Mama: “How are you feeling, Will?”

Will(5): “I’m a-bumbly sick”

I think Sophie has chicken pox. I say “I think” because none of my other children has ever had them. Catherine, Andrew, and Caroline were all immunised before returning to the States from England. She’s not sick so much - a tad fussy and scratching her rash. Good thing I keep a supply of colloidal oatmeal on hand for dry skin and cradle cap!

Other than calamine, any suggestions for relief?

They don’t call me the Plaid Princess for nothing around here. I adore all things tartan. When I saw this chair, I knew it was the one for me. It matches my specs, too!

Now I’ll be cruising the mall in style - whether I like it or not. Now about that tiara…

So I visited my new Rheumatologist this afternoon. She’s my fourth - the hazards of going to a university hospital, I guess. We went over my history, the meds I’d taken and their efficacy. We narrowed it down to… you guessed it… Enbrel. Fortunately, the intake nurse included religious restrictions in my questionnaire (that’s new!), so Dr. Salomon-Ferrera (that’s my new Dr.’s name) knew that wasn’t going to be an option. In fact, she said, “We’re running out of options”. “Yes, I know” and to myself “at least, we’re running out of allopathic options”.

They deflated Spalding (it’s what we call my knee now) and extracted 75cc of lovely synovial fluid for research. Alas, it didn’t come close to my record of over 100cc… I’m scheduled for an MRI to assess what, if any, damage there is to the knee. From there, we determine whether or not (and what type) of surgery I might need.

Dr. Salomon-Ferrera graciously agreed to fill in the DMV form for an HP Packard (ugh) and I should have one, heaven-knows-when. Brian insisted that I get one. I avoid shopping, no I totally refrain from shopping, when I’m not in remission. No malls (I’d rather have root canal), no grocery stores, no nothing. And the biggest news is that I am in fact getting a wheelchair. Only for shopping… Was there EVER a husband who encouraged his wife to shop? How strange.

So that’s it in a nutshell - still off the old feet, at least for a little while. I’m feeling more comfy and just a bit lighter. I’m drinking, drinking, drinking water and awaiting a lovely big delivery of fresh organic produce to juice in an all-out effort to alkalize my body.

I’m looking forward to seeing my rheumy this week for an aspiration. I always feel much better and they get a lovely large donation of synovial fluid for their research! I do need to stay
off the leg now until I get into a remission. That means getting a portable chair for shopping and a plackard.

I’m going to be increasing my fluids, namely distilled water, starting today. Did you know that you should take half as many fluid ounces as you weigh in pounds? For instance, a 150 lb person should be drinking 75 floz… That’s the first step in reversing the flare… Got a quart in while writing already!

…As they’re faced with a relapse of my psoriatic arthritis. This looks like a pretty severe flare. It came on very quickly and I am unable to walk. My cane is useless to me since the arthritis has settled into my right arm (elbow, wrist and hand). Our home is not equipped for assistive devices, though I think I may need a wheelchair at least temporarily. It is so difficult for them. The children must help out far more than they should, Brian has to juggle work and caring for me. The little ones don’t understand why Mama can’t get down and play. Extended family and friends find it difficult to understand the cycle of relapse and remission.

I am unable to take medications because I’m nursing our little Louis who is just 2 months old. The medication my doctor wants to give me is extremely effective, but I can’t get an answer about how it is manufactured – whether or not it is made with fetal cells… We are hoping to find a naturopathic doctor that understands our religious perspective on NFP and prolonged nursing. I have had remission as a result of very careful diet changes, but it takes time to see results. Perhaps it would interest people if I kept a diary of my process and progress…

In the meantime, things are hard for Brian and the children. I am trying to get through this with as much grace and dignity as possible, without overburdening them with chores to do.

Update: I was able to confirm that Enbrel is manufactured from aborted fetal cells, therefore it is off my list.