A Polymiositis Update!

Fall is in the air here in the Carolinas.  The leaves are slowly changing colors and dropping.  Instead of the mid 90s during the day, it has been in the low 80s and absolutely lovely.  Not to mention the nights -- oh my -- we've been able to open our windows and sleep without the air conditioning!  Glorious!!  My favorite time of year by far!

Photo taken by our daughter in our yard

Today was a really good day.  I awoke early to let out the dogs and hubby and I got started on washing, waxing and detailing the cars.  Perfect weather for such a project.  Sitting there on my little stool while scrubbing the wheels, I told my husband, "I just can't understand why people spend big bucks to have their cars washed when they could do it themselves.  Imagine the money they'd save and the enjoyment of accomplishing such a task!"  (I probably owe the love of clean cars to my father -- he always kept our vehicle spotless!  Thanks Dad!)

Ok, so you worked on your cars today.  Big deal!  Yes, VERY BIG DEAL!   The reason it was such a big deal was that I was able to get out there with husband and work alongside him instead of sitting in a chair, watching him work.  HUGE accomplishment!  My damaged lungs from when I had pneumonia put a serious damper on any kind of manual labor.  I have permanent scar tissue in both lungs and my lung capacity is far less than it ever was.

Within the last few weeks, I was approved for home oxygen therapy.  It was something I asked for from my primary care physician.  My resting oxygen levels were below 90 (they should be 98-100) - and I was having trouble doing much of anything.  Five minutes of vacuuming the living room made me dizzy.  I'd be gasping for breath, forced to sit down and breathe deeply.  It was ridiculous.  I was frustrated, to put it mildly.

Today, though I got a little winded a few times, I was able to carry on after just a few minutes of rest.  (My husband keeps a collapsible chair right inside the garage door so I can sit down any time I need to. Isn't he awesome?!  I am so blessed.)  The point is - I was encouraged today.  I was able to "work" and accomplish something -- something that lasted longer than just a few minutes.

How are my muscles, you ask?  Well, my hip joints and the shoulder joints are always tender and sore.  The task of putting on pants or the sort is always a challenge -- I can't lift my legs very high.  Getting in the car is a somewhat painful experience, lifting my leg.  But...

Did I say I was encouraged?!  Yes, I am encouraged.  I choose to focus on the positive.

God is good and He is faithful.