
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Thursday, July 1, 2010
HES update July 2010
7/1/10
I attempted to apply for SS Disability and learned yesterday that I don't qualify. I knew that I wouldn't qualify for SSD because I've been a SAHM for most of the past 15 years and don't have enough work credits in. However, I thought I might qualify for SSI. Unfortunately, my husband makes too much money and that puts us over the income bracket for SSI. The gentleman that I spoke with did say that my HES would qualify me otherwise. Medical expenses aren't figured into the equation either. I was told that I need to work four years to get all the work credits in to qualify for SSD. I'm not sure what I'll do, what I can do, or what the Lord wants me to do...BUT, I do know one thing...
"My God shall supply all my needs according to His glorious riches in Jesus Christ!" Phil. 4:19
In other news, I found out that nothing is wrong with my back/upper leg bones. That is a huge praise since the medicine that I've been on can cause bone loss. The doctor that I saw told me that people that have autoimmune disorder sometimes have pain in the exact location that I'm having it. He said it's probably just inflammation and there's nothing they can do for that other than give me steroid shots directly into it. I could take anti-inflammatory meds, but with my disorder I can't take those or they'll cause more damage to my stomach. I opted not to get the shot for now, but can go get one anytime I need it.
7/6/10
I had another appt. with my Hemotologist today. My blood counts are off a little bit. She said that we'd wait another month and check them again then. I'm really not sure what she meant. I do know that my Red count was extrememly low and my white count is apparantly not what she'd like it to be. I wish I was a doctor so I had more understanding...or do I? At least I know that the Great Physician is my Father. :)
I attempted to apply for SS Disability and learned yesterday that I don't qualify. I knew that I wouldn't qualify for SSD because I've been a SAHM for most of the past 15 years and don't have enough work credits in. However, I thought I might qualify for SSI. Unfortunately, my husband makes too much money and that puts us over the income bracket for SSI. The gentleman that I spoke with did say that my HES would qualify me otherwise. Medical expenses aren't figured into the equation either. I was told that I need to work four years to get all the work credits in to qualify for SSD. I'm not sure what I'll do, what I can do, or what the Lord wants me to do...BUT, I do know one thing...
"My God shall supply all my needs according to His glorious riches in Jesus Christ!" Phil. 4:19
In other news, I found out that nothing is wrong with my back/upper leg bones. That is a huge praise since the medicine that I've been on can cause bone loss. The doctor that I saw told me that people that have autoimmune disorder sometimes have pain in the exact location that I'm having it. He said it's probably just inflammation and there's nothing they can do for that other than give me steroid shots directly into it. I could take anti-inflammatory meds, but with my disorder I can't take those or they'll cause more damage to my stomach. I opted not to get the shot for now, but can go get one anytime I need it.
7/6/10
I had another appt. with my Hemotologist today. My blood counts are off a little bit. She said that we'd wait another month and check them again then. I'm really not sure what she meant. I do know that my Red count was extrememly low and my white count is apparantly not what she'd like it to be. I wish I was a doctor so I had more understanding...or do I? At least I know that the Great Physician is my Father. :)
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