My medications

I was thinking that the medications I take to keep the Lupus at bay is interesting.  For instance,according to my prescription bottle,Gabapentin,  for my neuropathy is used for treating seizures associated with epilepsy.  It may also be used for the shingles infection.  I also take Mycophenlat, which prevents organ rejection following kidney, liver or heart transplants.  None of my scripts contain the words "also used for Lupus."  I do not have seizures but it kills my nerve pain.  I did not have an organ transplant nor do I have any major organ involvement with Lupus.  However, I just recently had to increase the Mycophenolat due to a two week crappy feeling.  I guess what I'm trying to say, I'm glad these drugs are available even though they need to be re-labeled :)

This is on my mind, since the walk is this Sunday.  I hope the Tri-State Lupus Foundation reaches their goal.  www.lupusloop.org/teamedelson

Today is good.

 What an awesome feeling to be pain free first thing in morning.  It makes the day seem like a breeze.  There is nothing I can't conquer today.  I fell asleep sitting up watching TV, with my Kindle in my hand and the dog at my feet.  She must of known to keep my feet warm or she just liked being on the sofa.  I even lost 3 lbs.   Maybe I will win the biggest Loser contest after all...

Hope is like a bird that senses the dawn and carefully starts to sing while its still dark. -Anonymous.

  I love to hear the birds sing but could they wait an hour?

Puffy clouds

I know I'm a dork, a geek, or whatever its called these days.  I can't help looking outside my very dirty windows at work.  Beyond those windows, is a beautiful sky.  The clouds are puffy like cotton balls, and so white and skimming the sky.  It's so peaceful.  I can imagine myself hanging out on one of those clouds, a book in one hand, and one of those fancy umbrella drinks in the other. 

The picture in this blog is to remember what life is really about. It's called positive noticing.  I try to store these moments in my head when things are not right in the world.  Puffy clouds make me smile, keep me focused on what is real in this world.  This picture was taken after a storm, and the sun was peaking out of the clouds.  It was how I felt that day....





3 colors?

I work in a industrial area with not much around.  My nutty boss has now painted the building 3 colors, bright blue, turquoise and bright green. 

 People in this immediate area would get this joke below...

If my boss decides to paint a mermaid on the side, and the stripper poles arrive, this woman is outta here!

Ironic.

"While it may be difficult to change the world, it is always possible to change the way we look at it"  -Matthieu Ricard

Someone once told me not to worry about the future.  You can't predict what happens tomorrow, 10 or 20 years from now.  Wouldn't it be great to have that crystal ball?  Of course, the problem with a crystal ball, it will not only tell you the good but will tell you the problems of your future. 

The irony, this person who gave me this great advice had a stroke today.  I hope he makes a full recovery.  Strokes are silent killers with barely any warning.  

I think I want to stay in the present.  Take one day or one hour at a time.  It makes life more exciting.  With Lupus, I can only expect to take one day at a time.

Blog on Blogging.

According to Dictionary.com, the definition of blogging is:

a Web site containing the writer's or group of writers' own experiences, observations, opinions, etc., and often having images and links to other Web sites.

I have been writing in journals since I was 12.  I know this as fact since I had these journals in my closet until recently.  I shredded each page a few months ago.  I didn't want to toss them in the dumpster for the fear of someone getting a hold of them.  They do contain people's names and other life changing information.

Now, people don't normally journal.  I don't even handwrite my notes, and I have an App for my Post-It notes.  Most of the bloggers share their thoughts to all to read.   Blogging for me is a type of an emotional outlet.  It's a way of purging  my emotional database.  Once it is written, I don't have to think about it ever again.  I normally don't read it ever again, I never check my grammar, and I certainly don't care about spelling.

Groundhog Day.

I know I've written about this topic before, but it seems appropriate to repeat myself.

Have you ever have the feeling you have done this before?  Sometimes, my life is like the movie, Groundhog Day.  I could get up from my desk at work with a purpose, and a few seconds later, I can't remember why I got up.  I know it's important, its just not in my thought process anymore.  I go back to my desk, sit down, and remember why I got up.  I get up, and a few seconds later, I don't remember.  I pretend to walk around the office with a purpose so they don't think I'm crazy or losing my mind.  It gets worse because now I'm angry and frustrated at myself. 

I'm glad the weekend is almost here.  The sun and the cool air will be a pleasant diversion.  I hope Hal and I can go out somewhere to enjoy the weather, maybe a park.  He can take his photos and I can breathe some fresh air, maybe find a bench somewhere and take in the scenery.  Take me to a place where I don't need my brain to think.

This post has nothing to do with Lupus.  Just a warning that you may be shocked.

We have an "adult book store" near our house.  I don't know how long its been there but it seems like forever.  I pass often and I never really notice it.  Its a clean building with beige stucco walls, and white louvered windows.   A sign outside, that I think says Adult book store but I can't remember the full name of the store.  People seem to park in the back away from traffic so I really don't see anyone entering or leaving. 

This is the funny part. The only time I've ever noticed the place is when the men are protesting.  The signs state it is a sin and the building should be torn down.  I think these men who are hanging outside this establishment might want to reconsider this protest.  I don't think they realize its helping business and not hurting it.  It's a free promotion to the store.  People are naturally curious to see what is behind those closed doors.  Especially, when signs say it's a sin.... just saying.

Oh by the way, the man who owns this store, owns 2 more.  He has made a small fortune for himself.

Pretty in Purple

Hal and I went to the Tri-State Lupus Symposium this past Saturday.  I was a bit nervous since I didn't know what to expect.  Was I going to learn something new?  No, not much except, I forgot, people with Lupus never look sick. 

This month is Breast Cancer awareness.  Everything is so pink, including the eggs have a pink stamp on them.  Please don't get me wrong, I'm very much wanting to see a cure for breast cancer and all types cancers.  My dear friend has cancer and its very painful to watch her struggle with the physical and emotional issues.  I walked this year in the Komen Race for the Cure.  Komen has sued many companies for their use of "for the cure."  It is a trademarked catch phrase which controls the breast cancer brand name.  Scary?

http://blog.oup.com/2010/12/breast-cancer/  Talks about the Pink

When does Lupus get its awareness?  When do we get our support from the NFL, MBA, the banks, the Dairy and Egg Foundation of America? When do we get 10 cents for every lid returned to the manufacturer for a cure?  There are approximately 1.5 million Americans and 5 million people worldwide who have some type of Lupus. 

I have Lupus.  I guess I need to start the fight for awareness but where do I start?

To be continued....I'm not done being pissed off.

Pears in pink?  The Philadelphia Skyscrapers in pink at night?