A beautiful day...

As many of you know, the cough/lung thing has been back for the past few weeks and I've been out of work the past week. I've been trying to maximize relaxation and family time and overall seeming to accomplish it.
Yesterday, I decided to push it a little bit and had the most wonderful day.
We spent the morning just hanging out at home, playing games, reading...
We all went to Jack's hockey game which was great.
Then off to the Museum of Science. We had an awesome time there exploring, watching the lightning show, and hit the Harry Potter exhibit. Em is such a Harry Potter fan- it's so fun to see the exhibit through her eyes. Jack, of course, enjoyed playing Quidditch. They were both super excited to use the Spend money from their piggy banks from Chanukkah.
On to the T and hit the Border Cafe for dinner. While waiting for our table, I took the kids to the Coop and let them splurge on a few books. Stupendous dinner including my favorite, fried plantains!
Then a safe, quiet ride home.
Only to be followed by a quiet day at home today including a Settlers of Catan game which Jack won. Lots of other games, reading and snuggle time.
Overall, life is good.
Now, hopefully the doctors tomorrow will wave their magic wand so health issues will all vanish away and I'll continue to feel better for work on Wednesday.

The Kleenex ad.

Me: "Sorry that I haven't been able to play hockey and go skating with you lately. And that I haven't been able to play wii a lot either."
Jack: "I know."
Jack: "But, you know mom, lots of moms don't do that kind of stuff anyways. I'm just lucky that you want to do those things and I know you'll do them again with me when you're feeling better."
Jack: "And, mommy, we've been playing a lot more card games and building legos and stuff and that's really fun too"
Jack: "And, mommy, I just like spending time with you"

Seriously... took a lot to hold the tears back.

Happy holidays from L/J/E/J

Well, I haven't been the most faithful blogger lately. Maybe I'll restart again in 2010.
A few years ago, Jim and I finally gave up with holiday cards. It was a present that I gave to myself. Just one less thing for the to do list.
So here is 2009's holiday non-card.

Here goes nothing...

OK... so just out with it already. I have rheumatoid arthritis (or at least that's the most probable diagnosis at this point). Now that that's off my chest...
First off, I need to apologize for those of you who are hearing the news for the first time via a blog entry. I have kept the following pretty close to home for quite some time for a lot of reasons. It's been a long few months and I haven't quite figured out how to address this with people- how to bring it up, how to answer all of the same questions, how to lie and say I feel great or how to tell the truth and say I feel like crap without getting people to feel sorry for me. I wasn't sure who I wanted to know what information- family, friends, patients, colleagues. Honestly, I was just waiting until I achieved "remission" or "flare-free status" and then I could just say that I was taking medicines and it was all behind me but I didn't quite think I would be waiting this long and still be feeling not 100%
As my cousin said to me today, "You are the most refreshingly blunt person I know" and I figured bluntness was the best way to go about this.
So, to answer the most common questions:
I started feeling sick in January- hand pain and fatigue
It got worse in early April.
Went to my primary (who rocks!!) and he did all the right blood tests and Xrays which were all normal so we were reassured.
Felt worse in the middle of April.
Went to a rheumatologist who ordered more blood tests which were all normal.
Felt even worse so went back to the rheumatologist who then ordered an MRI which showed synovitis and joint destruction consistent with rheumatoid arthritis.
Started on meds including prednisone, DMARDS and a biologic.
They didn't work so switched to a different biologic.
Now waiting for them to work.
Yes, I've gotten a second opinion.
Yes, I'm thinking about getting a third opinion.
Yes, I've thought about the role that stress might be playing.
Yes, I've thought about "alternative" treatment options.
Yes, I'm grateful that I've been handed this diagnosis in 2009 and not in previous years as they are more aggressive with meds earlier in the course to avoid permanent disability.
No, there is no family history (that I know of).
Yes, it sucks that I can't drink (especially since Jim started brewing super tasty beers).
Yes, it's hard to be on immunosuppresants while you're in the midst of an H1N1 epidemic and a doctor.
And, no, I'm not pregnant... just gained 10 pounds from the prednisone and a few more prior to the prednisone from the fatigue of the disease but I started exercising again (although at a quite frustrating minimal level) so hopefully those pounds will go away.
Any other questions... feel free to email or call.
I'm trying to fight this with my usual sense of humor and head down, plow on through attitude.
That being said,

Eight years ago today...

Eight years ago today, a very crowded waiting room welcomed Emma...
Hard to believe what the next eight years will bring.

Jack reading!!

The past few weeks Jack's reading and writing have completely taken off. And we found out he won the lottery and got in to full day kindergarten!! Thank goodness.
Thought you might enjoy watching Jack read. Of course, just because he is reading, doesn't mean the other crazy, active part of Jack has calmed down (as in, watch the second half of the video for crazy Jack).

Go, Emma, Go, Emma!!!

My mom took Emma to a Celtic concert at Slater Mill. She got picked by the band's dance leader to come and dance with him. Check her out!