Happy Thanksgiving; General Update
So hey. No page this week. Between the holiday and my ongoing health stuff, which I’ve really only been talking about with Twitter and with Patreon and Drip supporters, I didn’t make time. Patrons and Drip supporters finally got new Cutter and Ironwood by way of apology; you just get a vague explanation about that health stuff:
This past week I saw a neurologist re: worsening numbness and pain in my hands, arms, neck, back and head. I had a kind of painful? EMG of most of my body, which showed nothing. Bloodwork he ordered, however, showed I have very high/positive ANA (antinuclear antibodies) and a very high sed rate, which, along with my worsening symptoms, point to an autoimmune disease like lupus or MS. I have an appointment with a rheumatologist who can hopefully make more of a determination but it isn’t until December 4.
It’s been really difficult to sit and work with my tingling, painful back, neck and head and stupid numb fingers, and it depresses me immensely, so I can’t make definite statements about my output in the immediate future. I have to try to do my son’s birthday party as normal, along with Christmas, while trying to figure out what’s wrong with me and if there’s anything to be done to make it less bad. I’ll do my best, but no promises.
Happy Holidays.
Health and family come first. Work comes second. At least you are getting it looked at early. Knowledge is power.
Ditto on Jerome’s comment, Erin. God bless.
Take care of your health. Hope they find the cause, and that they can do something to cure or ease it.
The good news is that while neither option is curable, they both have treatments that can greatly improve your quality of life. Finally being able to put a name to what’s wrong with you also helps a lot with your mental health. Knowing that it’s most definitely not just in your head, and it’s all real can be a huge relief all in itself.
Do what you need to for your health, we’re all rooting for you!
It’s never lupus.
In all seriousness; Good luck. I hope they find the cause and can treat it.
Best to you Erin- We are here to cheer you on!
Take your time. Do what you need to to feel better. Spend time with family – there’s nothing more valuable to spend your time on. And when you feel up to it, we’ll be here.
After all, we can’t all be a semi-undead antihero with limitless reserves of energy and the ability to ignore pain and lethal wounds… most of us have to actually rest sometimes. 🙂
What Piripero said. That’s what I wish I’d written myself.
Goodness, all of my favorite people are ill. Take time and do as you need for you and your family.
Best of luck, Erin. Take care of yourself and your family first, I’ll be rooting for you.
Do what you need to do, and to echo previous commentors, Health and Family come first!
Hugs and concern from me!
That sucks. My brother has similar issues with what we are pretty certain is an autoimmune disorder (plus MS runs in my family), and it took years for him to find a doc who took his pain seriously (he had gotten to a point where he could hardly walk without pain, which was discouraging for someone who used to run on the daily).
Chronic inflammation can cause autoimmune issues. If it’s not genetically linked or tied to a prior injury or prescription imbalances, I would look into eating healthier (i.e., low carb, high omega-3, vit D suppl or multivitamin) and finding time in the week for making your body feel good (weightlifting, yoga, stretching, tai chi, etc.). Better diet and flexing your joints reduces inflammation and prevents most modern diseases. In any case, good luck and feel better!
I hope it is not out of line to say I will pray for you. This is most sad news Erin, and I am sorry to hear this. I didn’t know. I love your work, always have. You rest and take care of yourself, and your family. I hope your holidays will be happy. God speed, and bless you Erin.