medication

Well I guess I knew that it would come to this I just hope it works. My rheumatologist put me on some medication called minocycline yesterday after seeing my swollen hands and feet. He didn't want things to get worse and didn't want any more damage to occur. Minocycline is an antibiotic that is used to kill bacteria that causes the inflamation in my body. It is supposed to be the most mild and with the least amount of toxicity. He said it could take up to two months to see or feel results. I know I still need to eat well, exercise a lot and hope this works for me and is all I need to take.

farm

Went to the Kensington petting zoo last week and the girls loved it. Leah really loved seeing the baby pigs, baby sheep and cows. She got to pet a baby pig and a cow. Everyday since then Leah says farm and I know she wants to go back to the petting farm. Its a good thing i got a yearly pass to Kensington.

In this picture she just got to pet a little baby pig and this was her reaction !

Sadie and Grandma

still sick

Leah is still sick and Sadie is finally better after her long very, very mild virus. Leah has an ear infection and threw up the amoxocillin last night. I am very hesitant on trying again. we did this one year ago during her last ear infection. Two antibiotics and then shots because she couldnt keep any of it down. Lets hope we dont have to do that again.
I am feeling a little better each day. I upped my fish oil and am taking wobenzym daily and eating pretty good so hopefully it just gets better from here.

sick

today both girls are sick although Sadie seems to be a lot better after her bath. They have slight fevers and wanted to lay around all day. Hope they are feeling better tomorrow.
My arthritis is the same. Lots of pain in the feet, achey, throbbing pain. My mom got me a foot massager from Costco so I am sure that will help me out and relax me at night when i need it most. Now i just need to get a chance to sit down and use it without the girls wanting a turn.

oh and here is a picture of Sadie's new shoes that she got for her birthday. She got them from Grandma and Grandpa Mueller.

RA

So i thought i would write a few things down because i am feeling hopeless lately. I just found out that my best friend from when i was little has RA also. I can't believe it. She said she had the exact same things going on with her body as i am right now. She has been on medication for over eight years and feels great. I don't want to go on medication because of the side effects it could have later in life and i really dont want to be giving myself shots. I could never do that. But there are time like now when i feel so hopeless and wonder how i would feel being on some type of medication.
I was feeling so great for over a year and then within the past two/three months i am feeling the pain again. Mostly in my fingers and feet. I do yoga and weight daily which help a lot to ease the pain and stiffness but it usually takes three to four hours each morning before i feel ok.

The diet thing has not been working to well and i really dont feel like it helps that much. I do my best but i know that is not good enough. If i could just give up that pop a day and the occasional quesadillas i might feel better but i really dont think so.
I am going to try again to up the supplements i am on hoping i feel some relief but i know it could take some time, maybe a month or two.
Thanks god for my cousin Jennifer who is a naturopath out in Portland Oregon for all of the great advice. I could never afford to go to my own naturopath. And thank god for my family and friends who put up with my complaining and for the wonderful advice they give me.
This has been a hard road but i know that i will have to deal with it for the rest of my life. Lets hope i can find something that works for me.

She is 5

Still can't believe Sadie is 5.

This year we decided to have two parties. A kid party then the adult/family party afterwards. They were both a lot of fun but lots of work. The kids got to decorate flowers, decorate cookies, play in the ball tent and hit the pinata. Of course Sadie's favorite part was when she got to open her presents. She got lots of great toys and even some cool clothes!

Easter fun

We had such a great Easter weekend and the weather was awesome. The fun started on Saturday with our Cottage Lane Easter egg hunt. They got to see the Easter bunny, collect eggs and play with their friends. Saturday night we went to my parents for a wonderful dinner cooked by my brother in law Tom. They did an egg hunt there and got some fun toys. Sunday was Easter and the Easter bunny was good to them. In the afternoon we went to the Gierlack's for dinner. Another egg hunt and lots of fun with 11 cousins!