Oops, I did it again…

September 11, 2022.Reading time 10 minutes.

In 2019, I finished out my school year, and traveled to visit my dad for father’s day. I was very run down and felt horrible, but attributed it to an autoimmune arthritis flare. I became deathly ill with vomiting/diarrhea and a high fever. I had pneumonia. Fast forward to my first day of school (with […]

Cross your fingers for me…

July 17, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

I started my new biosimilar infusions to treat my autoimmune arthritis in May 2022. Everyone asked me, “Is it working?” Honestly, it’s hard to tell. I was cautiously optimistic. Slowly, I noticed I could walk my dog for longer periods, walk upstairs to use the bathroom at the end of the day (instead of crawling […]

Worst fear…again….

July 3, 2022.Reading time 4 minutes.

COVID19 was a big part of my 2020. I’ve documented the death of my dad and uncle due to the virus. Both ended up in the hospital and rehab settings due to falls. That was pre-vaccines. Over the past two years, I’ve done all that I can to protect not only my immunocompromised self, but […]

Maybe…

June 27, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

I’ve completed the last loading dose of my newest bio similar infusion drug, Inflectra. I know most of my family and friends are waiting to know….do I feel better. That is a tricky question to answer. I met with my rheumatologist and had to have an answer to that very question. My answer: Maybe Not […]

Try, try, try….

May 9, 2022.Reading time 7 minutes.

I’ve been having a difficult time with my autoimmune arthritis. Firstly, I no longer know what to call my disease. I don’t fit any definition completely. Do I have symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis? Yes. Do I have symptoms of Lupus? Yes. Do I have symptoms of Psoriatic Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis, Spondylitis, and Non Radial Graphic […]

A little more living…

April 26, 2022.Reading time 6 minutes.

A few years ago, I began taking a drug called Kevzara. This drug, for me, was a miracle. For the first time in years, I saw my ankles on a consistent basis. My swelling decreased significantly and I felt pretty good. At one point, I was walking 5 miles a day, losing weight, and feeling […]

April showers

April 3, 2022.Reading time 8 minutes.

April is always a difficult month for me. It is the anniversary of several event that changed my life forever. Some good, most bad. Regardless, every year, I cringe when April rolls around. My cousin Chris died on 4/20/2011. He was 34. He was the most anti-social social person I ever met. Brilliant man with […]

A unicorn on roller-skates…

February 13, 2022.Reading time 5 minutes.

This past few weeks I’ve been dealing with a horrible rheumatoid arthritis flare. It started after the holidays and has caused me to miss time from work, avoid get togethers, and greatly altered my life. I’ve also been rekindling my affair with my trusty cane. Basically, nothing fun. Last year, I felt like my meds […]

One step at a time…

February 9, 2022.Reading time 3 minutes.

It’s been a hot minute since I’ve posted a blog. There are 15 blogs in my drafts that I just couldn’t finish. I feel like I lost my voice for a bit. I’ve lived in pain for over 20 years. This past year; however, I feel like my disease is out of control. Medication barely […]

Alone….

November 10, 2021.Reading time 7 minutes.

On November 10, 2020, my father, James Conway, died from complication caused by COVID19. Those complications included sepsis, pneumonia, urinary tract infection. Over the past year, I have had people ask me, “Did your dad have pre-existing complications?” Of course he did, he was 84. My dad had various health conditions, but he went into […]