WHOA! LET'S BACK UP A BIT!

My goodness, time flies when you're having fun!  Here it is March!  I need to go back and fill you in on the months before Christmas, which were anything but fun from the point of view of my health ....



In October, after going back to Canada for Caden's wedding to Matt Seburn, I started to develop pain in my legs, making sitting down and standing up gradually more painful.  I thought it was just the result of lifting a very heavy suitcase up two flights of stairs between subway levels.  However, it wasn't getting any better and I was beginning to feel pain in my arms as well.  What is this??  Tendinitis in both arms?


I had already booked my trip to Armenia at the beginning of November. I didn't want to miss that, so I went, and carried a cushion with me.  I became known among the group as "Nancy with the blue bag" and on the bus, in the restaurants and museums, I sat on my cushion as long as I could, then got up and walked around.  In my bedroom, I discovered I was having more and more pain putting on my clothes.




Coming home to Brussels, I went to see an orthopedist who ordered scans, x-rays and a blood test.  I stupidly hesitated in going to a clinic because I didn't know how much all this was going to cost, and my Quebec Health Insurance was not going to cover any medical expenses here in Belgium (another whole story in itself!).



Besides, I had already booked 4 days in Vienna to see the Christmas markets, and I didn't want to cancel that!  So I went off to Vienna by plane, in increasing pain.  Every movement was now painful, whether rolling over in bed, taking off my eiderdown, pulling myself upright, walking, sitting, reaching, carrying, dressing myself, and so on.  I made myself enjoy Vienna - it is a beautiful city as you saw in the photo album I sent out - and just struggled with the pain and moved about slowly.  I even was brave enough to stand up at the back of a very small hall during a chamber ensemble concert!




I finally convinced myself that my health was worth more than a hole in my budget, so I went and got the tests when I arrived home, and made another appointment with the doctor when I knew he would have the results.  He told me my body "mechanics" were fine but that the blood test showed I had inflammation in my blood, so I needed to see a rheumatologist.  Which I did.




What a blessing to me this rheumatologist!  She examined and questioned me for two hours.  I told her I had done some surfing on the internet and wondered if I might have polymyalgy rheumatica.  She said we'd know after I started taking cortisone.  She could see how debilitated I was with the pain and started me off on a high dose (32 mg daily for you medical people) for a week.  She gave me her personal phone number and I was to call her after 5 days......


What a difference the cortisone made!!  I could almost feel the pain diminish in my body.  When I called the doctor and told her, she chuckled and said: "Madame, congratulations! You have diagnosed yourself correctly.  You have polymyalgy rheumatica."  I thought of my doctor father who took great pleasure in getting his diagnoses spot on.  I'm sure he would have been proud of me!


And so, since just before Christmas, I have been taking cortisone, in diminishing amounts, and feeling the pain diminish too.  The only remaining pain is in my upper legs, and it's bearable.  I'm down to 8 mg daily and still under doctor's care.   Dr. Montet is monitoring me weekly and makes me feel secure in her able hands.  I am very grateful for her. 


Polymyalgy rheumatica is an inflammation of the blood.  It flares up for seemingly no apparent reason and is so far not categorised as an auto-immune system problem.  At the moment, I don't know if it will go away or if this is something I'll have for the rest of my life. 


Lying in my bed, unable to move, I was afraid.  I had some good chats with my Abba. Not so much Why? but rather What do I do now?  How do I plan my future?  "Abba, if this is going to be part of my life from now on, teach me how to accept it and live with it."  I have lost so much that I didn't think I would lose my health too, but I now know I can.  I need to be wise and plan wisely for the future.


I also have more compassion for people who live in constant pain, and for elderly people who must move slowly because of pain.


But enough about my pain.  I just wanted to give you an honest backdrop for all the fun news I give you.  Belgian medical care is super.


Sorry there are no pictures this time.  I didn't really think you'd like to see a bottle of cortisone or me sitting on a cushion!