Immune

A couple of months ago I started feeling a bit off. I was feeling very fatigued, grouchy, and a bit down. Then I started aching and waking up in the middle of the night stiff and in pain from my neck to my toes. Great. So I limped off to the doctor already pretty sure of what was up. Sure enough, after an 8 year hiatus my lupus symptoms are back and my antinuclear antibodies are elevated. And to top it off I have a pretty significant vitamin D deficiency (no surprise given this northern latitude and lack of winter sunlight). I am getting weekly D treatments and awaiting a referral to the rheumatologist. My hunch is that the vitamin D deficiency triggered my immune system to go nuts, hence the lupus flair-up. I have had to force myself to get out and do things, even ski or snowshoe. I am back to hot baths in the morning to get me going and hot bath at night to help with the pain. I changed my work schedule around to work 5 eight hour days instead of 4 ten hour days and no trips to the Tri-Cities. I could not hack it. On really bad days I come home at lunch and take a nap. I seem to have a bit less fatigue now than a few weeks ago but no real change in pain level. In addition I have to have hand surgery again to remove another calcification on an MCP joint. It is no big deal though. Last time I got some great pain meds and took out my own stitches.

I have done a bit. Nancy and I have done some short ski days, Walter and I went snowshoeing a couple of times, and on my 45th birthday in January we drove over to Lake CdA to watch the eagles and then go for a walk up Beauty Creek. We did not get to see any eagles flying but we could spot about 15 in the trees above Wolf Lodge Bay. That was cool. Walter is doing well. He had a pretty good check-up with Dr. Tammy but needs his teeth cleaned and is developing cataracts. He is only 7 so I am surprised about the cataracts. So here are some pictures of stuff we have done lately. Once I start feeling better I will be out running around more. The canoe is almost paid off and the lakes are melted. Walter can't wait. Good thing since the snow is starting to really melt in the mountains.

Skiing

I am totally into the whole Russian scarf thing now. Scarves are SO HANDY!!!!

Nancy in her fancy knickers and wild socks

Beauty Creek and Eagles

I was so amazed by the ice in the creek that I could not stop taking pictures (you should be able to click the picture and see a close-up)

There are four eagles in this picture. Honest.

Hiking/Snowshoeing

Nancy stripping down to the base layers because it was so warm. On this day the snow was so melted and packed we did not need our snowshoes

Bare ground at 4,000 feet

Poodle Parade

Tired boys on the way home