Lately....

I've done alot of thinking about some things that I've read and heard lately.  My friend writes and some things that she wrote lately, have really inspired me to "Keep It Real Girl".  Then on a blog that I follow, I read that she is dealing with some cancer issues.  My heart gets so heavy when I read things like that.  I too have some medical issues, here's my story.....


About 2 months ago on a Wednesday, I showed my fingernails to a friend of mine who has been a nurse for 20+ years.  You see, they have horizontal grooves (left to right) in all but 3 of my fingernails.  Normal grooves go from top of the nail bed to the ends.  When I showed them to her, she freaked and told me to contact a Respiratory Specialist ASAP because it usually means that there is a problem with the lungs.  Well, I forgot to call a doctor the next day, but remembered to call one on Friday morning.  My friend didn't personally know of a specialist so I turned to my trusty local phone book.  Come to find out, the 3 lung specialists in my town all work in the same office, how convenient.  Anyways, I called and told them my story.  They were quick to act and got me in there that afternoon for a lung test and an x-ray, then made an appt. with the doctor for that next Monday.

Monday I showed up at the doctors office and met the doctor for the first time.  Very nice man, he was so patient in explaining things to me.  He said he is very concerned at the results of the tests.  The lung test showed that my lungs are actually smaller than they should be, and the xray showed that I have scaring on my right lung and it looks like I might have Lupus.  Wow, I NEVER even thought of Lupus, did you?  I didn't even know what Lupus was.  Did you know there isn't a cure for Lupus only treatment?  Neither did I until I started reading up on it.  My doctor said that he wanted to send me to an Arthritis Specialist and he was a little shocked when I told him that I already see one because I have Rheumatoid Arthritis.  Well, wouldn't you know it, arthritis and Lupus have common denominators.  Aaaahhhhhhh.

Well, the next step was to do some more testing and an MRI.  I scheduled the VQ test (stress test with a dye injection) and the MRI.  The insurance company OK'd the VQ test but decided not to approve the MRI just yet, they say it is too early to get an MRI done.  When the results came in from the VQ test, they confirmed that I have major scarring on the right lung and the best thing to do right now is to exercise to help my lungs expand and hopefully learn to cope.  My doctor firmly believes that I have Lupus but have to wait to do more testing because of the insurance company.  He will continue to appeal the insurance companies decision on the MRI but for now I have a follow up appt in 6 months and an appt with my Arthritis doctor in 5 months, blood work, blech.

Its weird how some people treat you when you MIGHT have a disease or something.  I've had to have talks with my kids and the people I work with to let them know that I still want to be treated like me and not me with a possible disease.  It's important to me to live life to the fullest and as normal (whatever that is) as possible.  God is with me every single second of my life and I know that He will be with me throughout this whole ordeal.  Until then, I will laugh, cry, smile, frown, and love just like I did before.

Thanks for letting me "Keep It Real Girl".
I'll update you when I know more.

God Bless,
    Shauna