Diagnosis.

After four long months of battling a severe sinus infection that just would not go away, and having an array of puzzling symptoms show up in August that was very much like Lupus or Rheumatoid arthritis, (debilitating joint pain and muscle weakness) we finally have an initial diagnosis from the Rheumatologist:  Wegener's Granulomatosis.  (it's a form of vasculitis).

It's a rare auto-immune disease in which the body mistakenly attacks the blood vessels, causing them to become inflamed - and the inflammation can cause damage to various organs: but mostly the upper respiratory system, lungs, and kidneys in my case.  I am also experiencing joint pain - but it will not have the damaging effects that RA has.

I have a CT scan scheduled this Thursday for my sinuses and lungs - there seems to be a small nodule detected on my chest x-ray - so they want to investigate that further to determine if there has been any lung damage.  I'm really hoping to avoid a lung biopsy...  And the sinus CT is also to determine damage from the summer long illness.  Initial tests suggest that I do not have any kidney damage at this time, which is great news!

Doctor said that I have a mild case and that treatment will take 2-3 years to try to achieve a remission.

There are three basic drugs used to treat Wegener's: Prednisone, Cyclophosphamide and Methotrexate and we're hoping that my illness isn't severe enough to use the Cyclophosphamide - as it is a chemotherapy drug with serious side effects.

We are so grateful that it seems to have been caught early - this is a serious disease that results in fatality if left untreated.

I was able to get away for almost two weeks - Ron's parents graciously offered to fly me out to Michigan so I could rest and gain some strength for the upcoming season of lots of doctors, tests and treatments.  I had a wonderful time soaking up the beautiful scenery, enjoying the lake and the fall colors, taking long walks and watching beautiful sunsets.  I had long stretches of time to think, pray, study, journal and to just be alone and quiet before the Lord... getting strengthened by his grace.

I am back home now and ready to begin this journey - leaning heavy into the Lord and finding that his grace is sufficient in my weaknesses.