Polymositis

12/17/2008

My mom was recently diagnosed with Polymositis. Polymyositis is a disease that causes severe inflammation in skeletal muscle causing weakness and pain. Weakness is the predominant symptom. The proximal muscles of the legs are usually the most affected. Patients have difficulty walking up stairs and rising out of a chair. Proximal arm muscles are also affected. In severe cases heart muscle can be affected causing heart failure. The upper part of the pharynx and esophagus can be affected resulting in difficulty swallowing and choking. On occasion, there can also be inflammation in the lung. Inflammation in these areas if left untreated can cause scarring and tissue destruction. Therapy is largely prednisone but other agents have also been used with prednisone including methotrexate, azathioprine, cyclophosphamide, cellcept and TNF inhibitors. There has been an association of polymyositis and malignancy and careful cancer screening should be done.

Right now her legs are so bad that the doctors are telling her she WILL be in a wheel chair and she has been having difficulty swallowing. She has admitted to me that this is beginning to affect more muscles in her body. She is being sent to a specialist but because of the season it will likely be after the 1st of the year before they can work her in and by then who knows what more damage will have been done.


Update as of 12/19/2008 : Mom says that they are trying to get her in to see the specialist but because she has medicaid it's taking a bit longer. She's a bit lower on the waiting list because of her insurance! They are going to take a biopsy of the muscles on her legs to see how bad her legs are. She is on a lot of medicine, steroids as well. They are worried about her heart, and she has severe asthma. They say her left leg has gone farther than they had thought.

Update as of 12/21/2008 : Talked to my mom today, she isn't getting around too good but she is hopeful. She asks that we keep praying that she will get taken in by the specialist. The longer she has to wait the more downhill she goes.

Update as of 12/31/2008 : Mom hasn't been getting around too good but we are hopeful that they'll be able to get her in soon. She had some blood work done right before Christmas that hasn't come back yet. She is scared. And I am scared as well. I love my mother more than words can express. And I know that everything will be OK, I just have to be strong for her. Keep telling her that even though she doesn't let me see her crash into tears I know it happens. I am hoping for an update on the blood work soon.

Update as of 1/1/09: My mom is feeling better today, still waiting on her blood work but am hoping that she has more good days than bad. Today is good.

New Years???

Do we all really believe that what we're doing at midnight tonight is what we'll be doing all year? Some people actually do. Well this year when the clock strikes midnight I'll be here with my two youngest kids. My hubby will be at work and my two oldest kids are in NC with thier other Grandparents. Does this mean I'm destined to spend this year alone? Maybe Justin will come over and it won't be so bad but even so my hubby won't be here. I think that there is no truth to the New Years stuff they all spout, things happen everyday and no matter who or what your doing when that clock strikes midnight it doesn't mean you will or won't get that promotion this year. It's your choices and determination that land you better opportunities and that isn't determined every year when the clock strikes midnight. It's determined by each individual. New Years is an excuse or a somewhere ot place blame for a bad year and claim a fresh atrat. Some need the fresh start, if you need it take it. That's the beauty of New Year's. So Happy New Year's to you all.

Christmas Spirit???

I am not feeling the Christmas spirit this year like those already past. This year has been a bit hectic, topped off with our usual tradition of my (divorced but civil) parents and my in laws showing up for a big dinner on Christmas day at about 2pm. Well this year my mom is sick so she may not make it, my dad has said he has to cut wood. My MIL will be here, she wouldn't miss it for the world. And although I know my mom is sick, Polymositis, I did urge her to try to be here. My four kids look forward to this every year. Having the family together like that doesn't happen unless you badger and nudge a few lol. I'm nudged out, last year i had help doing dinner, my mom and MIL. This year it's all mine. Turkey, ham (with mom's special sauce), potato salad, mashed potatoes, mac-n-cheese, green beans, peas, conr on the cob, deviled eggs, cherry yum-yum, and chocolate cake. I know I'm forgetting something if so I'll throw it in later.

MIL and I took the kids to see the Christmas lights last night, they had a ball and it lifted my spirits somewhat. I guess I feel guilty, kind of like I'm acting like a brat. But oh well, I'll get over it, Christmas is coming and I'm wrapping and planning. Getting ready to cook all day tomorrow and be up at 5a.m. to cook more on Christmas morning.

The kids and I did a Gingerbread House, icing was too thin, lol. The poor thing looks like it's covered with runny, melted snow but the kids had fun and that was the whole reason to do it at all. Merry Christmas to anyone who happens to read this, Happy New Year.

Caylee Anthony

http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/12/19/caylee.anthony/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

Well it's official, this little girl isn't out there somewhere waiting to be found. Her little life was snuffed out. I find it extremely disturbing that the child abuse seems to be leaping out of everywhere around the world as if these children are nothing but toys to be cast out like trash when your tired of caring for them. Where the hell are the real parents? You know I have kids and if anyone hurt my kids I'd be the on up in front of them. Standing up for them like a parent should. And yet the headlines are so full of mom's and dad's, step parents and boyfriends who abused these poor children to death. I'm so sickened by this. And not only is it Little Caylee but BabyP http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1084972/Treated-like-dog-used-punchbag-The-life-death-baby-boy-called-Smiley.html
I am mortified that this seems to be a rising trend. WTH can people possibly get out of abusing a child I do not know but I hope they all get punished although I'm sure their victims suffered far worse than they will.

KFC????

Watch more videos at KentuckyFriedCruelty.com.

Animal cruelty is cruelty, it does not matter what animal it is or what their bred for. This is cruel and I'm disgusted by it to say the least. Please follow the link and help stop the cruelty. KentuckyFriedCruelty.com.