Lots of people have been asking about the ever changing medical condition that I have been diagnosed with, and have lived with in silence since 2004. - It is called HUMAN Parvovirus B19. Here are a few facts: - I am NOT contagious. -There is NO cure as it is a virus. - I dont have a dog disease, as this only affects humans, seriously! - Most of you and your children have had this, its commonly called fifths disease or slapped cheek syndrome in children. - Most of you will never see me when I have a flare. I sit in my chair, quietly, in excruciating pain. My eyesight is extremely blurry, my hands cannot grasp a water bottle, my body itches, my head throbs, my joints swell to the point that I can barely stand or walk. These are just SOME of the symptoms. - I sometimes beg for a steroid shot to ease my joint & lymph node swelling. - My first contact with it was in 1994 when Dillon caught it at school, obviously I was exposed, but never built an immunity to it. - I was exposed again in 2004, by the time my rash appeared I was no longer contagious. I effectively turned into a 90yr old woman overnight. - Parvovirus B19 damaged and permanently clanged my autoimmune system. This means my body attacks healthy tissue while allowing bad things reside where it shouldnt. - I have several other autoimmune conditions & severe allergies, all of which have developed since the parvovirus in 2004. None of these are contagious either. - I have the most brilliant Doctor treating me. His name is Guha Krishnaswamy, he is at Wake Forest Hospital in Winston-Salem, NC. I am sure he just loves getting text messages from Mom and I...lol - My family and I make frequent trips to Wake Forest for consultations, testing and treatment. I am BLESSED to have the A TEAM as my Mom calls us. - I am PRAYING the insurance company will help me pay for an aggressive treatment consisting of weekly infusions of human antibodies. Yes, my copay, medical supplies & time away from the jobs I love will be costly. Please feel free to pray with me:) -I am thankful to have found a group of women who are just like me. We can talk openly and candidly about our experiences. I have never met them, but I know they understand my pain. - I will survive, and I will make the best of my life. - I am not complaining, as I know there are so many that have been dealt worse fates than I. - I love each and every one of you, my friends, family & coworkers for supporting me through this journey ♥ xoxo - Again, I am sorry I am not able to photograph so many as I LOVE creating memories for so many of you! - PS, dont hesitate to ask me questions, the more we ask, the more we learn!
Posted on: Mon, 08 Sep 2014 10:24:18 +0000
Trending Topics
© 2015