I haven’t gone anywhere, you guys. I created some videos, and a screencast, but the crazy weather has had me at best, very uncomfortable. So, the last few weeks I’ve slowed down considerably, especially since I’m trying not to take a Tramadol every time my arthritis or fibro pain flares up. I don’t like the way it makes me feel, but, you know, sometimes Aleve can’t bring the kind of relief I need. I hate all this cold, wet weather!

Just bear with me, guys. Thanks.

I recently found out that I fall within the income range to receive free medical care and prescriptions from Grady Hospital, so I let COBRA go. With the COBRA subsidy, I was spending close to $400 a month between premiums, doctor visits, and prescriptions. Without the subsidy, I’d pay around $650 a month. With Grady, I’ll pay nothing. I was SHOCKED to find this out, because I fully expected to contribute something to my health care costs. But, far be it for me to look a proverbial gift horse in the mouth.

I only had 6 months of COBRA eligibility left, anyway. The insurance company said at the end of the 18 month term I could convert to an individual policy, but with all my pre-existing conditions, I’m sure I would not have been able to afford their premium. And, even if I could, I’d be paying more for less coverage, have higher co-pays, and higher deductibles, etc. It’s in my best interest to get on with Grady. Yeah, I’ll have long waits to see the doctor and to pick up my meds, but a couple of good books and my iPod will help.

It’s 8:30 PM and I’m trying my best to make it to 10 PM. What I hadn’t been able to accomplish in the last 3 months, after a bad cold this past September got me off schedule, my holiday house guests accomplished in a week: getting my sleep cycle back on a normal schedule.

When I tell you that the first few days were HELL, please believe me, LOL. But, my cousin needed me and she had a very active and very verbal 23 month old in tow, so I did what I had to do. It sucked that as soon as I started feeling human again – as opposed to feeling like a sleep walking zombie – she had figured out her next move (the visit wasn’t 100% social) and was going back to South Carolina. But, I’m glad I was able to help her in her time of need. I told her, but I don’t think she really understands, how much she and her boys helped me get my sleep cycle back on track.

I got to go home to Greenville for about an hour on Christmas Eve. It’s a tradition, on my dad’s side, for everyone to gather for food and fellowship. Despite this year being cut short for me, I’m glad I was able to go – especially since my cousin Roland (backed up by his fiance) told me I looked healthier/better this Christmas than I did last year.

I had mentioned to him that I’d gone into remission from Lupus, and he said that he could tell that I was better, because last year my face was very swollen. I told him that this time last year I was on 3 immunosuppressants: Imuran (low dose chemotherapy in pill form), Plaquenil, and Prednisone, but now I was only on Prednisone, and was being stepped down off of it as we spoke. He and his fiance said they could definitely tell the difference over last Christmas. That was REALLY good to hear.

What’s more is that I think I lost a few pounds. This past week, I put on some jeans that I hadn’t worn in months – like I don’t remember the last time I wore them. But, what I do remember is that they were uncomfortably tight, especially around the waist. So, I hung them up and just let them be. But, this past week, I had relatives from out of town visiting and I needed to grab some pants quickly, so I pulled those jeans off the hanger and put them on. Not only were they now comfy again, but I actually had some slack in them. They were still form fitting (nothing can hide my badunkadunk), but I didn’t feel like I was stuffed into a sausage casing, which was how I felt the last time I wore them.

My next step is to start my long-awaited exercise regimen. My apartment complex has a 24/7 fitness center and I have an 8 gig iPod Nano to ease the pain, LOL. I was just waiting for the “all clear” to do more than light walking. Okay, I don’t have the all clear yet, but I’ll get it soon. I can’t end 2010 still this size! This is the largest I’ve ever been, and I’m not used to being a “big girl”. I don’t eat a lot (something my country cousin – and her mama – used to cooking BIG meals lamented, LOL), so I know I’ll lose and tone when I start exercising. I’ll still have the issues that come with Fibromyalgia, but exercise will help, and the bottom line is that this may just be a case of “no pain, no gain”.