One more day

My favorite holiday is almost here! One more day and it will be All Hallow's Eve, aka Halloween. It's also the day before the new year in some Wiccan and Pagan religions. All together, it's just a very fun and wonderful holiday when who you are doesn't matter and you can be someone else if you want to. Dressing up has been a favorite of mine, but this year isn't one that I'll be in costume. Just can do it physically. So I don't know what I'm going to be doing. Lol, more than likely it'll be something small. Since moving into this house, I've been able to do my rememberance ceremony every year and I will continue the tradition by doing it again this year. I make a meal, usually a roast with vegetables, a small salad and something for dessert, and set an extra place setting on a special table lined with a nice table cloth. Around the plate, I put pictures of friends and family that I have lost over the years. I light a white candle and fix the plate just as I would if they were here to eat with me. It just makes me feel better about them being gone but not forgotten as well as celebrating the wonderful memories I have of those who have passed away. Unfortunately, there will be a new photograph added to the circle this year. Always sad for me.

The past few weeks have been really bad for me as far as pain and stiffness goes. I have gotten a bit used to the constant pain but there are moments when I just break down and cry because this isn't living the day to the fullest. I've not been able to even do the small amount of household upkeep that I used to be able to do. I have seen my patches of psoriasis get worse and worse with each day. It's almost as though I'm becoming some sort of creature instead of living as a human. It makes me worry if I'll even be able to care for myself in the next five or ten years. Chris and I have talked realistically about the future and what preparations we'll need to take to make the house accessible for me when I get worse. But being only 29 years old (almost 30), I don't want to have a plan of action to put in a wheelchair ramp or handicap seat for the shower. Yes, I know it will help me, but it's frustrating to think of those I graduated school with who are being able to run, jump, play basketball or just walk through a store without difficulty. While I accept the limitations, I'm not happy about them. Poor Chris is having to carry the extra burden of helping me while carrying his own burdens. I know he doesn't mind but I worry that one day he'll say that enough is enough and go off on his own. I know he loves me more than that. But he's human and some days I wonder.

This time last year I was taking the Enbrel shots and boy, can I tell a difference! I was able to move without a lot of stiffness, shower, wash my hair and dress with little difficulty. Now, I am having a lot of trouble getting in and out of the shower or raising my hands above my head for the length of time it takes to wash my hair. It would be easier if I would cut my hair (which is down to the waist of my pants now) but I'm leaving it long for a friend's wedding. I have a few new joints in my hands that are acting up at the moment. This is the most trouble I've had with my hands in a long time. My back and feet have been tender and painful longer in the mornings after I wake up but it's not more than I can handle. My psoriasis, oh, where to start with that? Last year, my psoriasis had almost cleared completely on my scalp and elbows. The patches I had on my knees were completely gone. For the first time in seven years, I had contemplated whether or not to color my hair as I have always wanted to do but couldn't because of the sores on my scalp from the psoriasis. Now the psoriasis is back on my scalp, elbows and knees as well as on the left side of my neck and chest. I really don't like going anywhere in public without Chris. He makes me forget that I have those spots. I really wish that I could go back on the Enbrel. It's one of the things that I am going to talk to the rheumy about tomorrow when I go for my morning appointment. I know that my list of things to use to keep the arthritis under control is limited but there has to be something I can do to make me feel more human.

I'm taking it easy but I'm trying to get the things ready for tomorrow. I have put some dishes in the dishwasher that I need to use to make the roast. Chris is going to help me when he gets home from work. I just need to do the little things that I can. I'm thankful for my writer's group. I have gotten some wonderful constructive criticism that I am going to use in reworking my novel. So far, so good. Nanowrimo is coming up in less than two days. I sooooooo can't wait for it. With not much going on in my life, this is a big deal. I am happy to be a part of it. Still working away at both my afghan (which is nearly done) and my reading goal. I am suspecting that I won't reach 100 books read this year, but that doesn't mean I haven't tried or read a lot more than I would have thought. I will more than likely set my goal for next year at 100. If I get close to 70 this year, I know I can do 100 next year. Yay for me!

I'm off to do some work on my afghan. I'm going to be taking some pictures of it soon and will put them up when I can. Hope you all have a wonderful and safe Halloween tomorrow no matter what your plans may be. Have fun!

Love and blessings,
Kim

Health Headlines 10/30/06

Heart Murmurs More Common In Women ~> Click here.

Naturally Occurring Enzyme Can Break Down Key Part Of Alzheimer's Plaques ~> Click here.

Lung Cancer Symptoms Have Not Changed ~> Click here.

Chronic Cough And Sputum Linked To Secondhand Smoke ~> Click here.

Sleep Medicine: Sleep Apnea And Diabetes ~> Click here.

Blood Test May Detect Alzheimer's Disease Long Before Symptoms Appear ~> Click here.

Male Contraceptive Halts Development Of Sperm ~> Click here.

Curry for Arthritis ~> Click here.

Anesthetics may Increase Risk of Alzheimer's Disease ~> Click here.

One year anniversary :)

Well folks, that's me. Yes, that picture is a little outdated but it's still me. It's really the only one in which I think I look pretty. Ok, maybe I'm a bit biased, but that's understandable. Right? I just thought you, my wonderful readers and visitors, would like to see the person behind the blog, so to speak.

With my not being able to update when I wanted to due to the weather and arthritis problems, I've missed out on making some important posts. Today, since I'm feeling a bit better, I have decided that I would try and catch them all up in one post. Of course, I'm not going to do it in one sitting. I'm going to break it up over the next couple of hours. Just kinda hang in there with me.

It's been a year since I started this blog. I had originally had a couple of other mediums that I was using to try and reach people. I had a Livejournal as well as a MSN Spaces type blog. But there were restrictions within both that I felt were keeping me from reaching everyone that I wanted to with my posts. For some reason, I've felt compelled to write down my experiences with not only the progression of my disease but also the feelings and observations about my limits and goals. I was surfing the net when I stumbled upon Blogger. It allows me to reach a much wider range of people than those who need permission to see a MSN Spaces or private entries in a Livejournal. I didn't quite know what to be putting in this blog. At first I started to just ramble, but then I found a basic outline of things to cover for the day such as the weather, how it made me feel, my goals and to-do lists. Those things are important for me. It may make for some boring reading at times but it makes me realize that I'm still very much a human being on the days when I feel more of a monster. I plan to keep this blog going for as long as I'm able, if only for my own piece of mind and possible story ideas later on.

The month of October is a special one for me. Not only is it the anniversary of this blog, but it's also the anniversary of Chris and I being in a relationship with one another. We did get married in May but October is the month in which we found ourselves again and rekindled that love that was buried within us. There are many days when I feel as though we've been together a lot longer than ten years. Then there are other days when it feels as though we just began our journey together that very day. Life is so short and I've been blessed to have this man be a part of my life for so long. I'm greedy though. I want ten more years with him, and ten more after that, and ten more after that. Thank goodness he's with me.

I have thought about doing a comparison between how I am now and when I started this blog. That is going to have to be put off until tomorrow, however. I'm starting to really cramp up once again. I hope that all of my friends know that I even though I'm not online a lot, I do think of them often and I pray that they are doing well. I wish there was a way that I could take their pain, heartache and suffering from them so they could enjoy the love and wonderful times that life has in store for them. Have a good day everyone.

Love and blessings,

Kim

Health Headlines 10/29/06

Mental Function In Patients With Alzheimer's Enhanced By Computer-Based "Games" ~> Click here.

Some Veterans Face Waiting Lists For Mental Health Treatment, Report Finds ~> Click here.

Abbott's HUMIRA(R) (Adalimumab) Granted FDA Priority Review For The Treatment Of Moderately To Severely Active Crohn's Disease ~> Click here.

Crohn's Disease Gene Identified ~> Click here.

Tennis Elbow: Injection With Patient's Own Platelets Reduces Pain, Allows Return To Activity, May Replace Surgery For Chronic Sufferers ~> Click here.

Naturally Occurring Enzyme Can Break Down Key Part Of Alzheimer's Plaques ~> Click here.

Psoriasis: Skin Symptoms May Be Just The Tip Of The Iceburg ~> Click here.

Etanercept - An Innovative Biologics Treatment For Psoriasis ~> Click here.

Psoriasis Fact Sheet ~> Click here.

Diabetes Increases Asthma Prevalence ~> Click here.

More tomorrow

Due to a scheduled power outage that Blogger's going to be doing in less than an hour, I'm going to keep this entry short and sweet. It's a good thing because I'm hurting today as well. I am stiff and tender today. I don't want to take the Salsalte because it's been making my stomach hurt. That's something I'm going to have to talk with the rheumy about when I see him next week. I did manage to go get my Pro-time done today. I had forgotten to get it a few weeks back with everything that was going on. Not necessarily something that I should have been forgetting. But I'm human and it happens.

Since today is cold and rainy, I'm going to spend the day working on my afghan and maybe even writing a little when my hands loosen up some. I'm going to first get through some emails. I'm going to try and spend a half hour doing that. It's been tough to sit here for that long at times but I'll try my hardest. Then it's craft time. Lol, only for a few lines on the afghan though. I don't really want to wear out my hands before I get the chance to really use them.

Yesterday was the one year anniversary of this blog. :) I hadn't realized that hit had been a year already, but it amazes me that I've kept up with this month after month. The only month I have missed was January. That was due to the fact that Chris and I separated for a while and I ended up in the hospital with pneumonia and a blood clot in my lung. I plan to do a post tomorrow comparing where I was a year ago, physically and mentally to where I am now. Boring, maybe. But I want to do it.

Okay, okay. Off to emails before Blogger decides to punt kick me. Hope everyone is having a great day, no matter where they are. :) Stay warm (if it's freezing) or cold (if it's summer).

Love and blessings,
Kim

Health Headlines 10/26/06

Gene Variation Affects Pain Sensitivity And Risk Of Chronic Pain ~> Click here.

Key To Immune System's Ability To Remember, Found By Scientists ~> Click here.

What Do Doctors Know And Women Don't? ~> Click here.

FDA Approves New Medical Device For Elderly, Disabled And Bedridden ~> Click here.

Anxiety Disorders And Physical Conditions Linked ~> Click here.

CT Scan May Catch Lung Cancer Earlier ~> Click here.

Move over Fall

Winter has come to stay. For the past three or four days, the temperature hasn't reached about 50 degrees F and last night was the coldest night so far. It dipped down to 28 degrees F! So cold that I was cuddling with two blankets. We've turned the heat on, but for some reason I was extra cold. I have heard a rumbling that we're supposed to get some snow by the end of the weekend. I really hope not. The poor trick-or-treaters will freeze! Lol, it hasn't snowed on Halloween in a really long time. But I have a feeling that it just might do that this year. We'll just have to wait and see.

I can't believe that it's less than a week before NaNoWriMo starts. I have written out a small routine that I'm going to do my best to follow as closely as possible. Maybe it'll even help me sort out this problem with getting in the mood to write. Yes, I know that you can be in any mood to write, but after reading a review of a newly re-written chapter of mine, I'm starting to pay attention to whether or not something seems forced and not going with the flow of the story. I have to say that the review wasn't as harsh as it was for draft #1 of the chapter. Lol, for that I'm grateful. It also lets me know that I am improving, even if it's a little bit at a time. It means a lot to me right now. I really want to make things better with my writing and there's pretty much one way to do that - keep writing. That's what I'm going to do. Well, that and I'm going to keep working on my book goal. Lol, book #56 is Door to December by Dean Koontz. I'm working my way through my bookshelves, rereading some and reading others for the first time. I decided to make sure that I weed out the ones that don't interest me, but to read them nonetheless. I have to say that a lot of the books on my shelves are going to stay. So far out of 55 that I have finished, I'm only getting rid of 6. Lol, Chris wishes the number of those going off the shelves was a bit higher but I couldn't make myself get rid of something I'd read more than once. *winks*

Yesterday was a bit of a hard day for me. An old friend's mother passed away last Friday. I know that it was from cancer, but I'm not sure what type of cancer at the moment. The funeral services were yesterday so as I was driving home from being over at my own mother's house for a little while, I stopped by the church in which the funeral services were being held. I felt a little out of place because I wasn't really dressed that nicely for a funeral and also I knew that some of my outward symptoms of PA were in their high flare state. That means that my patches of Psoriasis and my joints were both affected. I made myself go into the church anyway, stopping near the area that leads into the kitchen of the church. It was there were I found my old friend. He saw me, came over and gave me a hug that I thought was going to last forever. I was so near tears. Even with everything that had happened between he and I in our past, I'd never wish death or pain on him or anyone in his family. We talked for a few moments before he introduced me to his wife-to-be and three of his four children. I spent a few more minutes talking to him before I had to leave so I could get home in time to wake Chris up for work. My friend hugged me again, tighter than before, and promised to get in touch with me. We share a lot of history in my 29 years of life. Some good and some bad. But still much more than I thought possible to share with someone other than Chris. I wish his family comfort and strength during this rough time.

As for me, I had a really bad headache for most of the day after I arrived at home. I'm not too sure why. I have to go get some bloodwork done tomorrow to monitor my Coumadin usage. I don't think that played a part in my headache. With the way the weather has been going back and forth between warm and cold, it wouldn't surprise me if I am developing some sort of sinus cold or infection. I go to the rheumy on Halloween so I'll be sure to ask him a few extra questions. Today, it's try to do laundry and load up the dishwasher day. Lol, well that's what I want it to be at any rate. I'm off to answer some emails, update a few things and then try to do a load of laundry. I've been thinking about doing a few posts concerning PA just to give everyone a refresher of sorts since it's been nearly a year that this blog was started. Take care until then.

Love and blessings,
Kim

Health Headlines 10/25/06

FDA To Expedite Reviews Of Some Generic Drugs, Official Says ~> Click here.

FDA Advisory Panel Recommends Adding Warning Label To Breast Cancer Drug Tamoxifen ~> Click here.

Vegetables, Not Fruit, Help Fight Memory Problems In Old Age ~> Click here.

Humira® Induced Clinical Remission In Patients With Crohn's Disease Who Lost Response To, Or Were Intolerant To, Remicade® ~> Click here.

Switch For Brain's Natural Anti-Oxidant Defense Identified By Scientists: Implications For Alzheimer's, Parkinson's And Other Brain Diseases ~> Click here.

FTC And FDA Act Against Internet Vendors Of Fraudulent Diabetes Cures And Treatments ~> Click here

Switch To Insulin Pen Improves Clinical Outcomes And Reduces Medical Costs For Diabetes ~> Click here.

Lupus Research Institute Awards $4.5 Million To Explore New Approaches To Lupus ~> Click here.

Even colder!

Wow! The temperature has dropped down into the upper 30's and now we even have a chance for flurries overnight. The colder temperatures don't bother me when they stay within a five or ten degree range. It's when they start going from 35 F to 67 F and the like that I begin to feel more hurt and stiffness when I wake up and often throughout the day. It seems like Fall as slipped away from us here in Indiana. I wonder where it's hiding. Hopefully there will be a few more warmer days before Winter truly hits the area. I'm not looking forward to the "s" word. Lol, I mean snow. Geez.

Today is a slow day for me, meaning I'm moving slower than usual. I've been really good about trying to get myself set in a bit of a routine so that I will feel better about myself in many areas. I've gotten to the point now where I make sure to have a small list of things done each day. Though some of them may seem routine for a lot of people, it's actually a challenge for me some days to even just make sure that I brush my teeth and put my hair in a ponytail or barrette. Chris is helping me by reminding me every so often to do some things. It's kinda like being a kid again, but I need this small bit of structure to help me achieve some of the goals that I have set for myself. Speaking of goals, I'm slowling nearing my reading goal with each book. Lol, I have begun reading book #56 and hope to have a few more done before the end of the month. I know that I won't be able to read very many during November but I'm going to try and read a bit each day even with the NaNoWriMo thing going on as well.

We had something strange happen last night. Around midnight, a lady knocked on our door and told Chris and I that her car had broken down. She couldn't get it started and lived in a town quite a bit of distance from our own. She had made arrangements for a friend to pick her up after the friend's work shift ended around 7am. It was apparent that she needed a warm place until then. Chris and I were both weirded out but it was so cold, I wasn't going to let the poor woman freeze to death. We invited her in and let her sleep on the couch until about a quarter til 7am. It did seem odd but I can imagine her worried about freezing and having no where to go. Chris and I have always said that our house was a safe haven. Therefore we've gotten to prove it the last few months. Various animals have been coming to our yard and making themselves at home until we can contact owners or the Humane Society. Now we have humans doing the same. I wonder if it's some sort of test. Yes, I know we've got to be careful but I really didn't sense any harm in the woman staying.

The mother of an old friend passed away last Friday. Today was her viewing/funeral services. I had wanted to go and pay my respects. But with the excitement last night, a doggie who had a tummy ache and the shift in the weather, I am feeling just to stiff and in too much pain to make myself get ready to go. There hasn't been that much contact between myself and the old friend. I'm not sure he would want to be in contact with me. But nonetheless, I'm praying that his family receive comfort and strength in this time of need. Also, my friend, J, is still having a rough time battling health issues and trying to make things easy and comforting for those he loves also with health problems. I am keeping him and those with him in my thoughts and prayers. I hope everyone has a good day today. Smile and know that there's something thinking of you.

Love and blessings,
Kim

Health Headlines 10/23/06

Health-Care Workers Urged To Be Alert To Suicide Risk Amongst Cancer Patients ~> Click here.

Gene Therapy Research Switches Off Joint Inflammation; Switches On Genetic Process Of Joint Repair ~> Click here.

Cancer Stem Cells and Radiation Resistance Linked ~> Click here.

$52 Million To Lead Alzheimer's Disease Study Received By UCSD ~> Click here.

High Bread Intake Can Double Kidney Cancer Risk ~> Click here.

Estrogen Plays Both Sides On Alzheimer's ~> Click here.

Global Cancer Research Hub To Be Liverpool, UK ~> Click here.

Double Trouble For Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients: PLC-gamma-2 Regulates Osteoclastogenesis And B Cell Differentiation ~> Click here.

Study May Lead To New Treatments For Melanoma, Ovarian Cancer ~> Click here.

Cold....cold...cold

Wow, I think we've gone way past Fall and went on into Winter. Even though the sun is shining without clouds to hinder it, the temperature is still cold. I checked the temperature last night and it had dipped down into the lower 30's. Let me tell you, Dudley didn't stay outside very long when he had to go out to read his "pee-mail", as Chris calls it. When I stepped outside to let him back in, I could see my breath in the air. I've told Chris before that I thought we were going to get snow before Halloween. With the possible forecasts we've had in these parts, it just might come true. I don't really want it to, but I don't control Mother Nature either.

Chris is feeling almost as stiff in his joints as I have been these past few weeks. I hope that he's able to shake it off and nothing comes of it but a few days of discomfort. The poor guy's been through a lot in the past few years and I don't think he can handle anymore. I just want him to be well for a little while and not have to worry over things. He deserves that much. With all the health problems and family troubles, he's not had time to stop and just do something fun and for himself. It makes me feel horrible when I have to ask him for help when I know he needs to just do something to relax like play a computer game or just spend time online doing whatever.

I get to go see my rheumatologist on Halloween. Lol, I wonder if they will dress up at the office. That would be kinda neat and interesting in my opinion. I'm really going to talk with him about doing something for the arthritis. The Salsalate is hurting my stomach whenever I take it and I'm worried that it's causing some sort of internal stuff. It helps with me being able to move but I think the cons outweigh the pros in this situation. So we'll have to see what else is available for me. There may be nothing and we'll have to take our chances with the Enbrel once again. I know that it was one of two medications that I had been on that could have increased my chances of having a blood clot. Then again my family medical history is filled with people who get blood clots. But the doctor doesn't want to take the chance that the Enbrel was the cause of the blood clot and therefore will cause another one. While I respect that concern for my health and safety, it's gotten to the point where either he does something with a medication to help my arthritis or something to help me deal with the pain. I cannot live like this any longer. It's just not a good way to live.

Today, with the sun shining, I'm going to spend sometime with my stories out on the front porch. I have a couple of letters that I need to write to people as well. I love doing that, sending old fashioned snail mail. There's just something special about getting something in the mail. It makes people happy to get something besides bills. Lol, at least I hope it makes them happy. At any rate, I'm also going to be working on getting this next book finished. I am trying to read a few more before the end of the month since I know that my November is going to be hectic. Well, more hectic than the other 11 months out of the year. I've been working on getting myself on a scheduled for NaNoWriMo. I started working on my crochet again over the past couple of days to try and keep my hands limber so that I can keep writing. I've only got about 78 and 1/2 rows to stitch before the afghan is finished. Lol, and no, I'm not going to take it apart to do it over again. I'm trying to get it finished before Winter fully hits. I can verify that it's really warm. Well, I'm off to get some work done. Hope everyone is having a good day or evening, whatever it may be where you are. Take care of yourselves and remember that you're loved.

Love and blessings,
Kim

Health Headlines 10/21/06

About 700,000 People Each Year Seek Care In Emergency Departments For Adverse Supplement And Drug Reactions, Study Says ~> Click here.

FDA Approves AstraZeneca's SEROQUEL(R) For Bipolar Depression Treatment ~> Click here.

Lilly Launches Phase III 'GALES' Trial Of ALIMTA(R) (Pemetrexed For Injection) In Small Cell Lung Cancer ~> Click here.

Research Could Lead To Major Breakthrough In The Cost Of Effective New Cancer Drug ~> Click here.

Relaxin Expression By Adenovirus Improves Anticancer Activity ~> Click here.

Widely Prescribed Diabetes Drug Falls Short Of Promise, Says New Review ~> Click here.

New Alzheimer's Clinical Trials To Be Undertaken By NIA Nationwide Consortium, US ~> Click here.

Still tired

I'm still working on getting things caught up from being away from the net for over a week. It's hard to get back into the groove of things. Plus I'm trying to get myself set up and in a disciplined mode so I can participate in NaNoWriMo without the fuss I had last year. So far so good to be honest.

I was right yesterday. Lol, Chris did forget to get his bloodwork done. I called the Cancer Center early this afternoon to see if it would be okay for him to get the bloodwork done tomorrow before he goes into work. There didn't seem to be an problem with him doing that so I need to tell him when he gets home from work. I feel really horrible that he went into work today. He woke up in a lot of pain with his back again. I'm not too sure what's going on but I know that I had muscle cramps myself overnight. I think maybe that's what happened with him as well due to how he described the pain and stiffness to me. I was really frustrated because I know that he doesn't have much of a choice. Either he goes to work and gets paid for his work so we can afford the necessities or we do without a house, car and other things. It really makes me angry at times at myself that I can't do more. Maybe, just maybe, one of the stories or novels I have written will take off and I'll be able to repay him for all the pain and trouble I've caused him.

I have so many ideas going through my head for stories. I've written them all down in a little notebook where I can pick on them later. More than likely I'm going to have to look into getting one of those programs where you speak and the software types for me. We'll have to see at some point. I'm being stubborn in not wanting to use it, I know. But that's my right to not give up on keeping some sense of being able to functions as others do. Work is coming along on my stories though. I've been able to work on the stories for about 15-20 minutes at a time. Still, I feel better doing it than doing nothing at all. I'm itching to start on my NaNoWriMo project. I can't wait for it to get here.

I'm off to rest my hands for now. Take care of yourselves out there. Don't forget to tell someone you love them. It's always nice to hear it.

Love and blessings,
Kim

Health Headlines 10/20/06

Case Western Reserve University Licenses Methoxyamine To Tracon: New Therapy Reverses Resistance To Chemotherapy ~> Click here.

Link Between High Cholesterol And Alzheimer's Discovered By MUSC Researchers ~> Click here.

La Jolla Limited Withdraws Its Marketing Authorisation Application For Riquent To Treat Lupus Nuphritis ~> Click here.

Research Sheds Light On How Brain Injury Leads To Seizures, Memory Problems ~> Click here.

Taxotere(R) Receives U.S. FDA Approval For The Treatment Of Patients With Head And Neck Cancer ~> Click here.

FDA Approves Merck's Januvia ~> Click here.

EMEA Announcement On The Cardiovascular Safety Of Non-selective Non-steroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (long Term Use Only - Including Ibuprofen) ~> Click here.

Fatty Fish Consumption Associated With Decreased Risk Of Renal Cancer In Women ~> Click here.

On my way back...

Still a bit on the tired and tender side of things. I'm just taking it one day at a time. This is the perfect time for me to practice for my NaNoWriMo competition coming up next month. This really is exciting to me because it's given me something to look forward to. I have finally came up with the idea for what I'm going to write about next month. According to the rules (which is basically a big honor's system way of things), I can't begin one word of the novel until November 1st and that's fine with me. After double checking the rules and several FAQs, I was happy to see that I could write down the idea as well as a partial outline so that I can have a refresher when the time comes. I so can't wait. I even called up the local paper and let them know about it. Lol, I highly doubt that anything will come of it. However, if they call and ask questions, I will answer them.

Other ordinary, everyday things have been going okay around here. Chris is still getting better with each day. He was to have some bloodwork done today because the oncologist found his white blood cell count to be elevated last month. I bet five bucks that he forgot to get the blood drawn today. My brother, Billy, was in the hospital for a few days because he had caught pneumonia. At least this time around he didn't have to go into the Intensive Care Unit. The weahter here hasn't been the best for those of us with auto-immune diseases or lowered immune systems. He's currently at home and getting better. My youngest brother, Andy, had an awesome match at the end of September. When I feel a bit better myself, I will upload those photos of his match and put some here. He is currently setting aside some of his wrestling time to take care of other responsibilities. I will have to say that this match was one of the best one's have seen in a long while. Of course, my health and other life events have kept me from most of his matches. I am really proud that he has been so focused on getting healither, slimmer and more intuned with his passion, wrestling. I wish him all the best when he gets back to it after taking care of business for a while.

As for me, I'm plugging along. Still working on several things when I get a chance. In the past couple of weeks, I have been focusing on my reading goal and working on some of my stories. I made a promise to a great friend of mine that I would revise my novel and send him some of it. So I'm steadily working my way through the novel. Currently, I have been seeing the need to rewrite a few scenes to make it more believable and to be able to flow better. I'm still working on two others at the same time. Lol, talk about hard to keep them straight sometimes. I haven't been able to find a way to finish one before starting another. As far as my reading goal, I've read clost to 55 books so far. Still have a long ways to go and with some limitations on my time in the upcoming months, I'm sure that I'll come close to my goal but I don't know if I'll reach it. We'll see.

I must say thanks to those of you who have left me some wonderful comments. They definitely made my day and made me feel as though I wasn't forget. As did the emails I have received. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for those. I hope this day and every day to come will be a great one for you all. Take care and remember to smile.

Love and blessings,
Kim

Health Headlines 10/19/06

New Clues To Cancer Provided By Algae ~> Click here.

Cancer Patients In Southeast Ireland Gain Access To Most Advanced Radiotherapy Treatments With Opening Of Varian-Equipped Center ~> Click here.

New Hope For Children When Leukemia Treatment Fails ~> Click here.

U.S. Food And Drug Administration Approves ARICEPT(R) For Treatment Of Severe Alzheimer's Disease ~> Click here.

At Least One In Four Hardened Smokers Will Develop Progressive Lung Disease (COPD) ~> Click here.

Vitamin D May Help Curb Breast Cancer Progression ~> Click here.

Arthritis Self-management Does Not Reduce Pain Levels Or GP Visits, UK ~> Click here.

FDA Approves Novel Diabetes Type 2 Drug ~> Click here.

Mayo Discovers Protein As Potential Tactic To Prevent Tumors ~> Click here.

Prolonged Arthritis Relief Anticipated From New Engineered Drug ~> Click here.

Leave of absence

Things are complicated here at the moment. Pain and stiffness is really overwhelming me to the point where I'm going to have to stop posting for a while longer. I realize that so much has happened since the last time I posted, but I have no control over what the weather does. Right now we are waiting on the first bitter arctic cold front to come through the state tonight. I'm going to be continuing to work on my writing and reading while I'm away from the internet. Hope things will go well with you all.

Love and blessings,
Kim