hiya

Veronica · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:37 am Post subject: hiya

Wow have you ever been so overwhelmed you don't know where to start? Let me see if I can find a place to try and start. I was diagnosed with Lupus in 94 and was sick for over a year. I had a flare in 2000 but til now I was blessedly in remission. I started nursing school in January of 2008, my mother had a massive stroke at the end of the month, passed away in February and within two weeks of Mom passing her sister and mom, my aunt and grandmother passed away as well. I guess stress might have brought on this latest flare. I went to the doc a month ago when I got back from vacation with what I thought was the flu. She noticed the lesions on the side of my face, I mentioned the lupus and we did a biopsy. After fully expecting to get the confirmation of it being lupus I was blown away when she told me I had basal cell carcinoma. After picking myself up from the floor from the shock, I went and saw a specialist. He in turn did two more biopsies and I am now dealing with both a lupus flare and skin cancer. I don't know if this is full blown SLE flare or can I have a dle flare without the SLE I was diagnosed with back in the day? Has this ever happened to anyone else? I am going to be put on steroids, an antimalarial and they are discussing topical chemotherapy....I am sorry to be rambling but I am so overwhelmed from all this I don't know where to begin. I am so tired, my joints ache, fevers, I can't seem to hold a thought together for more than a split second.....thanks for listening....

Saysusie · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 6:48 am Post subject:

Hi Veronica;
Welcome to our family. I have not dealt with carcinoma myself, perhaps someone else has and will be able to give you some information.
You are correct in saying that stress can certainly bring Lupus out of remission and can cause a flare. We are often told that we must find ways to reduce and/or eliminate our stress; this is always much easier said than done, but a necessity none-the-less. I hope that, with your medications, you are able to get some relief from your symptoms. You have come to the right place to find people who truly understand and who want only to help in any way that we can.
Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

KathyW1958 · Tiger Joined: 12 Jun 2008 Posts: 810

Hi Veronica
Welcome to the site. I am so sorry to hear about all that has been happening with you. I have never had to deal with cancer, so I don't know much about that. I hope that you can get better from all of these problems. I will keep you in my prayers. God Bless.

Kathy
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Lupus for many years. Like most of my life. Sjogrens that started at 35 and Scoliosis, Spinal Stenosis, Degenerative Disc Disease, Osteo-Arthritis of the spine, Ankylosing Spondilitis, Periferal Neuropathy, mild CP and now just recently diagnosed with PA. I had a disc replaced in December of 2007.

Medications:
Plaquenil, Sulindac, Imuran, Celiac diet, Tramadol and B12 shot once a month.

sits_inthe_corner · Posted: Mon Jun 30, 2008 8:53 am Post subject:

Welcome Veronica

We all ramble here...this is a ramble friendly site Laughing

and sounds like you have a very full plate.

I'm a mess ... not at all sorted out, and beginning to wonder if I ever will be. This is a wonderful supportive site.

Just wanted to add my welcome Smile

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Oh look ... a cookie

scarednewmom · Tadpole Joined: 25 Jun 2008 Posts: 20

Honey I can just about imagine how you feel right now! I have not been quite diagnosed with lupus but just having a positive Ana and sed rate at 23 and hair loss makes me scared and in tears all day! I know I can't relate as far as cancer but to give you any hope my dad had cancer 3 times and to this day is in remission! I do know with all of our medication advances you can get better! Just remember stress is feeding your diseases! So think of having fun and relaxing as part of the medication to become cancer free and put that dang lupus back in remission! You are way too good to let these overcome you... Try journaling to let your stress out. Or you can always come here! I am here almost 24 7....this website is my comfort zone it makes me feel better to read and know I am not alone! Together we are a family going through the same things and when one falls we are all here to help you up! Vice versa! Love and prayers Veronica!

Veronica · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:52 am Post subject: THanks

Thank you all for the warm welcome....I greatly appreciate it Smile

This can all be so overwhelming and to know there are many out there who are going through what you are going through is disheartening....

Veronica · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 3:54 am Post subject: not disheartening

LOL sorry I put the wrong word in my reply...of course it is NOT disheartening to know there are others out there who are going through what i am going through...I feel comforted knowing you are out there....thanks again....

Saysusie · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 10:34 am Post subject:

No problem and, of course, we all understood what you meant! Laughing

Peace and Blessings
Saysusie
_________________
Look For The Good and Praise It!

laurid8967 · Posted: Tue Jul 01, 2008 1:26 pm Post subject:

Hi Veronica and welcome!!
You truly have your "work" cut out for you at this time!! Im sorry to hear of your difficulties...One thing to be grateful for: At least right now your doctors are on the ball...Many docs, I believe, would have chalked up your lesions to lupus and left it at that...Thank God they found the cancer early...always a much better prognosis, etc..
You have found a wonderful place here to share your story, learn about your illness from incredibly knowledgable people, and just vent your frustrations to those who know exactly what you are going through....
Good luck with your treatment and keep us posted!!
lauri
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God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
The courage to change the things I can,
And the wisdom to know the difference...