Meanwhile, finished projects

Membranous glomerulonephritis, Round 2, Week 10

Day 0, and week 10 front and side.

Week 10:

Medication: 225mg cytotoxins (Cyclosporin), 32mg cortisone and other assorted goodies.

Hi Folks,

Time for a short update: As I claimed, the swelling would get worse, and as you can see, it has. I tried taking a picture from the side to show the hump on my back, but all you can really see is the chin. Well, it's there, you'll just have to take my word for it :) I'm now officially Quasimodo.As you can imagine, breathing with that thing around your head and throat isn't the easiest. I've chased Mr. Man out of the bed with my snoring and gagging for air several times, and my back is constantly aching. Good posture is non existent. 
The muscle atrophy is now so bad that rising out of chairs is difficult, and I'm constantly afraid of falling, even when just walking around at home. During Round One I fell over my own feet for anything, and as a result I was covered with bruises and scabs that wouldn't heal. Even just taking the biweekly blood tests leaves me with bruises that takes ages to heal. My arms look like I'm abusing intravenous drugs or something.

On a more positive note; my daughter and I am planning a "china-doll" picture of me, just for shits and giggles. I hope to be posting the pic soon. Also, we've decreased the cortisone again, so I'm now where we planned to be after four weeks; on half the dose of cortisone. Took some time, but we're getting there...

Sincerely,
Pepsi-Mama

Membranous glomerulonephritis. Round 2. Week 7.

End of week 6.

Week 7:

Medication: 250mg cytotoxins (Cyclosporin), 48mg cortisone and other assorted goodies.

For week 7 the Doctors orders were to amp up the cytotoxins again, but to decrease the cortisone by -16mg. So good news! 
I've responded really well to the treatment so far. Some measurement had decreased by 3/4 (which one I do not know) and the protein leakage into my urine has decreased as well. I got two more months of sick-leave, which makes the total four months. I'm hoping I won't need all of that.  

On the flip side of this change is the nausea and tremors caused by the cytotoxins increasing while the high from the cortisone diminishing, and frankly, I'd rather be high and frantic than feeling like shaking shit turned over. I'm already tired enough to lash out at my loved ones for the smallest freakiest things after the last increase, so an even more nasty temper is probably only to be expected. Explain this to your family, and remember to apologize after one of your outburst.

What else? Last week the mother of all nasty vaginal infections plagued me horrendously. I still have sensitive dry skin on the rest of my body, and after experimenting with taking no naps during the days I'm now sleeping 6 -7 hours on a good night. I still need to take it easy during the two hours I normally would have napped though.
Also, I no longer have any muscles in my thighs. Rising from a chair requires holding on to something, and don't get me started on getting up of the floor. Think truck backing up, ass first.


Sincerely,
Pepsi-Mama

Project "Tin jars"

Tin jars are a hoot and a half! Look for tin jars at the fleemarket - you can redo the even the ugliest ones to something usable. These cost me maybe 0,5€/pcs.

Before: The black chalkpaint was discolored,
and the tin had other stains that didn't come off.
After: Tea and Chocolate tins. No more half empty cartons of still unused tea or
half empty bags of O'boy in my cabinets.

How do you like my new cookie jar?
Sorry, it was so ugly I never took a "before" picture.

Sincerely,
Pepsi-Mama