Monday, September 8, 2008

Just Take Your Medicine, already...

First this at 0730...
Then this...

New meds start today. I am looking forward to the energy that the IV steroid will give me, but not to the "Ick" feeling the Methotrexate could give me. Oh well, what can you do? Those little orange pills don't look so bad, do they? The 2 big calcium tabs are the gaggers. The yellow one is Folic Acid. Suppose to help keep my hair from falling out. Could have used that starting 6 months ago, let me tell ya. The good thing is I only have to take the Methotrexate once a week. I'll increase the dose each week. I can't find anyone my age with this disease, so I'll blog about it in hope that we can connect and compare notes!
In the mean time, with all of the energy I am suppose to have, I might take the offer of painting and organizing the house of my friend and neighbor, Jennifer...Thanks Jen!!
l, Dana

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

I don't think a spoonful of sugar would help all of that medicine go down - so I hope my prayers will help!!!

Love you!
Anonymous d

Dana said...

Thanks, Anonymous d...You're the best!!!
l, notorious

Amanda said...

Those calcium tablets are horse pills Dana!
Good luck to you during your treatment. I hope it goes ok and doesn't make you feel too sick:)
love and big hugs,
Amanda x

dani said...

hey, d... prayers from this d too:)
l,
d

Anonymous said...

Dana,

Praying for you to have a great start to this new round! Just came from a marathon staff planning meeting and when we talked about evangelism I thought of you and Kimmel Park!
God Bless you for starting this sometimes controversial ministry!

Joanne

Dana said...

Joanne,
Love that ministry. Always felt good to fight the good fight. Right? Prayers were answered when Anne took the job and again when you took it!! Two people with a heart for God and for those awesome kids!
Thanks for checking out my rambling blog…I try not to rant too much!
Love, Dana

Dana said...

D,
Woo Hoo!! Thank you Thank you!!! Thanks for the offer to hold my hand and hold my hair back if needed. Add that to the definition of "Friend".
Love you!!!!!!!! Dana

Tanya said...

Oh Dana those calcium tablets are huge!!! I hope & pray that this medication will do it's job without making you too sick!! keeping you in my prayers :)

lots of love & (((hugs)))

tanya xxxx

Shannon said...

I think you have a good team of prayer warriors on your side.
I wish you the best and that the meds do what they are supposed to do!
My mom takes her weekly shot of Methol...keeps her walking!!!!!

Tabitha said...

Sending you lots of love and hugs ~
XXX

Nancy said...

Hey Dana,
You are in my thoughts and prayers. As a matter of fact, I think of you every time I drink lemonade. Remember the day the very large container of lemonade overturned in your vehicle. So good to see your beautiful smile. Hang tough girl!!
Love ya, Nancy (FUMC office bud)

Anonymous said...

I think of you (all of you) all the time. I didn't realize you were having to take so much medicine. I need to keep up more!!!! I no longer have a cell phone, so I lost your numbers. My prayers are with you and I'm sorry you are sick.
If you want to sign up on facebook I'm on alot and it a great way to keep intouch (I think better than blogging because it is more interactive and can be more private.) Love ya, Frances

susan pardue said...

Sorry to hear of your diagnosis. I too have the disease. I was diagnosed in 1993 and it has been a battle but I am still fighting it. Have tried many meds and research studies, but none have been successful in taming the inflammation in my muscles. Currently on an injection of methotrexate once a week, folic acid and prednisolone every other day. I get IVIg infusions every 6 to 8 weeks. Am curious to hear exactly what meds you are on now and have tried so far. My dr. is a rheumatologist in Nashville. Hang in there! Susan P. (an FUMC member)

Dana said...

Susan-
So glad to hear from you! Cellcept was my first med May 16, 2008. I was on prednisone 20mg taper for awhile as well. I traveled to John Hopkins to the Myositis Clinic in Aug. for a 2nd opinion. I am now on Methatrexate load to top out at 25mg/week. To switch over from Cellcept to Mthtrxt, I was "IV pulsed" with Solumedrol 1000mg to give my system a boost and am now on a very slow Prednisone taper (taper 2.5mg/2 weeks) from 20mg. This seems to be the most common regime. Because of the Prednisone, I have so much more energy and feel so much better! I am praying that the Mthtrxt will have "kicked in" by the time my weaning is through. In the meantime, I sure am getting projects and chores accomplished at break neck speed! I have also begun my exercise program again and hope that can continue as well.
Sooooo glad you got in touch! Strange thing is, is that anyone I have spoken to who has Dermatomyositis---I have known them/their families before I even knew they had the disease! Haven't spoken to a stranger yet!
Have you had Rituxin yet? Please keep in touch, Susan! I will pray for you!!
Grace and Peace...Dana