Thursday, September 6, 2007

Thankful Thursday

It is that time again...  I am so off-kilter, I almost forgot!

Thankful Thursday Things...

1.     Coffee.  Yes, it is at the top of my list again.  I know that seems shallow, but when you need it to live, to function, to leave the bed, you really do have to give it props.

2.     Hubby.  He missed me so much while I was gone!!!  It was so cute and sweet!  And, he cleaned, vacuumed, and did laundry!  Very hot...  I love when my man cleans!!!!

3.     Libby, Pumpkin & Tina.  You really don't appreciate how much love and comfort your dog and cats bring to your life until you are away from them, and reach to pet them, and you remember they aren't there.

4.     NJ Roads and drivers.  Yes, you read that right!  Indiana was full of speed freak, crazy butt drivers, passing on the right shoulders at 70 mph, tailgating, and worse!  The signs were confusing and usually non-existent, and there were accidents everywhere all the time we were there!  I told all my relatives now living in Indy that are former NJ-ites, I had better never hear them complaining about NJ traffic, drivers or roads, EVER! LOL

5.     Prednisone.  It truly is a miracle drug, but a vicious double-edged sword. 

On the one hand, it cut through my fatigue, swelling, and joint pain like Samurai sword through a watermelon.  I felt great, and was able to do whatever I needed to do!  Sure, it kept me awake for 40 hours after the first dose, and gave me the jitters a little, but that was a fair trade to me. 

However, then the sword swings back into yourself and longterm steroid usage kills your kidneys, messes up your bloodwork, usually gives you diabetes, wounds don't heal, infections run rampant, and you eat like you have 4 stomachs. 

<sigh>  If there was just some way to take the good that prednisone can do, and counteract the side effects, living with Lupus, Rheumatoid Arthritis, and a host of other diseases, such as MS, Crohn's, Psoriasis etc, would be so much easier!

So, that is why no more longterm prednisone usage for me.  Just an occasional 'pulse' for vacation.

6.     Football.  Yay!  The season started officially tonight!  The Indianapolis Colts, current Super Bowl champs, vs. the New Orleans Saints!  Jets and Giants this weekend!  Wooohooo!

I am going to join Hubby to watch right now!

be well,
Dawn

22 comments:

Anonymous said...

The emptiness where you expect a pet to be....awful
Love
Marti

Anonymous said...

Your man CLEANS house?!! I'm jealous now ;-) Cin

Anonymous said...

got the game on too :)  Will be going to the Jets game at the end of the month.  Hoping I can get my camera in
hugs
d

Anonymous said...

I really miss having pets.  We have a no pets allowed place.  So, I spoil my clients' pets with bones, treats and squeaky toys(only to one, with permission).  Glad you did so well on your trip.  I know what you mean about the drivers.  We have them coming up from downstate for vacation and driving like they're in rushhour traffic.  Jeez, slow it down, or go home.  
Oh, Maxine, me neither!  (That's her name, right?)
                             Smiles,  Leigh

Anonymous said...

I used to have to give prednisone to my son when he was little for asthma, I HATED doing that!!  But it worked REALLY well!!!

Joann

Anonymous said...

Enjoy the game and thanks for the kudos to our NJ roads! xoxo CATHY

Anonymous said...

I know what you mean about the pets...I complain about them all the time and then miss them horribly when I'm out of town.

xoxo
Russ

Anonymous said...

I'm thankful for California drivers...  They drive terribly in the Azores...pedestrians hardly have the right of way--and if you have a 3 year old it's even more stressful!!!  I need a coffee IV at work.  I have so much work piled up that chocolate doesn't do it by itself..  :)  Julie

Anonymous said...

I thought Long Island drivers were crazy. They seem calm compared to what you've seen.
Be well
Ellen

Anonymous said...

Enjoy your weekend.
Missie

Anonymous said...

try driving in philly. these people can't read and are color blind when it comes to stop signs and traffic lights, lol. I was born and raised in New Jersey but now live in philly. i try to drive as less as possible and when i do drive i obey all signs, signals and rules and get yelled at from other drivers. oh well my child is in my van with me and i am careful. Hope you have a great weekend. ((((((Hugs))))))))
Cindy

Anonymous said...

I've taken prednesone before.  Man, I could eat when I took that stuff!  But the side effects are too horrible!  sorry you are going through all of the stuff you go through!
Traci

Anonymous said...

Being from California, I didn't think drivers could get any worse - I guess their all over - maybe taking the bus isn't such a bad idea after all (that thought alone scares me). Happy to hear you have found some relief, hope it stays with you. Enjoy your Friday and the weekend to follow. Take care of you,
Katie

Anonymous said...

Yeah football!!!!  We had it on all night and it will be on all weekend!!
Gillie

Anonymous said...

And you didn't mention the 5-10 pounds gain that I always get just from the pulse lol!  It's one of my least favorite side-effects of prednisone.
loving you
karyl

Anonymous said...

Wonderful things to be thankful for....especially the coffee....

Have a GREAT day Dawn....

Michele

Anonymous said...

Glad to hear the Prednisone helped you go and enjoy yourself. I had a doctor that described the pain medication Ultracet to me for over 4 months. Later on I found out it shouldn't of been taken for more than a week. It does major damage to the kidneys and your nerves. Go figure......

That was sweet of hubby to give you a clean home to come back to. They have their endearing qualities don't they.
(Hugs) Indigo

Anonymous said...

I love a man that cleans too! Every week would be good of course, but that's just pushin it thought huh?
Gaz ;-) xxxxxx

Anonymous said...

Dawn ~ I know I've read your journal before BUT I goofed and never added it to mine.  You are officially added!!  Prednisone is the wonder drug.  Mom and I always called it the "cure all'!  I LOVE that you did Thankful Thursday Things! At the end of a day...it's always good to find the "gratefuls".  You're in my prayers!!
xoxoxox Irene
http://journals.aol.com/alwaysireneann/meet-me-at-the-breakfast-table

Anonymous said...

I have to admit that Indy driving is very, very bad!!
Lori

Anonymous said...

I like your thankfuls. Good list. :)
I'm originally from NJ, living in Germany now. I miss home!

Anonymous said...

Not sure where to post this but I wanted to ask if anyone has heard of National Clicks?

Can someone help me find it?

Overheard some co-workers talking about it all week but didn't have time to ask so I thought I would post it here to see if someone could help me out.

Seems to be getting alot of buzz right now.

Thanks