My New Adventure!!

Hi everybody...I am back. It's been a while since my last post. Wow, hard to believe it's almost November. Before you know it, it'll be Thanksgiving then Christmas. A lot has changed since we last talked. I have started a new venture into the world of Mary Kay. I was a beauty consultant once before, back during my undergrad years. But I was so busy with various activities that I didn't really focus on my business like I should have. Now, I am looking at things in a different light. I am doing this in order to become financially independent. I want to explore every avenue of the business and share this with all women. This is a great opportunity and I am glad to be able to pamper others, and educate them about their beauty and skin care needs. This is also a great way to share my testimony as to where I am and have been while dealing with major health issues. My Mary Kay business also forces me outside of my "comfort zones". Check out my Mary Kay website at www.marykay.com/nbhones, and see all the great products we have to offer.
Speaking of health issues, I am glad to say I haven't experienced in major one recently since June. I have had the occasional infection of the peritoneal cavity, but no hospitalizations. My numbers continue to remain relatively stable. The only issues are the decreased Potassium and calcium levels. If anyone has any suggestions on how to increase these let me know. Yes, I am eating bananas and drinking orange juice, but I need some new ideas. In two weeks I will be going to have my monthly labs drawn, so wish me luck.

Happy Independence Day!!!

Another week has gone by and what a week it has been. First, let me say "Happy Fourth of July" and "Happy 37th Anniversary", to my loving parents!! I love you guys, thank you for everything you do and have ever done for me. To say I wouldn't be here without the help and love of these 2 great people would be an understatement. Today, I hope while you are out barbecueing and watching the various firework displays with your family, please remember the many men and women of our Armed Forces who fight daily and have fought to keep our country free!!! Love you all!! Special shout-out to my family members who are and have been members of the military. Hope everyone enjoyed the day safely with the family.

Benlysta Tuesday!!!

Today was busy for me. Today was my regularly scheduled monthly visit to my rheumatologist and monthly Benlysta infusion treatment. First, let me tell you all some of what my rheumatologist does. He is one of my physicians whom I see regularly. He is a physician who diagnoses and treats rheumatic conditions such as Lupus, rheumatoid arthritis, Fibromyalgia, and several others. Rheumatic conditions/diseases often affect internal organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, kidneys, and blood vessels. My symptoms range from pain and swelling of my joints, fatigue, skin sensitivity to prolonged sunlight exposure, anxiety, and sometimes depression. I have suffered from Lupus since 1995, when I was only 15 years old. Wow, imagine having that news given to you as a sophomore in high school. Just a little past info...but back to today. I saw my doctor as scheduled then proceeded down the hallway to the infusion suite. Imagine a room of about 9-10 recliners filled with patients, each hooked up to an IV receiving their prescribed medication. I must say, you can not find a more kind and caring group of nurses who continuously watch over me throughout the process. These group of ladies and gentleman, lol, know how to make me comfortable and relaxed. They also do a great job of making me laugh and making the experience as pleasant as possible. Wish I could name them, but I can't due to laws and regulations. But I will say "thank you for all you do to help me and others like me ". I sat down in my recliner, and my RN came over and first checked my arm for a good vein. Then came that lovely stick (OUCH!!!)but it didn't hurt lol. After my IV was placed I was off and running. The infusion process lasted approximately an hour and 15 minutes. Happy to report no adverse sidde effects. Until next time family.....

Hey everyone, hope you are having a great start to your summertime fun. I have been dealt a small setback since my last entry. On June 11th, I became sick while driving home from my computer class. I thought maybe I was dehydrated or my potassium dropped so I immediately got my Mom on the phone. I told her what was happening and that I felt ill. She told me to pull over as soon as possible, which I did at a nearby gas station. She, along with my brother came to get me but I apparently passed out momentarily. Next thing I knew the EMTs were pulling me out of my truck onto the stretcher..I was headed to the hospital. While there in the ER it was said that my calcium levels were critically low, and I was given some via IV. They decided to keep me to run tests and for observation. During the night on Wednesday, my blood pressure spiked and they called in a blood pressure medicine. On Thursday, my Sorors came to visit and my Dad was there also. I was told I would be discharged later in the day. While eating lunch I started to not feel well and stopped eating. My Mom soon arrived. After a while I began feeling worse so we paged the nurse. We waited a while, then paged her again. She soon came in the room and checked my BP, it was extremely high. She was about to go get the medicine I had taken the night before when I suffered a seizure. I remember awakening to the voice of my neurologist, I was in the Neuro ICU (I included a couple of pictures below). Not again I thought. The last time I had a seizure was February 15, 2011 when I had 6 within a 4 hour period. I stayed this time in the ICU for 3 days. I was released from the hospital on June 17th. I was placed back on seizure medication which makes me extremely drowsy and dizzy at times. Also, I am not allowed to drive for 6 months. Bummer ....there goes my summer. Oh well, maybe I will save money that way lol. I am just glad I am alive and didn't suffer any permanent damage I hope. Other than that, things had been going well. I am still waiting for "the call". I am looking at possibly going back to school via an online program. I am also going to start concentrating more on my photography. TTYL!!! #Lupus#KidneyDisease#Seizures#HighBloodPressure#Waiting#Encouraged#Fighting#Family#Love#Support#IamAConqueror#Blessed#Neuro

A new year, a new me!!!

Today, I am 34 years and 1 day old. Wow how time flies by. I have been bad about updating my blog, so here we go..Yesterday as I stated was my 34th birthday in which I celebrated it with my family, with a wonderful dinner at my favorite restaurant. I was happy to be feeling well enough to enjoy dinner. Here lately I have had more " not so good days" than good. My energy level has not been the best. I struggle with being able to make it through a whole day without wanting to take a nap. My rheumatologist has told me that I need to take a nap a day to re-energize myself (guess I need to try harder). I am happy to report that my calcium levels have increased, therefore decreasing those painful muscle cramps. My protein level has also increased. I have tried to become more active in the fight against kidney disease. I recently participated in the Alabama Kidney Foundation's walk-athon in Huntsville back in April. It was such a great experience seeing others going through the fight also. I would definitely love to thank the following people for their support: the Johnson family, Kim King, Alvin & Diane Bhones, Jimmy Singleterry, Bonita Crutcher, Mary Kelly, Val Jackson, and Tira Williams. Without there support I wouldn't have been able to complete the walk. I am in the process of coming up with ways to bring more awareness to high blood pressure, end stage renal disease, and lupus. There is a real need for increased education on these health conditions.

My angel, my progress...

What a difference a few weeks make. Things have gotten a little interesting for me. Let me first apologize for slacking on my posts. I had an appointment on yesterday with my PD team. It went well for the most part, just need to watch my calcium levels. If anybody has any suggestions on ways to up my protein levels while maintaining the correct level of calcium let me know. Oh yes, then there's always that albumin level. Albumin is basically any protein that is water soluble. It is commonly found in blood plasma. The normal range for albumin in adults is 3.5-5 g/dl. The range for children is 2.9-5.5 g/dl. Of course mine is never in the normal range, always short, but I work on improving it daily. I am proud of myself, in an effort to get myself back in better physical shape I have joined the local YMCA. As of this month I have officially been on the kidney transplant wait list 1 year. I know that my kidney is coming very soon. Since my last post, I am happy to report that God has sent an angel to be by my side. This angel has been sent to me in the form of a very close friend whom I lost contact. This person has been such an inspiration to me and given such uplifting words that I am and will forever be greatful. You see, fighting end stage renal disease and lupus is not by any means an easy battle. But when you have a support system such as I have, it makes it bearable. Always remember to stay positive and optimistic about the future. My goals for the next week include finishing some arts and crafts, taking pictures of the fall colors (I will post them when finished), see a movie, and keep you guys up on any breaking news. Until then.... Keep your head held high, stay motivated and inspired!!! #Albumin #end-stage renal disease #lupus

Hey everyone, I'm back. I had a little setback this week..another hospital admission. But I am okay, just a drop in the blood pressure causing me to pass out. But anywho, back to my story. When I first realized I was at the hospital back in 2011, I was not fully awake. I remember the physicians trying to insert a PIC line into the side of my neck. I could hear their voices, telling me to try and stay still. For some reason I couldn't open my eyes. The next memory I had was of me waking up to my Mom, Dad, a few friends, and a co-worker at the end of my bed. I then realized I was in ICU, but didn't know why. Once I became more coherent, I remember having to have an NG tube placed to help with my nutrition levels. Yuckie...not a fun process. As the days went by it was removed and I was placed on a puree diet. Now for those that don't know exactly what that entails...well imagine eating nothing but baby food or applesauce for every meal. I soon transitioned back to regular foods. One morning in particular that I remember was my Dad at my bedside helping me eat breakfast. He then told me a few details as to what all happened. I was blown away, I thought I had been in the hospital for a few days. But it was longer than that. I don't remember much, but I do want to say "thank you" to everyone who stood by my family's side and never stopped praying for me. Although I don't remember seeing everyone, I know you all came to visit and it is greatly appreciated. I had to stay at the hospital for a few more weeks and then transferred to a rehabilitation hospital for additional occupational, physical, and speech therapies. I was now a patient. This gave me the opportunity to see what my patients go through on a daily basis. It gave me a whole new perspective to the world of speech therapy and the other rehab disciplines. I improved, and I believe I only spent maybe over a week there. Then came the big day...I was finally discharged to go home. I had been away from home for a total of 34 days. Wow...just imagine not being able to recall weeks at a time and then to have to be away from home that long. I was super excited to finally walk through the garage at our house. As soon as I came in the kitchen door, my baby Spanky, the daschaund, was there with his little waggly butt to greet me. Oh what a feeling....