Well, I just thought I would give an update on things. I had my second infusion this past week, and it left me unusually ill. After the doctor got my labs back, she called to say that my hemoglobin and iron were very low. She sent the lab results to my base doctor, and they said it was low enough that I may need to get iron through an iv, instead of orally. My base doctor prescribed me some iron pills and then sent my labs to a hematologist. The hematologist would review them and determine whether or not I was critical enough to be seen. Well, they called me within an hour of receiving my paperwork. I have an appointment with the hematologist on Friday morning. Your iron/oxygen saturation percentage (whatever that is) is usually around 30%-40%. Mine is 2%, so that's not good. The bad part about this all is when you are severely anemic, your RA gets much worse. It's kind of like a circle that's hard to break out of. It will all work out I am sure. It is just frustrating being in pain and tired all of the time. Jimmy is so wonderful, and has really stepped up. I know this is exhausting for him, because he works his job, and then comes home and has to do almost everything around here. I am going to go to the farm next week, where I can have some help for a while and get my strength back. I think people take for granted having their families close by. We sure could have benefited having ours around this week!

 

Today with RA

So, today is one of those days where my RA is kind of in the forefront of my mind. I had an infusion treatment last Thursday afternoon. When I have an infusion, I go to the doctor's office and sit in a recliner in a room with an iv and get a big dose of meds. It lasts 6 hours, and then I go back 2 weeks later and the second dose, which lasts 3 hours. 3 days after my infusion I am feeling pretty darn rough. You know, when I got my RA diagnosis, I had no idea how it would affect my life. I have come to accept the fact that it isn't going away. I can however lead a very productive and happy life. The pain management at times is hard, and the medicines that I take are super yucky, but all of this given some time will work to regulate my symptoms. I just have to be patient. Today is hard, because I am wiped out from the infusion, Jimmy is at work, and my sweet little boy is a ball of energy! I'll manage because I have to, and when Shane is happy, I am happy. He is a toddler, so he doesn't know that his mama is not feeling great and I like it that way. Everything is perfect in his world and so it should be. Maybe I will sit outside with him and let him play in the backyard when he wakes from his nap. He will enjoy that.

Introduction to the Deaton family

Hola family and friends! I hope via this new blog to give you a chance to peek into the daily life of our little family! Shane is 16 months old now, and about as active a toddler as can be! He is so happy and such a joy to be around! We love Wichita Falls, and are hoping to remain here for quite some time. Jimmy is doing wonderfull things with his career as an air traffic controller in the USAF. I am loving my time home with Shane, and am planning on staying home for at least one more year before I continue on with my career as an elementary music teacher.