Thursday, August 10, 2006
Lupus and T-Cells
Okay.
I know.
I know.
Stem cell research is a very controversial subject. There are uproars on both sides of the movement. I don't want to get into that discussion.
I just wanted to share this.
I heard on the news today that they are successfully able to grow T- cells and I am so excited about that. T-cells are what boost your immune system and help you fight disease.
For those of us with auto-immune diseases which include lupus, ms, cancer, aids and many others ... this is wonderful news. It means that not only might my chronic pain be relieved and my infections prevented ... but it might even pose a cure for lupus. It would help with my pleurisy, my asthma ... what a joyous day it would be to be able to go back to doing all of the things that I used to enjoy doing and being able to not be in pain all of the time.
hooray!
They said that it will be ten more years before they are able to begin treating humans.
I will be 49.
You know what? I will still have a lot of life to live.
I'm sitting here crying right now because I am so happy. I've always been frustrated because lupus is not a very public disease. There's not a lot of attention given to it. Not a lot of "big" research going on for it like there are for some of the others. I've just always had to remind myself that when they find something to help just one ... it will filter down to all of us who are just waiting. That one will help the other. You know what I mean? Be patient. Stay positive. Just keep believing that someone somewhere is doing something that will lead to answers and relief for all of us who are waiting.
My lupus went from almost killing me to remission and then to a mild activity. My mother's big fear is that all of this music I'm playing is going to cause me to be sick again. I understand hers and others reasons for this concern. However, getting out and doing stuff is what keeps me going. Especially the music.
I love to walk outdoors. I like to go to state parks and explore. The next time I'm out walking there will be a lighter bounce to my step because I know it won't be long until someone is able to help me.
Me.
I am so happy for everyone who is waiting and I am especially happy for me.
It's a day to smile ... as soon as I'm finished crying! (wink wink)
I know.
I know.
Stem cell research is a very controversial subject. There are uproars on both sides of the movement. I don't want to get into that discussion.
I just wanted to share this.
I heard on the news today that they are successfully able to grow T- cells and I am so excited about that. T-cells are what boost your immune system and help you fight disease.
For those of us with auto-immune diseases which include lupus, ms, cancer, aids and many others ... this is wonderful news. It means that not only might my chronic pain be relieved and my infections prevented ... but it might even pose a cure for lupus. It would help with my pleurisy, my asthma ... what a joyous day it would be to be able to go back to doing all of the things that I used to enjoy doing and being able to not be in pain all of the time.
hooray!
They said that it will be ten more years before they are able to begin treating humans.
I will be 49.
You know what? I will still have a lot of life to live.
I'm sitting here crying right now because I am so happy. I've always been frustrated because lupus is not a very public disease. There's not a lot of attention given to it. Not a lot of "big" research going on for it like there are for some of the others. I've just always had to remind myself that when they find something to help just one ... it will filter down to all of us who are just waiting. That one will help the other. You know what I mean? Be patient. Stay positive. Just keep believing that someone somewhere is doing something that will lead to answers and relief for all of us who are waiting.
My lupus went from almost killing me to remission and then to a mild activity. My mother's big fear is that all of this music I'm playing is going to cause me to be sick again. I understand hers and others reasons for this concern. However, getting out and doing stuff is what keeps me going. Especially the music.
I love to walk outdoors. I like to go to state parks and explore. The next time I'm out walking there will be a lighter bounce to my step because I know it won't be long until someone is able to help me.
Me.
I am so happy for everyone who is waiting and I am especially happy for me.
It's a day to smile ... as soon as I'm finished crying! (wink wink)
Comments:
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I shed a tear with you. At one time when they were trying to find out what was wrong with me lupus came up and I contacted the lupus support group - they were very helpful. I am a firm beliver in stem cell research - it is only the unbilicord that is used as I understand it so what is the big deal? I have missed blogging lately because of not feeling well myself and having to have the phone free for my room mate. I am going to up date his condition on my blog.
I learned today that if I had a microphone I can talk to people over the computer - I have to look into it some more but wounldn't it be nice if I could hear you music. Just you talking about it gets my toes a tapping. So what makes you feel good. I know your mother is concerned but like my mother who worries about me we have to do what makes us happy.
I learned today that if I had a microphone I can talk to people over the computer - I have to look into it some more but wounldn't it be nice if I could hear you music. Just you talking about it gets my toes a tapping. So what makes you feel good. I know your mother is concerned but like my mother who worries about me we have to do what makes us happy.
In deed I love the human spirit. It's the one reason I get up in the morning. Your post was inspiring.
On June 1st I woke to find that I was going blind in my left eye. The doctors thought lupus or ms. After MRI, X-rays, spinal tap... They've found nothing and my vision is slowly coming back.
I am finding more and more of my friends are being diagnosed with Lupus and MS. Given that fact, it's strange that it hasn't gained as much attention as other diseases.
So I celebrate with you!
On June 1st I woke to find that I was going blind in my left eye. The doctors thought lupus or ms. After MRI, X-rays, spinal tap... They've found nothing and my vision is slowly coming back.
I am finding more and more of my friends are being diagnosed with Lupus and MS. Given that fact, it's strange that it hasn't gained as much attention as other diseases.
So I celebrate with you!
This is wonderful. A event to celebrate. I like your outlook on life. I also think getting out and doing stuff often keeps us thriving more than anything else we do for ourselves.
I am so happy that a cure looks to be in your future. I'm not against stem cell research either and I've also heard that you can use the umbilical cord. If we only knew we could all have had all the umbilical cords saved from our babies instead of being discarded.
I was really inspired by reading your post and I feel like I have come to know and understand you better.
doubleknot...I used my microphone and had a one way conversation with my daughter using Windows Messenger. I talked to her and she typed back to me using the instant messenger. We abandoned the idea and went back to typing...it's easier.
I was really inspired by reading your post and I feel like I have come to know and understand you better.
doubleknot...I used my microphone and had a one way conversation with my daughter using Windows Messenger. I talked to her and she typed back to me using the instant messenger. We abandoned the idea and went back to typing...it's easier.
Ava! You matter. Your music matters. Your disease matters. Your beautiful heart and soul MATTERS. And any small thing (or big thing like such a cool scientific discovery) that shows you how much you matter - is something to be celebrated!!!
Joyful tears for you! You matter to me :)
Joyful tears for you! You matter to me :)
Another tear falls, and crytalizes upon my cheek...
Dear Ava,, wonderful news for everyone suffering diseases!!
and I have to side with you a bit, on remaining active....
I admire your courage and strength, to live life to the fullest, and that is also to include your passions of life.. your music..
and, of course we know, YOU know, when to slow down....
This is something to look forward to Ava... enjoy the moment of it!!
North
Dear Ava,, wonderful news for everyone suffering diseases!!
and I have to side with you a bit, on remaining active....
I admire your courage and strength, to live life to the fullest, and that is also to include your passions of life.. your music..
and, of course we know, YOU know, when to slow down....
This is something to look forward to Ava... enjoy the moment of it!!
North
# posted by 
: 7:30 PM
: 7:30 PM
Dear Ava ~~ Wonderful news and I hope they hurry it up a bit. You do such a lot of teaching and playing your music
I have also read all the article on the lovely little fallow deer, and it was so interesting. Thank you for doing that research and sharing with us. Thanks for your comment. My hair
looks so much better that I feel a lot
better. Take care, my friend, Hugs,
Merle. Tears of joy for you.
I have also read all the article on the lovely little fallow deer, and it was so interesting. Thank you for doing that research and sharing with us. Thanks for your comment. My hair
looks so much better that I feel a lot
better. Take care, my friend, Hugs,
Merle. Tears of joy for you.
I had some tests done and they thought it was lupus. It turned out to be Celiac disease, but still a disease of the inmune system. I have suffered from it pretty severely all my life, but once I was diagnosed about 1 1/2 year ago, I was able to make adjustments in my daily life and live a better life. I hope this works sooner than later for people who suffer from these illnesses, like you.
Miss Nikki Ann,
I am so glad that your vision is coming back. How frustrating that they couldn't figure out what was causing it.
Thank you for your kind words and for celebrating with me.
I am so glad that your vision is coming back. How frustrating that they couldn't figure out what was causing it.
Thank you for your kind words and for celebrating with me.
Tim,
Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly is an event to celebrate. Getting out and about is what keeps me going. I've discovered that when needed, a short nap is perfect!
Thank you so much for your kind words. It truly is an event to celebrate. Getting out and about is what keeps me going. I've discovered that when needed, a short nap is perfect!
Gracie,
What a sweetheart you are! Thank you so much for being who you are and writing such beautiful and inspiring things on your blog.
You also matter. You all do.
What a sweetheart you are! Thank you so much for being who you are and writing such beautiful and inspiring things on your blog.
You also matter. You all do.
North,
Thank you so much. Thank you for your encouragement. Know that my heart is with you in your transition. You are an inspiration!
Thank you so much. Thank you for your encouragement. Know that my heart is with you in your transition. You are an inspiration!
Merle,
I also hope they hurry it up a bit!
Thank you for the compliment on the Fallow Deer article. I had a lot of fun doing it and learned so much.
I also hope they hurry it up a bit!
Thank you for the compliment on the Fallow Deer article. I had a lot of fun doing it and learned so much.
Tanginika,
I am not familiar with Celiac disease, but will look it up to see what it is. I hope that this research will help you also. Thank you for your words of encouragement ... and for dancing. You got me started dancing again ... everyday ... twice a day ... morning and night. Boy does it feel good!
I am not familiar with Celiac disease, but will look it up to see what it is. I hope that this research will help you also. Thank you for your words of encouragement ... and for dancing. You got me started dancing again ... everyday ... twice a day ... morning and night. Boy does it feel good!
Lupus is better known than it once was but there still isn't nearly enough done for it.
I wish you well. Sometimes I wonder how you keep going and going and going.
Are you kin to the Energizer Bunny?
I wish you well. Sometimes I wonder how you keep going and going and going.
Are you kin to the Energizer Bunny?
There may even be help sooner than that. Sometimes researchers find a drug that works for one thing and then is found out to work for another. Since the drug has already been tested for safety, doctors can use it immediately. This has happened with other illnesses besides lulus, so I'm just saying a cure could be just around the corner.
I think it is great that you continue to find joy in life. Good for you.
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I think it is great that you continue to find joy in life. Good for you.
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