Saturday, June 30, 2012

Trip to Ireland

Went to bed early this am (02:00) because I had tea with caffeine instead of my usual Red Bush caffeine free tea. I was up and awake just after 06:30.

I am now sitting on a ferry, crossing from the UK to Southern Ireland (it is Saturday the 30th June). For the first time being on a boat or ship I am feeling nauseous and I am having the same feeling as if I am in an aeroplane. Just praying I will not need to go to the bathroom in a hurry as I cannot rush to get there.

We arrived safely in the County of Kilkenny at our hotel overlooking the river just before 8pm. I feel so tired and could not wait to vomit, this is the only way the belching and hiccuping will stop (I have been experiencing this for a few hours now).

Sunday and Monday we did a little sight seeing and window shopping and then slept the rest of the afternoon. I felt very fatigued and my body especially my legs ached a lot.

The vomiting is continuing and is very distressing

Tuesday we arrived in County Cork at our hotel in the middle of the city centre. I am still very tired and fatigued. And vomiting after my meals.

Wednesday we went sight seeing to a pretty village with quaint little side streets. Even though it as a very small port just walking round the little streets was far too much for me. I stayed in a cafe whilst Bob went to explore.

Thursday we went shopping in Cork and back to the hotel for a rest.

Friday we went on a coach trip to the West of Cork. It was very beautiful but we had to be up early for that and of course I did not sleep most of the night. I am feeling so tired and my legs are aching so much. We went on a ferry to a little Island to look at some wonderful gardens but it was very difficult and painful for me to walk around.

Saturday I am awake early with awful chest pain. After breakfast we left County cork for Rosslare to catch the ferry back to the UK early Sunday morning.

I have been home now since Sunday night but the holiday (vacation)has left me feeling very exhausted, I am fatigued with dizziness and now headache and mouth ulcers.

Thank you Lord for your love, faithfulness, and mercy, without you I would not be able to breathe. I am so grateful for your love and peace during this storm in my life.

Friday, June 29, 2012

Maureen's blog: Another Lupus Flare

Maureen's blog: Another Lupus Flare: Felt very fatigued last week with aches and pains all over my body. I still carried on doing the things I usually do such as going to the to...

Tuesday, June 26, 2012

Another Lupus Flare

Felt very fatigued last week with aches and pains all over my body. I still carried on doing the things I usually do such as going to the toning suite for gently exercise.

The weekend started with diarrhoea but thank God it did not last for more than a day.

More aches and pains but I know it is only a flare up of the lupus symptoms. So I am ignoring them and just learning to know my limitations as to what I can and cannot do at these times.

Monday and the dreaded mouth ulcers are back. This time inside my lower lip which is making it difficult to have hot drinks or even eat anything hot.

Went to see the Rheumatologist today and forgot to tell him about the mouth ulcers and blood blisters I keep getting. I think the mention of more chemotherapy caused me to have temporary brain freeze. Any I decline the offer of more chemo for the present. If my breathing worsens during the next four months then I will have no choice but to have more chemo (it has helped with my breathing as I really though I was going to need lung transplant or oxygen).

I am trusting God for my healing and His help each day. He has promised never to leave me so no matter what or how I feel He is still there in charge.



Sunday, June 17, 2012

Maureen's blog: Folliculitis

Maureen's blog: Folliculitis: I just want to thank God for sustaining and keeping me strong and sane each day, without His strength I know I would surely fall apart. It...

Tuesday, June 12, 2012

Folliculitis

I just want to thank God for sustaining and keeping me strong and sane each day, without His strength I know I would surely fall apart.

It is Tuesday and we have been having a lot of rain here in the UK and not much sun so I have been indoors and now I have a rash on my arms (large spots) it is very red and itchy and I am just praying it is not shingles.

I haven't been able to sleep much because of the backache and itching. I am now feeling very exhausted, lightheaded and just unwell.

The breathlessness and coughing are back even without much exertion. Because my lungs are damaged by the lupus when I get breathless I start to cough, this is helping the oxygen to flow through my blood more efficiently.

Went to my doctor on Friday because of the spots/rash and he said I have Folliculitis. I have been given antibiotic but it is causing me to throw up.

Today is Sunday and every part of me ache, I feel I have been in a boxing ring. I have no energy and am exhausted but God is on my side, so there is no need to fear or worry.

Sunday, June 10, 2012

Maureen's blog: Gastroenterology consultant

Maureen's blog: Gastroenterology consultant: Went to see the Gastroenterologist on Tuesday because my food is staying in my oesophagus and not always going into my stomach. He has dec...

Thursday, June 7, 2012

Gastroenterology consultant

Went to see the Gastroenterologist on Tuesday because my food is staying in my oesophagus and not always going into my stomach.

He has decided that I should have a special test done called a Oesophageal Manometry test. This will check my oesophageal spasm to see how strong or weak it is. The consultant thinks the lupus has weaken the spasm and this is why the food is not going into my my stomach.

I will have to go to a hospital out of my area for this test and will have a camera left in my oesophagus for twenty four hours.

It has been a week of aches and pains but I have to trust my saviour (Jesus) to see me through the good times as well as the bad times.

I had a friend came to visit me yesterday and I had to go to vomit and of course it took a while because I am now starting to get very breathless again and couldn't move for a while,. When I did return to the lounge she became frightened because I could not breathe properly therefore I could not speak.

Today is Sunday and I had another bad night of backache and coughing. I was up most of the night and only went back to bed about 5 am. Slept until after midday.

I did not go to church again today as I am now having another flare and rest is the order of the day and possible week.

Thank you Jesus for carrying me when I am weak, your strength is just what I need I know you will not let me down. Thank you that I can find rest and peace in you.

Sunday, June 3, 2012

Maureen's blog: Another week of pain and vomiting

Maureen's blog: Another week of pain and vomiting: I am giving thanks to Almighty God for keeping me alive. I have had a week of pain in my body mostly in my muscles when sitting down or ly...

Saturday, June 2, 2012

Another week of pain and vomiting

I am giving thanks to Almighty God for keeping me alive.

I have had a week of pain in my body mostly in my muscles when sitting down or lying in bed. The pain usually goes when I get up and move around.

Yesterday Saturday I decided to have a long soak in the bath to help with the muscle pain but as soon as I got out of the bath my head started to spin once again. The light headed ness continued all day.

I have also noticed that my memory has been very impaired all day. I am finding it difficult to remember certain things which is very frustrating.

It is now night and the vomiting has started again. I will be going to see the Gastrologist on Tuesday. Praying he will have a solution to help the passing of the food from my oesophagus to my stomach.

Today Sunday and I did not have a good nights sleep. I was up from about 04:00 to 07:00. Went back to bed and slept until nearly 13:00.

My legs and back are aching and I still feel very tired and fatigued but I am thankful that I am still alive and breathing (although it can be difficult if I move too quickly). So I give all the glory to my Saviour and Lord Jesus Christ.