Posts

Showing posts from 2017

living life to the fullest with AS

AS has my body, and NOT me! I usually end with this, but today It's going to be the beginning!!  I'm still dealing with the "healing process" from the anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.  I still struggle with the feeling of something in my throat!  I'm continually learning more and more about this horrible disease!  It would be much easier if it just affected one part of my body!!  NOPE!  Instead AS just continually gets more and more of me! Since my last post, we've had some exciting family events.  My youngest got married to a Coast Guardsman who we love!  This 2nd son in our family is a perfect addition.  Thankfully they aren't stationed too far away either!  I'm that mom that would love her family to just all live on the same property LOL!  The wedding was beautiful!  Thankfullly AS didn't rear it's ugly head until the day after--and when it did--WHOA!  Talk about the worst day EVERRRRRRR!  Literally thought I was going to die!  T

when your DR says, "you are making my brain hurt"

Image
The moment the ophthalmologist puts his hands on the side of his head and says, “you’re making my brain hurt”.   Have you ever had this happen while at the specialist for a recurring visit? I have!   AS is in my eyes! Living with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) has certainly been a challenge. When you’re diagnosed they really don’t tell you all that can happen.   Basically, they just tell you about the potential for spinal fusion.   They leave out that AS can damage every joint in your body!   They leave out that AS can affect your eyes, your heart, your lungs, can cause inflammation behind your vocal box (not fun for this singer) and yes, can cause death. Why is it that so much information isn’t shared when you’re diagnosed?   One reason is simply that some doctors aren’t fully aware of what AS is and does.   Another reason is there is too much old data and information out there.   And lastly, AS effects each person differently.   Autoimmune diseases are complicated and hard to di