Sadly, I did not meet up too many of the goals I set for June. A lot of things are going on in my life medically that have left me feeling overwhelmed and I have chosen to rest. So I will update you on some of the changes medically that are happening. I am still waiting for a balloon lung dilation surgery. I have been waiting since May. I saw my favorite ENT and he suggested he talk to a thoracic surgeon he knows and has watched doing some great work. I trust him, so I agreed since I have not heard from anyone from the Oregon Clinic. My beloved ENT did contact the surgeon he thought could help and she said yes and wanted to look at my scans. I am currently waiting for his call and see when I can get in to meet her and get this party started. I am ready to breathe better again. I am also due for a tracheal dilation surgery also, so it has been more challenging than if it was just my lungs alone. My entire right side of my body swelled up with water retention, so when the RN who has been coming saw she wanted me to contact my doctor and tell. I did, I ended up going to the ER and getting admitted overnight while they ran tests. Nothing was found. My heart, liver, kidneys, and veins are all health and clear. I am glad that those are good. I know and knew it was because of the high dosage of Predinisone I was taking. The only strange part was it was just half of my body affected and that was what was puzzling them. One thing I have learned on this journey of mine is I am not a normal patient in my illness or in how I choose to handle my illness and treatments. When I saw my Rheumatologist he reduced my Prednisone to 40 MG. Thank God. My face and body feel better. 60 MG’s made me feel as though I was run over by a semi truck. My face feels better the most. I am still swollen on my right side of the body and taking an extra dose of my water pill is not exactly helping. Still I am happy to be at 40 mgs right now. I still look like a puffer fish in my face and that bothers me, because my skin is tight and so I have been doing extra sheets masks and putting lotion on my face more often. That helps. Skin issues happen a lot with prednisone too. I do not need anymore issues.
A great thing that happened this month is three of my great amazing sister friends came for a visit. One of them was out of town in Arkansas and she took the time to come and hang out for the day with me. We ate a great meal, chatted, visited, and just enjoyed each others company. I learn a lot from these ladies and I am glad that they are part of my team. I want to remember good things happen on this journey too. It is hard to remember that when so much pain and frustration happens all at once.

Here are the goals I set for June:
* Rituximab Infusions: I had two of them left and I received the last one until December on June 8th. Yeah. It went well. I am glad to have this part of the process done until December.
* Hirentza Infusions: I have done this, I do this every Friday. It has gone well. My caregiver and I have set a rhythm that works for us. We organized my box full of the supplies that I need.
* Write an article for Wellness Works: I have one started. I have not finished it. I have been fighting my body and mind monsters with this one.
* Read and Review 2 Books: I accomplished this one. I did more than two books. I read a few great books this month.
* go out in the community and explore: I have not felt like doing this. I have been too exhausted. I am hoping this will change as my prednisone is reduced and my body learns to adjust.
* get movement back into my life: I did not accomplish this. I want to. Fatigue has taken over my life.
* Write people in my life like my mom: I did not do this. I have to do better.
* Track my food: I stopped. I must get this habit back.

I’m looking forward to stepping into July with new goals and adventures.