SpaceflightAddict
10-23-2015, 07:15 AM
Good Afternoon Everyone!
I apologize for my lack of updates the past year and a half.
I know that I have missed some events on the board, but I have been checking in on everyone every once in a while. I gotta make sure my Weg's family is hanging in there ;)
Alysia, if you are reading this, I want you to know what a huge impact Phil had on my life in the short time I knew him. He will forever in my heart be the man that saved me from a lifetime of sinus trouble, and that is one of the greatest gifts a Weggie can receive. I am sure that myself and many others here will promote his sinus health rituals for years to come, and I hope to one day be able to help someone else as much as Phil helped me. I never got the chance to thank him for what he gave to me, but I can still thank you for being there with him in his time of need.
Health wise, I am doing excellent.
There has not been a trace of disease activity in over a year; no crusting, no bleeding, and no pain. Just the occasional sore throat from my disfigured sinuses dripping down my throat.
I tapered completely off of prednisone around six months ago without issue, and stopped the Methotrexate and Bactrim 3 months ago. I am now medication free.
I got the first blood work back after stopping all medications a couple of weeks ago, and they were totally normal, no elevated inflammation markers anywhere.
I have even managed to lose ALL of my prednisone chub, and then some. When I was diagnosed, I weighed 185 pounds; at my peak a year and a half ago I was at 245; today, I am down to 175, and have been for a while now.
Life has returned to normal for me... I may even be busier than I was before diagnosis. I think I may even be healthier than I was before Wegener's. I have not smoked a cigarette in over two years now, and have not drank for almost as long. Before Wegener's I could walk up mountains without getting winded, and now I can run right up the side of them.
I am a happier and healthier person than I was before this disease came into my life..
I have a message for any young person that comes across this: Wegener's is not a condemnation of your life. I was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 27, and in very bad shape. I was very scared, and very uncertain of my future. I had a choice to make. I could either let the Wegener's control and guide my life, or I could take it as a challenge; something to be overcome and defeated.
I chose to take on this challenge. The battle has gone well so far, but I remain aware that Wegener's is an insidious enemy, and if given the opportunity will attack while your back is turned.
I apologize for my lack of updates the past year and a half.
I know that I have missed some events on the board, but I have been checking in on everyone every once in a while. I gotta make sure my Weg's family is hanging in there ;)
Alysia, if you are reading this, I want you to know what a huge impact Phil had on my life in the short time I knew him. He will forever in my heart be the man that saved me from a lifetime of sinus trouble, and that is one of the greatest gifts a Weggie can receive. I am sure that myself and many others here will promote his sinus health rituals for years to come, and I hope to one day be able to help someone else as much as Phil helped me. I never got the chance to thank him for what he gave to me, but I can still thank you for being there with him in his time of need.
Health wise, I am doing excellent.
There has not been a trace of disease activity in over a year; no crusting, no bleeding, and no pain. Just the occasional sore throat from my disfigured sinuses dripping down my throat.
I tapered completely off of prednisone around six months ago without issue, and stopped the Methotrexate and Bactrim 3 months ago. I am now medication free.
I got the first blood work back after stopping all medications a couple of weeks ago, and they were totally normal, no elevated inflammation markers anywhere.
I have even managed to lose ALL of my prednisone chub, and then some. When I was diagnosed, I weighed 185 pounds; at my peak a year and a half ago I was at 245; today, I am down to 175, and have been for a while now.
Life has returned to normal for me... I may even be busier than I was before diagnosis. I think I may even be healthier than I was before Wegener's. I have not smoked a cigarette in over two years now, and have not drank for almost as long. Before Wegener's I could walk up mountains without getting winded, and now I can run right up the side of them.
I am a happier and healthier person than I was before this disease came into my life..
I have a message for any young person that comes across this: Wegener's is not a condemnation of your life. I was diagnosed with this disease at the age of 27, and in very bad shape. I was very scared, and very uncertain of my future. I had a choice to make. I could either let the Wegener's control and guide my life, or I could take it as a challenge; something to be overcome and defeated.
I chose to take on this challenge. The battle has gone well so far, but I remain aware that Wegener's is an insidious enemy, and if given the opportunity will attack while your back is turned.