So...Do I worry now or later?

Hello

Finally my doctor has returned from his two week vacation and I finally get the results from the other blood test.

He stated that my blood test does show some slight elevation of my light chains...
I know you are like me...WHAT?
What the heck are light chains and why are they in my blood?

You know when you are sitting in the doctor's office and they are talking to you about all of these things and yes you are hearing them speak but you are really not listening...yes we are all guilty about it....and then they begin to speak in all of these big words and then before you know it you are nodding your head to Charlie Brown's teacher ...remember...wha wha wha...

So in a nut shell...Dr. Perselin (My RA) doctor is going to consult again with Dr. Likinstein (Hemotologist) again...because if you all remember they found something in my marrow over the summer then said no don't worry about it but now here we are again with the "LIGHT CHAINS" blood work....ugh....and they will call me after they "confer" to see what the next step is going to be if any....

So before you all kill me the research that I have found states this:

Multiple Myeloma and Monoclonal
Protein
Myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cells in the bone marrow. Myeloma is synonymous
with multiple myeloma and plasma cell. neoplasm. Plasma cells produce antibodies,
also known as immunoglobulins, which are proteins that help fight infection. Each type
of plasma cell produces only one type of immunoglobulin. There are many different
types of plasma cells in the body, resulting in the production of a variety of different
immunoglobulins. In multiple myeloma, one particular type of plasma cell is duplicated a
very large number of times, causing excess production of one type of immunoglobulin,
which is referred to as a monoclonal protein, or M-protein. M-protein is also called
myeloma protein, para-protein, or the protein spike. M-protein is important for diagnosis
and for monitoring treatment in multiple myeloma. The free light chains are derived
from the monoclonal protein (See Figure 1).

What are Free Light Chains?
Immunoglobulins or monoclonal proteins are composed of two types of smaller molecules,
one called a heavy chain and the other called a light chain (see Figure 1). There are five types of heavy chains, referred to by letter, with the abbreviation for immunoglobulin (Ig) before the letter: IgG, IgA, IgM, IgD, and IgE. There are two types of light chains, referred to as kappa (κ) and lambda (λ). Each plasma cell produces only one type of heavy chain and only one type of light chain. The heavy and light chains are produced separately within the plasma cell and are then assembled to form a whole immunoglobulin. When the light chains are attached to the
heavy chains, the light chains are referred to as bound light chains. However, when the
light chains are not attached to the heavy chains, they are called free light chains. For
unknown reasons, the plasma cells typically produce more light chains than are required
to create the whole immunoglobulin or monoclonal protein. The excess light chains enter
the blood stream as free light chains (i.e. unattached to the heavy chains). Thus both in the normal situation and in patients with myeloma and monoclonal gammopathies (e.g. MGUS, or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance), excess light chains enter the blood stream as free light chains. The normal levels of free light chains in serum have recently been reported, along with the normal ratio of kappa free light chains to lambda free light chains. Normal levels of kappa free light chains are between 3.3 and 19.4 mg/L, while normal levels of
lambda free light chains are between 5.71 and 26.3 mg/L. The kappa/lambda ratio, which is normally between 0.26 and 1.65, is as important for diagnosis and monitoring of myeloma as are the levels of kappa and lambda light chains. As one might suspect in patients with active myeloma, the free light chain levels are higher than normal. In patients with myeloma in which only light chains are produced (Bence Jones myeloma), the type of light chain corresponding to the type of myeloma, either kappa or lambda, is present in increased amounts. But excess light chains in the serum can also occur to a greater or lesser extent with all types of myeloma, not just light chain or Bence Jones myeloma.

How is Monoclonal Protein
Normally Detected and Measured?
Monoclonal proteins can be detected and measured in both blood and urine. Serum is merely blood that has had the cells removed, leaving only the clear liquid. If multiple myeloma is suspected, your doctor will screen for abnormal monoclonal protein (M-protein) levels using a laboratory test known as protein electrophoresis. When protein electrophoresis is performed on serum samples, it is referred to as serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP), and when performed
on urine samples, it is called urine protein measure the amount of M-protein in a sample,
but cannot identify the type of M-protein in the sample. A second type of electrophoresis
test, referred to as immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE), is performed in order to identify the type of M-protein that is being produced by the myeloma cells. Typically, an SPEP is performed first, to determine if, and how much, of an M-protein is present. If the SPEP demonstrates evidence of an M-protein, an IFE will be done to determine what type of M-protein is there.
SPEP, UPEP, and IFE have both advantages and disadvantages. Among the disadvantages
is that they are relatively insensitive for the detection of free light chains, in that the free light chain level must typically be many times the normal level in order to be detected.
For instance, the normal level of one type of free light chain in blood is approximately 10
milligrams per liter (abbreviated as mg/L). However, the free light chain level in blood
would have to be at least 50 times the normal level to be detected by SPEP, and at least 15
times the normal level to be detected by IFE. An alternative test method, the serum free
light chain assay, is capable of detecting free light chains at their normal levels in blood serum. Thus, the serum free light chain assays can detect elevated levels of free light chains, even when these levels are undetectable by SPEP and IFE. This means that multiple myeloma could be detected earlier in the course of disease than is possible with either SPEP or IFE or in cases where small amounts of light chains are produced by the myeloma. The free light chain assays are best performed on serum rather than urine because of the filtering effects of the kidneys. Part of the normal function of the kidneys is to prevent losing proteins from the body into
urine. As a result, an elevated level of a protein, such as M-protein, will be present in blood serum before being present in urine. Hence, the serum free light chain assays may completely replace the 24-hour urine tests for M-protein: not only are the free light chain assays more sensitive in serum, but a 24-hour urine sample is difficult to collect and is more difficult to store than serum.

All of the above information was retrieved from:
http://myeloma.org/pdfs/UnderstandingFreeLight.pdf
on 11/18/2009

So, what does this all mean? I DON'T KNOW

It is a waiting game....Do I think I have cancer that has been started from the medication that they were giving me? No
Do I feel like I have cancer? NO
Do I feel like the next phone call that I am going to get is going to be a bad one all because they are trying to treat my Rheumatoid Arthritis....No

God is still in the business of keeping me calm
Just like I expect you to be because this is not bad...
I just like sharing the information that I hear and get so that If any one of you need to hear how to stay strong and positive ....you can use me as a guide.....I am not worried.....
I am okay....so until the next one....

Please continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for you....

I am not worried so don't you be either.....

Don't call me in a panic....because there is no reason to be.....

I feel good other than the normal day to day RA things.....

:-)

Happy Monday!

Hello everyone

How are you all doing? It is already the middle of November! Whoo-hoo!
I can't believe that next week is already Thanksgiving!

Well, with the cold weather, the hands are killing me not to mention my knees, and my feet.

The cold weather is a real nightmare for our bones (joints) and just our overall well-being.

I still have not been able to participate in my Zumba class now going on 5weeks because of the ankle sprain. Ugh!

Eventually, it will heal but goodness gracious....can it be any slower of a process?

I've started my Methotrexate shots...and now I have to fill the syringe myself...the medication is not pre-filled as it was in the Enbrel and with the Humira. So I have learned how to pull back the syringe to 60 mg and insert it into the little bottle of medication push the air into the bottle while pulling out medication with no air bubbles into the syringe.

So, do I like this process? I am sure you all know that answer....Heck NO!
I have a bruise on my right side of my stomach, two inches from my belly button for the past three weeks now! Even that takes forever to go away. As usual the shots need to be given on alternating sides and well I guess that I should just be grateful because I am still alive.

I really miss Zumba and can't wait to get back to it.
I miss my friends and the laughs that we have had.

It was my only sense of being free of Rheumatoid Arthritis if only for an hour. No matter how much I hurt afterwards, or how stiff I was the next morning...I loved going to Zumba.

Hopefully, my ankle will heal a little quicker and after some physical therapy I would be given the green light to do Zumba

Well until the next time...continue to pray for me while I continue to pray for you.

Technology has come a long way

It's amazing that someone can type anything into a search engine on the internet and find your information.
That could be a good thing or a bad thing...Today was a good thing.
A free lance writer from Atlanta found this blog while researching information on Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Pretty cool, huh? :-)

Anyway she wanted information about the Zumba classes that I've been taking with Mary here in Moorpark.

Go figure...

I explained that although there are days when I believe that Zumba can get the best of me for not using those muscles in a long time...how much I love Zumba and how it allows me a little bit of happiness if only for an hour a week to feel like a normal 44 year old again...You know the one, the one without the joint pains associated with RA or the one without the fatigue ...

How it allows me to hang out with my girls when they are home from college and it gives us something that breaks the barriers of age because we have a great time dancing and learning the new moves....it allows them to see their mom in a different light while allowing me to enjoy the energy that my girls bring....

I just wanted to thank Mary Jo DiLonardo for taking the time to interview me for the Arthritis Today Magazine from the Arthritis Foundation find information that may help others.

I shared with her that I was just trying to find information about RA from a real person's perspective when I began this blog. I was trying to follow some that were on the weight watchers website but no one ever really took the time to respond...so feeling somewhat alone, I began writing this blog whether anyone responded or not it allowed me to express my thoughts, feelings, fears, and successes all in one place...

Thanks to all who follow my blog for caring and sharing and calling to see how I am doing...
So until next time, I'll continue to pray for you as you pray for me....
God Bless..

PS... BE SURE TO LOOK FOR THE ARTICLE
Arthritis Today Magazine from the Arthritis Foundation coming out soon...

Still on Crutches!

Well when you think about it...which would you think is the one that you would struggle with more:

a) Having Rheumatoid Arthritis

b) Having a severe sprained ankle (the right) one which you use to drive

c) Having to use crutches for the past two and a half weeks

d) all of the above

e) a and b

f) b and c

Well I am choosing B & C this week! Gosh this really sucks!
Crutches really make you use muscles that you have not used in forever...
It makes you put all of your strength into your elbows and all of your weight and balance onto the other leg! Ugh! When you have RA, hello.....crutches make your RA flare up and your entire body is in overload! I wish I could scream but what good would it do.....

The swelling has come down on my foot near my toes but the area around the ankle...not so much. :-(
I have just begun to weight bare on my toes but not on the heel of my foot....too painful.....
Still working...which is kind of funny because using crutches to move around from school to school...well most of the classes that I need to visit are at the back of the school....and well I am getting my exercise....and since I usually rotate to the schools every other week...those that saw me the first week are seeing me again this week still using the crutches and they have to ask, "Are you still on those things?"
Ha ha ha....Hello....Duh.....and yes can't you see that I am coming in with them.....

Sometimes I wonder, who are we really servicing.....the kids or the adults....

Anyway....until the next time......Pray for me and I will pray for you.....

Tammy

Wow! Where does the time go?

It's been a while since my last post because I figured that I would give everyone a break from all of my RA issues.
Since my last post, I've continued to exercise weekly (Zumba), have had a birthday, gotten a Nintendo Wii (Yeah), gone back to work, and oh Yeah! Sprained my ankle like a dummy running using my new Wii!
Ugh! I don't know which is worse the RA joint pain, having to use the crutches, or the sprained ankle?
Hmm let me think....THE CRUTCHES!
Have you tried using them when you have a meeting at the back of the school? What the heck? It was like crawling to the back of the school as slow as I was going and I kept having to stop every few seconds because...well the crutches are awful to use....and I know come down the stairs like a baby on my butt (sliding) and crawl to go back up the stairs (like a baby) and I can't drive because it is my right foot and hmmm not use to NOT BEING IN CONTROL of my LIFE and this is bad! I hate not being able to do things when I want to do them! even going to the bathroom is a chore because we don't have those GREAT railings that they have in the bathrooms everywhere but in your house!
It makes my left leg have to bare the weight of my body which really send the joint pain through the roof....so....it has been a long week and I just figured that I would vent.....

I hope all of you are well and until the next time pray for me as I will continue to pray for you.

God Bless....

Here we go again!

Okay so the last time I went to the doctor's office which was last week, I was told again to discontinue my Humira shots because again something funny in my "marrow." Yeah no shots for right now....whoo-hoo.... but on the other hand "What the heck?"
I went to Zumba class last night with Tajah....Brittany flaked on us....and although it was a lot of bouncing ....I got a great workout! Go Tajah!!! My joints are still achy and it's a part of life....well at least for me.....I still Praise God each and every day no matter what because He is good to me! I praise Him every day....every night and in between! Amen! I found a new saying the other day which should be our motto:
I always knew that God would not give me more than I can handle...
But I wish He didn't trust me so much......(Great isn't it?)

So for those going thru....there you go...God is trusting you and He is allowing you to do the things that He needs you to do! It is through our testimony that we can reach so many others.
If for no reason at all, God has given me RA to tell of His goodness and to be able to praise Him more in spite of my illness....then so be it....That is why we have access to the internet where I can write a Blog update to tell everyone....I'm still here!

Well until the next one....continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for you...

God Bless.....

Happy Tuesday

Good Morning everyone!
Wow! Can you believe that Labor Day has just past and kids are back in school!
Brittany is back in her dorm and has a great 4 room little place. She has 3 roommates and it is a great size for the girls. I can't believe that she turned 19 this weekend! Holy Moly! Where does the time go? Tajah is getting ready to go back in about a week and she's excited about going back to her "private" life where the parents keep their noses out.....hee hee hee....Love those girls! They are so funny with their "independence." But I will miss them both while they are gone until school breaks during the holidays.
Isaiah and Jasmin have had a great 1st week of school and I hope it continues.
Work has begun for me and yes there are days where I work about 10-12 hours but such life. School has begun for me as well and yes homework has kicked in too....Ugh....
Tonight is Zumba class and I excited to go work out...
My body is feeling kind of blah lately...still feeling queezy from the meds....and my legs/knees are killing me.....my wrists and elbows are hurting me as well....but God is good......because I am still alive and still mobile....

I wish you all a blessed week and as always, continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for you....
God Bless..

It's September!

Hello everyone
If you have noticed my entries have been a little further apart so that should inform you that I am back at work full force and back in school. Started the 2nd year of the Doctorate's program! Yippee....It's official!
One of my co-workers has been diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis! I feel so sorry for her because she is in the beginning stages and is in the depression state...and it's bad.. Her and I cried together and discussed the different types of medications that are out there. She is on Leflunimide which is the one I began two years ago that put me into liver failure!...She was amazed to see how well I am walking around and cried when I discussed all of the medications that I had been on over the past two years and my next option of having transfusions with different medications every 4 to 6 weeks that would take 4 hours each time.
I explained to her that I have a high tolerance of pain and that is why I can do what I do throughout the day. I explained my stiffness in the mornings and my exhaustion in the evening.
We discussed mood swings, weight gain and the depression....
I think that these past few days sharing my experiences with her have helped me remember that its okay to be sick but always find an outlet!
So until next time continue to pray for me as I pray for you and keep my coworker in your prayers.
My pain has not subsided nor have my levels dropped. I am not in remission but that is okay.
What is important is life itself and what we do with out life!
God Bless.

Ouch!

Today I feel really tired after working out at Zumba class last night!
I woke up this morning feeling like a Mack truck ran over me!
My entire body hurts! Seriously! No Lie!
Ouch! It was so hard getting up this morning I didn't know if I was going
to need a forklift to help pick me up so I could go to work!
My skin even hurts!
I love the Zumba class!
It works all of your body.....
My RA is still all out of whack! and still taking medications and continuously make me feel like throwing up ...ugh!
But life goes on and I am still alive
So until next time I will pray for you and continuously pray for me!
My dad is in the hospital so keep him in your prayers....

Just to Say Hello

Sorry everyone that I haven't blogged in a few days but I have been really busy since some of my students have returned to school this week....Although LAUSD truly doesn't begin until 9/9/09 Burbank went back on 8/17 and some students who are still on the Track system began on 8/18...I've been also working on presentations that I will be giving to our staff during our 3 days of training and they are all day in 2.5 hour increments....
Tuesday 9/1
Using a Team Approach to Develop Effective Solutions: Participants will be presented with a review of the main principles necessary to be an effective member of a team and participants will then be divided into small groups and given actual situations facing our agency. Each small group will be required to reach a consensus provide solutions to these situations.

Wednesday 9/2
Refresher Pro-Act Training
UPDATED: The trusted & respected PART program
Pro-ACT® is a risk management, safety enhancement tool for the organization seeking to establish a zero-restraint environment. Based on principles drawn from evidence-based practice and tested in practice for almost thirty years, Pro-ACT® emphasizes critical thinking and behavioral supports based on assessment. Pro-ACT® offers a basic course

Thursday 9/3
Guidelines and Policies for Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Sexual Harassment in the Workplace: This session will be divided into two 75 minute sessions. During one 45 minute session, Participants will be presented with an overview of their responsibilities as mandated child abuse reporters. During the other 75 minute session participants will be presented with an overview of sexual harassment in the workplace as well as IECP’s sexual harassment policies and procedures for reporting sexual harassment that has taken place in the workplace.

So as you can see my days have been full. I have not heard any "bad" news from my blood results as of yet so I am believing that all is well.. I was able to begin my medication again today after 3 weeks of not taking any. Today was the first day of taking the methotrexate and I truly feel as if my stomach was being shaken in every direction and I'm just waiting for the eruption to take place called, the "Puke" geiser!

That is one of the worst medications in history....I don't see how cancer patients do it because it's killing me.....ugh....yes its a medication that they treat cancer patients with but OMG! I hate it!
Monday I get to begin taking my Humira again! Yippee....more shots in my stomach! Aren't I the lucky one...

Well until next time, continue to pray for me and I will pray for you....God Bless

Quick Update

hello everyone
Spoke to the doctor yesterday and he only stated that he needed to speak to the specialist because all the results were all different from what was taken the week before. He also stated that my RA has never been like any other case he has seen so whatever that means...is all I know... I have spent a good weekend planning for this upcoming family reunion and trying to keep busy since I go back to work next week...the time spent not working has been great but it's time to go back to work so that I could get paid....until the next time, Continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for you....God Bless.

The Waiting Game

Haven't had any information yet on my results....Called doctor this morning and I'm still waiting...

Recent updates are that my joints are stiffer (all of them).
My legs are doing this weird twitching thing late at night (pretty creepy) when you don't have control of a body part....
Wasn't allowed to take humira this week so I believe that the joint pain and stiffness are related to not being able to take certain meds....

Until next time, continue to pray for me as I continue to pray for you....will update as soon as I receive results from Dr. Persulin.

Ha Ha Ha - How many?

Okay so I went today to the VA Hospital in Sepulveda to have blood work done and not only did they show me a bunch of tubes for the veteran vampires to have but they gave me 2 that's right 2 not 1 cups to pee in....Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.....That's the funniest thing that I have ever seen never mind I had to do.....So has anyone else had this experience? You know the peeing in two cups experience.....Ha ha ha ha ha.....How funny is that? At the time I was checking in and being given the two cups I was on the phone with Rico who laughed as hard as I did.....Well I just thought that I would share my day's experience with you ....God Bless and as usual....Continue to pray for me as I continue to pray for you......

Well, Well, Well

Dr calls me yesterday to discuss the "protein" in my urine....not good.....to begin with so orders some more blood test...Going in on Monday....then calls me back today after consulting with the "blood" doctor to discuss something that is also abnormal in my blood results....and then asks me again if I am coming in on Monday to have the Blood work done because they believe that something is growing too fast in my marrow....HELLO...Freaking me out here! Then asks have I been having issues with my legs swelling? Duh! yes....ARGH!!!!!!!!!! Still Freaking out here then he rattles off some medical terms that I don't understand and yeah so basically going back in on Monday for more lab work, urine work and by the way ...stop taking the HUMIRA....until further notice....hmmmm....anyway....Continue to pray for me while I continue to pray for you and I will try to stop freaking out!...Have a great Friday...

Year One is Complete!

I am so excited! Tonight was our official end of Year One in the Doctorate's Program! I was so excited that Ihad to post that information on my Facebook account because it has taken a lot of work to get to where we are now! Wow! Yeah! Year Two begins on September 2nd, 2009.
Yesterday's Zumba class was amazing! We worked really hard! I think I even broke a sweat! Go figure me breaking a sweat! Brittany worked her butt off and was jumping all around moving her hips....Isaiah worked his hiney off too and when it was some funky dance move he'd look around and give you a funny look like what the heck did I get myself into.....it was pretty funny to see him out of his comfort zone....Hee hee hee.....
Oh Yeah by the way......Drum Roll..............I've lost 5 pounds! Yippee......Finally, Five pounds.....Yeah! God is Good! I am so excited.....Even if it doesn't last longer than a week...the scales were on my side for once.....Yeah.....Left leg is still swollen...right leg is too...but God is good and I will continue on until God says differently! So, until our next one....I'll continue to pray for you while you continue to pray for me.....

God Bless you all.....

It's Only Monday!

So today, was a long boring day! Finished my homework last night, did my timesheet for work, completed that wedding cake and woke up today with only having to drop Jazz @ gymnastics and getting a manicure and a pedicure and go figure....Nothing else! Seriously, nothing to do today! My left foot is still very swollen and my right foot is not as bad but yes still swollen. My hands are a little tender and swollen.
Richie sent us another letter and he is doing great! We all mailed him letters yesterday and I hope that you all have done the same! He should be getting a batch of letters this week which I am sure will be very cool having to explain that he has 5 siblings, his parents, wife and son and then a whole slew of nieces and nephews writing to him all at once! That's right Amanda, your kids should be writing him too so that he gets to know them and gets about 20 letters a week!...hee hee hee....that should keep him busy as if he doesn't have enough to do already.
When Kyle was here this weekend, he drew his daddy a picture as any two year old can and we mailed that to his daddy too...he should like that one! Anyway....I am going to look up some information about acupuncture and see if that can help with the Rheumatoid Arthritis...some people say that it does as they also claim herbal junk and natural medicines....blah......
Okay, have a great night! Thanks for all the prayers.....

Until next time, I'll continue to pray for you as you continue to pray for me!...

Happy August!

Wow! Can you believe that we are already in the month of August!
Where has the time past? I can't believe that summer is almost over and the girls will be going back to college soon! Jazz will be a junior in High School and Isaiah an eighth grader! OMG! I'll be starting my 2nd year of the doctorate's program. Holy Moly!
We spent the weekend with Kyle and he again didn't want to go home. :-( Poor guy! He had a lot of fun with the kids at church. He loves playing games and watching movies! He's so cute! He is a funny little guy!
Okay, my feet are still swollen and I don't know why? Any suggestions? The last time my feet were this bad was when I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis......
Hmmm...Thought to ponder I suppose!

Okay, Have a Great week! As always, continue to pray for me and I will continue to pray for you!

God Bless.

I'm Amaze myself @ times!

Okay so as stated earlier this week I have truly been really really really busy! But yesterday, I got to give the bride the wedding cake that I had been working on all week!. Just yesterday, I made 100 different roses after making 100 regular roses throughout the week! I can't believe that the cake really came out that pretty and beautiful and that I made it! Wow! God has allowed me to use my hands to create something for someone! I thank God for providing me with the strength to provide someone with a really cool cake! My hands are feeling fine today and my feet although look like they have tripled in size are okay as well. Here are some pics of the cake! Congratulations to Natalie and Scott! May your lives be as Blessed as mine has!

Okay, until the next time, Continue to pray for me and I will pray for you!

Busy Busy Busy

Today has been an extremely busy day! It began with having to go to the Veteran's Hospital in Sepulveda to have my blood drawn which was surprisingly quick! The cool part was that they were filming one of my favorite shows at the time! Gray's Anatomy! Whoo-Hoo! Anyway, then it was onto San Fernando to the cake decorating store to buy supplies, then to Michael's (more cake supplies), then to Smart-n-Final (you guessed it...more cake decorating supplies), treated Isaiah and Jazzy to In-n-Out burgers and then home to begin practicing on the 1st cake! Pretty good Pound Cake! Yum! Make more hand-made roses for the cake! Then it was time to go to Zumba class. And now I can honestly say that my body hurts! My knees hurt, my feet hurt, my hips hurt, my elbows hurt and then some! Ugh! Rheumatoid Arthritis Sucks! I wish I could just say its the aches and pains of just exercising but ugh....Not! Anyway, still pressing through and still had to come home and write some more on my paper!

So, continue to pray for me while I continue to pray for you!

God Bless

Way too much homework!

Today, I have completely spent the day working on my computer! That's right! Homework! I am completing my Level II, Clear Credential for my Administrative Credential concurrently while completing my Literature review class this summer! Yes I know....Crazy....while also working this summer and making a wedding cake that is due this Friday! I have typed and typed and typed and when I thought that I could not type any longer....I typed some more! And if that wasn't enough I had to upload 3 out of the six standards that I am working on for the credential as well as all the evidence that I have met the standard! Good thing is that I have completed 1-5 and only have one more due before the deadline! Yeah! But I am also working on my paper that needs to have a minimum of 60 references! That's right! lots of reading and writing and organizing and putting together and more typing and more typing....Oh by the way more typing and more typing! and more reading and more reading. My hands are completely shot at the moment! My eyeballs are killing me and I still have to take that STUPID Shot! Ugh!
And no I have not weighed myself because we all know that that is a hopeless cause!

Okay...Continue to pray for me while I continue to pray for you! God Bless....

Camping Trip and the Crazy Guy

Alrighty...the first night of camping we had to deal with the sprinklers that they forgot to turn off and all of the kids believed that they were in a crazy rain storm! Then the next night, I heard the trash cans moving around and Porsche and Shelby barked a little so I decided to wake up, go to the bathroom @ 0500 and low and behold....the Crazy Guy was looking through the dumpster! Yes, that's right....deep in the dumpster! Looking for recycling....Hello! there were 15 tents....cars....all kinds of things to show people were here! and looney man....@ 5 in the morning was looking for recycling stuff! So, I asked him what he was doing and he looked at me as if he saw a ghost....and gave an explanation of he was getting "recycling" and I had to let him know that he was not welcomed there and that he was creepy and he needed to leave! Go figure...all of those men at the camp....(Elders of the Church) and not one of them woke up to assist or heard the crazy guy walking around the camp! GIRL Power....That guy was so scared that he really left I guess he thought that I was going to call the cops or something!...
Camping is so much fun!
I truly enjoyed working with the elementary kids again...You forget how much fun they are and how funny their stories can be.
We did lots of arts and crafts and played a lot of games.
Okay..when you go camping...it is so easy to forget how cold it does get at night! I'd wake up with my hands hurting and my hips really sore. My feet and knees are another issue...
To make things even worse...tomorrow is Monday and I have to take that stupid shot in my stomach again....Gosh those shots really burn and I can't stand taking them....
Anyway....until next time, I will pray for you and please pray for me!

Church was Great today! God is truly good and what a great pastor we have!
Trivia Question: Who were the three John's in the bible and what were their roles?
Who was present @ the cross when Jesus was crucified? What did Jesus say to them?

Camping!

What a great testimony to see the youth of our church preaching the word of God, learning about the word and accepting our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Last night, well we all went to our tents and it was cold! I was freezing! As was Porsche and Shelby. Brrr! Then the sprinklers cam on and everyone thought that the flood gates had opened! Ha ha ha ha! That God for the covers on the tents that repel the water and are really and truly water proof! Ha ha ha. The water sprinklers hit every tent @ about 4:00 am. Still laughing! But truly, my hands are really hurting today due to the chilliness in my bones from last night and the sun is still not out now! My hips are hurting which makes it difficult to get up without some pain! The kids are all having a good time and it is worth it all! Until the next time, pray for me as I pray for you! God Bless.

Hollywood Bowl

Last night I surprised Rico with tickets to see FourPlay and Boney James @ the Hollywood Bowl. What a great place to see a concert! We had never been there before and to our amazement it's really a great place. It's outdoors underneath the stars and it was really a cool place! I'm glad that he liked it. It's good to be able to surprise someone else on occasion and to be able to pull it off was another thing! :-) Since walking at times can be a difficult task for me especially if it is uphill....it was great to know that they had golf carts available to take us to the front gate to pick-up our tickets from Will Call. They were very kind and very courteous..... There were escalators there as well to take you from the parking structures to the Bowl...in case you didn't know it's inside a mountaneous area in North Hollywood.....parking is up the HILL... beautiful scenery as the sun was setting and amazingly enough there was a cross that lit up at night towards the right! hmmm...God is good.

Okay we are off to our youth camping trip for the next 3 days at Point Mugu....Will keep you posted on how things go and I hope it doesn't get too cold at night so that my joints don't stiffen up too much.....

Until next time, I will pray for you, while you pray for me..

God Bless.

PS. Isaiah is preaching on Prayer! Go Isaiah.....

Zumba on You Tube

Here are some Zumba sites on you tube to watch.... They are really cool....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vf0q6qtThF4 This is a Zumba class is Tampa Florida (Wow)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cU8Q86T7Lpg This is another little girl that I'm glad is not my daughter with the moves that she has! Rico would die if his girls could move like this (hee hee hee) She has the ritmo latino! Go Julia!

Zumba Class - Wow!

Last night's class was great! Both Brittany and Tajah were there exercising with their mom! For some reason I started laughing hysterically and Tajah looked at me and asked why I was laughing...funny thing was I didn't know myself so I kept laughing until the giggles were all gone. (it took a while) Anyway, it was a great work out and I won't weigh myself for a few days to keep that frustration level down. But I found this great clip on you tube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7fN-WtNuqw about a little girl named Victoria! If she can do it, so can I. I am truly not just exercising for the weight loss but I need to keep my joints mobile so that they don't forget how to move. I believe that if I take off some of the weight that the medication has put on me my body might be able to move a little easier. It's common sense that the more you weigh the harder your body has to work to get you from point A to point B. The harder your heart has to pump, the harder your lungs have to work....So, I challenge each and every one of you to try to lose at least 5 pounds in 30 days....That does not seem like much..but seeing as to I have had issues trying to lose one (1) pound it's going to be a lot of work for me. Go out and exercise. Go for a walk! Join a Zumba class! Turn the music on when you are cleaning the house (full blast) and dance while you clean! We can all keep each other uplifted with our thoughts and by sharing our stories. Today, my RA is a little of a distraction, but I am not going to give up. I will work through the pain and the stiffness and I will continue on this journey with all of you as friends and prayer warriors!
Until next time, pray for me and I will continue to pray for you!

Let me know if you are interested in the challenge of losing 5 pounds in 30 days by commenting to this post. This way we can see who all is working on it.

Priscilla is already walking almost 3 miles with her friend (Great Job)
*** IDEAS***
Ray and Amanda can take the kids for a walk in the neighborhood
Cyna can walk with the dog
Good Luck!

I'm not Mental

My sister-in-law, Priscilla works as a pharmacy technician, where she was able to ask her pharmacist about the medications that I am taking...low and behold....the meds can go either way! You can either lose weight (notice I said YOU!) or gain weight (referring to me). UGH! Priscilla, please tell your friend that I thank them very much for the information and that I have literally waited 18 months for someone to tell me that! I thought that it was just me and that I was losing my mind...now the real question that lingers is what can I do to lose the weight? I know that I do not sweat so when I exercise I actually gain a few pounds until my body cools off...I drink lots of water, green tea (diet of courst) and crystal lite. I try not to drink diet soda because I know that it still causes some weight gain...I'm watching my calories, I'm exercising, but I need to know whatelse can be done without having to take more medication? I feel like a weight has been lifted off of my shoulders knowing that I'm really not mental! okay a little but you know what I mean..Whoo-hoo....

Thanks again Priscilla.....I know God will truly bless you with love and happiness....just wait on Him!

Remember that: I'll continue to pray for you and please continue to pray for me...

Still Frustrated!

I religiously take my medications as directed! I am trying to exercise more than ever and this morning I woke up and got up on the scale and Nothing! Not one pound lost. Seriously, does anyone have information about Humira? Folic Acid? Methotrexate? Does anyone know if these medications retain more water than usual? Do they maintain your weight so that you wake up more depressed than the day before? Hello? Is this crazy or what? I'm not really depressed, just a figure of speech! But this is bad! This is really bad! I used to do weight watchers and lose the weight by counting my points! Tried that and NOTHING! Is it the disease? Does having a high rheumatoid factor make you gain weight and not be able to lose it? Okay, friends and family....it is your turn to figure out how I can lose weight! I would love to lose a total of 35 pounds...but I would take ten to start...I will take any suggestions that are out there.....Tonight is the Zumba class....and then camping this week....truly any suggestions are welcomed!.
As usual, pray for me and I will pray for you! God Bless

Church Picnic

What a Great, Great day! It was an amazing day in Southern California! The sun was out, there was not a cloud in the sky and the wind was not blowing more than 2 m.p.h. The food was great as usual thanks to my hubby, Elder Rico..The kids enjoyed the jolly jump and people were playing basketball, board games, dominoe's and just enjoying each other's company. Pain level today wasn't so bad...Achy in the mornings as usual but not so much throughout the day. Props to the young people who won the basketball game against the "older" people. There was so much food and so much dessert that I truly believe everyone was happy and full! The kids had enough people to watch over them and they were taken to the apparatus to play by their parents or teenaged "helper friends." I don't recall a sad face in the crowd. Of course we missed Ray and Richie and their families... But Richie called and said although it was a little rough he is hanging in there and he is okay! Yeah! We really miss him very much and can't wait to see him again! I am going to try and do a 2 mile walk later with my Christian video so hopefully that will keep my exercise level to where it needs to be. Keep us in prayer as we keep you....God Bless...

No Pain, No Gain!

So exercised like a crazy person this week! Ate lots of salad with chicken and didn't lost a pound! Are you kidding me? Seriously! Worked my buns off, rode the bike, ate like a bird and not one pound! I made sure that I stayed within 1500 calories, didn't cheat AND NOT 1 POUND! Frustration is not even a word I'm thinking about! This medication that I am on is not my friend! I'm sick of taking the meds! I sick of people saying you look fine! You look good! Whatever! I'm 35 pounds over than what I like to be! The doctors don't really listen when you tell them that you upset about the weight gain! They don't friggin care! Well, hello! I care! I want the weight to come off! Any ideas! The aches are stil there! The joints still hurt and oh to top it off the WEIGHT is still there! UGH! Can Somebody, anybodyfigure out something that will make the rheumatoid pains disappear and the weight come off! Okay now that I've vented will update more later!

Bike Riding as an Exercise

Alrighty....so I haven't been on a bicycle since last summer which didn't really last long but I decided to get up today in the hottest part of the day and ride my bike 7 miles through town!
What the HECK was I thinking? Seriously....I don't sweat! I overheat! The water that I brought with me made me want to throw up because I was so over heated! OMG! I must be nuts! Seriously!
The good thing is that I rode my bike for 7 miles through town and I didn't die! Felt like I was going to pass out from heat stroke but I rode my bike! yeah! Thanks Isaiah for riding with your crazy mom! Luv ya dude!

Starting with a new attitude

Okay...so I'm not a 100 years old! I still have life in me....I am not going to let this disease get to me....I am truly going to fight it tooth and nail! Last night I began a Zumba class....God did that kill my knees but you know what? I did the entire class...that's right! 60 minutes of Zumba!

Last weekend I walked @ Six Flags with my kids....Yeah! I even got on a roller coaster!..Imagine that! I didn't let the few little aches stop me from living life!..

Yeah! I actually did some exercise this week....

And I am trying to eat healthier! Go figure....trying to lose weight and exercise....who would have thunk it?