Hello everyone!

[Lucinda]

Just wanted to check in and say hello.

I am still eating a soft diet and yogurt, with a few little bits of protein, and trying to keep my stomach under control while I take this chemo med for my joint problems, so I have been avoiding food posts. It's been really painful lately and I am pretty wiped out. I should know in a few more weeks if it has helped.

I've been following the Japan posting in GD. Such a sad, sad situation.

Hope you are all well and having wonderful meals!

♥ Lucinda

[Denninmi]

1. What are you taking?

Methotrexate?

My sister is on that for rheumatoid arthritis. It's kind of hard on you at first, but you do get more used to it as time goes on. And it does help a lot. She is also on Humira. She had to go off it for a few weeks to have surgery, and had quite the relapse. Now that she is able to take the drugs again, she can move again.

[Lucinda]

2. Yes. Methotrexate. I'm glad to hear that it helped her!

And that it continues to after resuming after surgery. :)

My doctor said some people have wonderful results with it. I don't have an official RA diagnosis, but we had tried everything else, so my doc thought it was worth a shot.

I don't know if I could keep doing it long term though. It seems to be really hard on my stomach. I think Monday will be 8 weeks for me. I started out with 7.5 MG once a week, and it really seemed to make a great deal of difference week one, then after that, I had MORE pain and horrible fatigue. Then the stomach problems started. I am at 10 mg now. I feel awful for 6 days then just about the time I feel a little better, it's time to take the meds again.

Hopefully I'll get used to it.
Thanks for replying...it helps to know that it CAN work.

[beac]

3. A (gentle) hug for you:

:hug:

I truly sympathize. I've been having a little nausea related to these %^$@(*!# headaches that just won't go away. It's no fun. I think the stomach pain is worse than the head pain. hard to feel perky when your gut's in turmoil.

Hope the coming weeks find you much improved. :)

[Lucinda]

4. And the same to you!

I hate being nauseous. I can handle pain better than I can being queasy. Hope you're feeling much better soon. I have good luck with acupressure for headaches, but I don't get them migraine strength.

[eleny]

5. It's so nice that you checked in and let us know how you're doing & wishing us well, too!

[Lucinda]

9. :)

I miss you guys!

[Tesha]

6. So your choices are...

painful joints or horribly upset stomach? Oh Lucinda...

hug hug hug

[Lucinda]

10. Thankie Tesha.

It get's more complicated too....I have diverticulitis (osis) I don-t remember which is the disease and which is a flare-up lol...anyway I have also had several abdominal surgeries...so my digestion problems sort of effect the rest of my health in abnormal ways. Fun eh! :P

[yellerpup]

7. Hiya Luc!

So sorry you've been in pain lately. I know of nothing more stressful or exhausting. No wonder you are feeling wiped out, poor darling. Take good care of yourself and do keep in touch. Looking forward to your being back in full force with your whole sassy self out front! :hi:

[Lucinda]

11. Thankie sweetie!

Miss ya!
I've been hanging out in GD and reading about Japan...not good for my health per se - but it puts things into perspective for me, and gives me something to focus on besides the "po me blues"

[yellerpup]

13. How coincidental....

I have a file in my computer called "PFM" (poor f&#%ing me) and that's where I go to feel sorry for myself. LOL!! AS IF, I have anything to feel sorry for myself about... Still, I hear you--better to sing your blues to yourself than to inflict it upon the ones you care for. Good thing you are tough and strong. I'm counting on you to come back all the way. :loveya:

[Lucinda]

14. Oddly enough...the blues are energizing to me...i "get" the healing in singing the blues

And i'm insanely positive by nature - so as a rule I don't bemoan my fate. I find a "lesson" in everything. Eventually. :P

[yellerpup]

15. LOL! We are very much alike.

Nothin' cheers me up more better than the blues. :hug:

[Lucinda]

17. LOL Yup. Blues is da bomb.

My fav genre, but I'm pretty much a music ho.

[hippywife]

8. Yellerpup put it in the best words I could think of so...

I second that emotion. (Got an earworm on that yet, babe?)

Lots of love and healing vibes your way, sweetheart.

[Lucinda]

12. You...are pure evil

I think its why I lub ya!
And yep...earworm city. :rofl:

[hippywife]

18. Crap!

Because you responded I now have it BACK!

:rofl:

[Lucinda]

20. She shoots! She scores!

:woohoo:

[hippywife]

21. Well, you know what?

You Light Up My Life.


:rofl:

ETA: Don't worry about revenge for that one. I inadvertently gave it to myself, too.

[Lucinda]

23. Oh no you di - int!

:spank:
:rofl:

[hippywife]

24. Okay. I deserved that. LOL! n/t

[Phentex]

16. It's good to hear from you!...

GD, wow. I've dabbled in here and there. It's a quick way to get all kinds of accusations thrown at you just for questioning something. But I learn a lot in there, too.

I have to admit I've been slinging meals together lately, with a little grilling thrown in by the spouse. We've been busy with meetings and such and I feel like I'm not home long enough to do anything real.

Today I have been home and am making the Pioneer Woman's chicken and dumplings which I've only made once before. Certain people have been asking for it again and unfortunately for me, it was hot today. Now I really AM sweating over a hot stove!

Take care of yourself and check in when you can. :hi:

[Lucinda]

25. I have FINALLY learned the secret to surfing GD

Put all the habitually nasty people on ignore. Works like a charm :) I just can't handle all the mean spirited nasty posters, it actually effects my health.

Pioneer Woman is a great site. Hope you had a wonderful dinner! I love chicken and dumplings. I use my grandmothers recipe (for the most part anyway)

:hi:

[trud]

19. thanks

for letting us know how things are going. It sounds like you are past the half way point? Do you have to stay on the med after that, or is that when your body is supposed to adjust?

Not that I want to get you arrested or something, but isn't marijuana supposed to help with the side effects of chemo meds?

[Lucinda]

26. I'm not sure how long I'll be doing this

I've heard of people who continue with the chemo meds and relapse if they stop. So far I haven't seen enough improvement for me to want to put my body through that for an extended period of time.

As for pot, I have never had any relief from it - I tried when I had hard core chemo for my cancer treatment a few years back. It was a great suggestion though!

I've been taking otc flu medicine when the symptoms are bad, and trying to make sure I eat enough.

[Tsiyu]

22. Hope this finds you feeling better in the belly, Lucinda

Hope you don't have to avoid this place for much longer.

[Lucinda]

27. Thank you Tsiyu!

It's a great group of people. I miss it when I'm not here. :)