I just read this thread again to remind myself of how lucky I am to still be here able to celebrate my life as it is and to enjoy the challenges my health issues bring me. I'm not sure where to post an update since I also have another thread along these lines.
I was diagnosed in 2010 so it is going on 7 years soon. It took me about a year to reach a drug induced remission but I have been very fortunate to have remained in this status except for some mini flares. Some times were uncomfortable and required extra treatment, usually for infections. Feeling sick for a few weeks is no fun but much better than being in hospital for months.
I am down to annual visits at Mayo for their longitudinal study on treating GPA. My degree of recovery from near death and length of remission is considered rather remarkable since most people flare in the first year or two after their initial treatment. I have damage from the Wegs and diabetes that require frequent on going maintenance and follow up care so spend much of my life going and doing various medical treatments. Dental problems have been especially frequent which relates to my two main illnesses and the treatment I need for for both. I had another root canal last month due to infected tooth.
I have been lucky so far this winter in avoiding the flu, bronchitis, or sinus infections since the last two happened most winters. I think that keeping the humidity higher with a humidifier, using generic Mucinex and frequent sinus rinses has helped with this. I have cut down my monthly labs to every six weeks and will soon go to every other month. I must have labs every three months and see an endocrinologist in order to get my diabetic supplies. And some other doctors also require them for their annual review so I will need at least six per year but that sure beats the weekly ones in the nursing home or daily ones in the ICU.
I was housebound much of last year with a broken ankle and need to use a knee scooter to avoid bearing any weight on that foot as it took several months to heal. The slow healing relates to my illnesses, meds, and age but the ankle did seem to heal without needing any surgery to repair it so that was lucky for me.
I have never met anyone on this forum in person but feel I have "met" some great people through this forum that have been very helpful to me and others. I really appreciate the effort Andrew and Vaughn put in to make this possible. And the people who take the time to post their comments and share their wisdom and supportive encouragement.
I think there is now more awareness and better treatment regimes than even a few years ago but we all remember the stress and anxiety that comes with being diagnosed with a strange illness we never even heard of. So here we can all help others and each other other through these difficult times.
Happy Valentine Days and celebrate your life however it may be today since life is for the living. And we are still here. Remember our many good friends from here who aren't so to honor them have a good day.