This week, I’m still playing the Lupus waiting game. This time, my rheumatologist, after seeing the biopsy stitches in my thigh from a few days ago, sent me urgently to the lab for blood tests to rule out urticarial vasculitis. So, now I have two doctors suspecting this complication. I sure hope they’re wrong. In the meantime, I have to wait for the results. More waiting. Again…. **
Body
One word to describe my Lupus body today: Tired
Which habits and rituals did I practice to soothe my Lupus body?
- Ate a clean diet
- Breathed fresh air
- Stayed hydrated
- Protected delicate skin
More details about my physical symptoms:
My three-month follow up with my rheumatologist was this morning. I was still broken out with the hives, and I still had stitches in my thigh from the biopsy. When Dr. T saw my skin—the bruising, itchy hives and the sutures—she immediately sent me to the lab for blood work to test for urticarial vasculitis. The tests she ordered were for cyroglobulin, complements 3 and 4, and the Anti-DNA ds. In pain, itchy, and exhausted, I had to go the lab after my appointment with her. I’m physically tired of all this.
Mind
One word to describe my Lupus mind today: Anticipation
Which habits and rituals did I practice to strengthen my Lupus mind?
- Managed expectations
- Connected with my doctor
- Learned about Lupus
More details and thoughts about how I’m feeling emotionally today:
Already waiting for results from the biopsy, I’m now going to have to wait for the results from today’s lab work. Both the biopsy and these special blood tests apparently take a long time to process. So, I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin because I’m so hyper about it all. Waiting is the worst.
Spirit
One word to describe my spirit today: Allowing
Which habits and rituals did I practice to nurture my Lupus spirit?
- Embraced uncertainty
Thoughts about my spiritual connection and spiritual lessons learned today:
If there’s one thing I’ve learned about my spiritual side, it’s that sometimes you just can’t force things. You must allow life to happen. We perfectionistic, control freaks have this tendency to think we can affect all the outcomes in our lives—be it through our actions or our influence. With this Lupus, I have gotten the message loud and clear that forcing doesn’t work. Like today, there’s nothing I’d like more than to force the doctors and the lab to get my results to me sooner. Instead, I’m forced to allow this to play out in its own time and in its own way. I’m learning to be okay with that.
Meals
Today my meals were:
- Breakfast: Wheat-free, gluten free waffle, applesauce
- Lunch: Leftover homemade chicken soup
- Dinner: Broiled salmon, dill rice, broccoli
- Snacks: Gala apple slices, almond butter
Thanks
At least one thing that I’m grateful for today:
- My bed
**(This post is based on the format of the Lupus Diary that I developed for keeping track of how Lupus affects my body, mind, and spirit, I check-in here once a week to let you know about the more interesting days of my Lupus journey. To learn more about the Lupus Diary, how I developed it, and why I use it, click here.)
