RA and The Chance of Heart Attack Doubles with the Disease

Study: Rheumatoid arthritis nearly doubles risk of surprise heart attack - Since I've has 2!!!! Already One at 40 and another one at 50- I don't want a repeat for sure. My first one at 40 years old, my doctor told me then my chances of surviving a 2nd on were not good at all. So happened I was in the hospital in Dallas when I actually had the 2nd one. Or I may not be writing this today... my Rheumatologist always reminds me of just how high my chances are since I've had 2 already and now to have RA, Lupus and so on, that makes my risk extremely high... I do all I can to "help" avoid one. But, that was how I was BEFORE the first one! I was only 40 years old, I was in great shape, walked 5 miles daily, along with other types of exercise, I ate as healthy as anyone could, my cholestral was not high at all, my blood pressure was under control with medications... so you would have thought I would have been the "poster" person for NOT having a Myocardial Infarction. Yet, I did. My doctors back then had not discovered my Autoimmune issues. Had they known, they may have blamed it on that. But it was another 8 years before I was diagnosed with RA, Lupus etc. My 2nd one, at 50, I had been extremely ill. In fact, we just talked about that a day or so again. The doctors here and in Methodist hospital in Dallas, never really KNEW What was "wrong" with me. They blamed it partially on a nick in my liver from a gallbladder surgery I had in Ennis. But, then they kept telling us that I had a "collapsed bile duct"... whatever was going on "poisons" from my system were literally pouring into my abdominal cavity all around my internal organs and so forth. I continued to get more ill by the day, and after SEVERAL surgeries, they had hoped I was out of the woods, and improving. I went for over 6 WEEKS that I could not eat one bite or take a drink of anything. They had me on a liquid "nutritional" bag of "white liquid" and that was my "food" for weeks and weeks. About the time I began to be a bit better, and more able to be "coherent" - they were trying to send me home with all of these tubes running out of my side and I was not even able to really eat yet... so I got what they thought so totally "heart broken" over being so ill and feared coming home at the time, it caused a 2nd heart attack. Fortunately, I've avoided any type of surgery and I don't have any stents at the time, so far. Medications continue to control it, but believe me there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about "what if".... so never take any symptom pf an MI lightly. Even if your "young" 30's or younger, it can happen.....


http://www.news-medical.net/news/20150505/Study-Rheumatoid-arthritis-nearly-doubles-risk-of-surprise-heart-attack.aspx

Taking A Moment Away from the Griping and Fussing over illness and pain to say " Happy Mother's Day" to All!

Before I get back to my griping, fussing and being "sick and tired" of feeling "sick and tired" I thought I would stop and take "inventory" of Mother's Day, coming up on Sunday. It used to be a "tradition" of ours, to take my Mom, and the three of us go to one of the casino's. The last several years, we usually go to Oklahoma, to Winstar, because it all has you could ever want or need, plus it is quite a bit closer than going to Louisiana. :)

After my husbands accident last year in March, that kind of put a damper on things. In fact he was still in the hospital at Mother's Day last year, and Mom and I went together, just the two of us, and had a wonderful time. We usually have a blast together, whether it be at a Casino, or just a day away for a "window shopping trip".... so not being able for the 3 of us to go right now, kind of changes the scheme of things. Yet, life is like that. We never know when within a breath's space our entire lives can be changed forevermore.

This year is going to be a real challenge for me. Now I face yet another round of tests on my lumbar/sacral spine. They just called to sit up a "discography" to be done in Dallas at Medical City. I chose to wait until the last part of the month, on the 27th, which now I am wondering why I decided to wait that long. Today, I feel like I've been ran over by a train, and then backed over and ran over once more. My back had been feeling "somewhat" better. And of course between our freaky weather, and all I've been doing, my back hurts like hell right now. But, so does the rest of me. So, I figure I've either came down with a slight "bug", or it is a "flare" trying to come on... fatigue, pain, lethargic, nauseated, my head feels like it could explode and our humidity has to be at 100%!!!!

Anyway, I said no "griping" on this post :)  So, again below is what I posted to all of the Mom's on Facebook. Thus, here it is for all of you also.

Enjoy your kids!!! They grow up much to quickly. Just turn around once, blink your eyes, and within a breaths space, they are grown, often married, with family's of their own, jobs, and all that life entails for them. So, everyone with little tot's please enjoy every moment of the funny, silly, and sometimes messy things they do... for it won't be long, they will be out of high school, out of college and out into the world all their own....

And you shall be wondering where the time went....

With Love, Honor and Wishing All Mom's out there a very Happy Mother's Day!

I wanted to post a "shout out" there to ALL MOMS! Mothers Day is here on Sunday, and before I get too wrapped up in things I want to make sure to let every Mom, Step-Mom, and so on know just how incredible you are. The many nights we've stayed up with them when they were little, or ill, to the days of school, lunches and parties. From the PTA meetings, cupcakes for the class, all of the special birthday parties, holidays and decorations we put out for our kids to enjoy. From the days of worry over them as they grow a bit older, and pray "we've raised them right... those times we think "they didn't come with an instruction manual, and that pain we endured when they were born, and how quickly it melted away as soon as we heard that first cry. They always remain "Our kids" no matter if they are 3 yrs old or 35 years old... kids still are kids to parents... I am so proud of my two "kids"... although both grown, my son 35 soon to be 36 (I think) and my daughter 31soon to be 32 (I think);) and her awesome husband and my 3 great and wonderful grand kids. I so wished we lived closer, we just don't get to see one another as we would like. Yet, life is life, and sometimes things are not exactly as we would like them to be. So, thank goodness for FB, so she can keep me up to date, with pictures of all of their events, and I have got to watch them "grow up" via Facebook! :):) For that I am elated. I wish each and every Mom out there an incredible Mother's Day! Whatever and wherever you get to go, or stay home, visit, rest, and however you celebrate, may you be well, free from pain, if only for that day, and know in your heart, you are a fantastic Mom!!!! 

"World Autoimmune Arthritis Week" Race Around the Globe! Are your Ready! by the International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis

WOW! May 2015 is going to be a very busy month for all advocates!

We have several "awareness" things going on for May and one of them is the "Race Around the Globe" for a week of spreading awareness about Autoimmune Arthritis!


The International Foundation for Autoimmune Arthritis (IFAA) is putting this week on. It begins on Ma15th, and around the Globe many entities will be participating in it.

Here is a link to the official "PR" release:

http://www.prweb.com/releases/2015/WAAD/prweb12684750.htm

For More Information about This Amazing Race Around the Globe - Host by IFAA, where you can also sign up to participate see:

http://www.worldautoimmunearthritisday.org/home.html

Lupus awareness Month Started May 1st"

Here we are, the time flying by. It seems like just yesterday was the beginning of the new year. Now we are already experiencing "spring" in the air, Fall has faded, Winter has "winterized" and with Spring Comes "Lupus Awareness Month"!

There will be MANY activities this month from walks, to all types of other advocate projects that you can help with.

The most important thing you can do is "Spread the Word" and educate others about Lupus!

I have literally been surprised at how many people, including  Medical Professionals, are not familiar with Lupus. Difficult to believe with all of the information out there about treatments, medications, new medications on the horizon, social media, U-Tube, and many, many of us are continually "hooked into" being online in some realm.

So, it is time to tell your story about Lupus. Tell a friend, post it in your local newspaper as an Op-Ed, or send a Letter to the Editor. Post a poster on your Facebook, or blog.

There are many ways you can reach out and let others know about this serious, life altering, life taking illness.

The "New Addition" the the Royal Family in Britan - New LIttle Girl is here!!!

Kate and William brought out the little bundle of joy for all the world to behold today. This is after delivering yesterday!!! Kate looks amazing, but I bet she is give out tired.... ;) and running on "that after glow and excitement".... I am thrilled it was a girl... I had hoped it would be... it will be awesome to watch how they dress her....

So, Congrats to the Royal Couple, their Little King and their latest Addition of the "Princess"....