Currently writing this post on Christmas Day! I am alone. Like I always am. I have gotten used to this new way of living. Since being chronically ill I have learned to live alone and do things alone. I am not happy about it. However, I accept it. There is nothing I can do to change it. People become scared when someone is permanently sick and can’t function to their level. They leave them behind and move fast through their own chaotic life. I do have some people who have stuck by me and I call them all my family and support team. I found myself ready at this point to share how my 2024 went. You can probably tell, I avoided my blog like the black plague. For the last two years I have felt exhausted with all the healing of my wounds on my leg and healing from sepsis and just trying to get back into remission with my Wegener’s. It has been a clustered mess. In December, I started my Rituximab infusion again. I was off of it for two years. There are changes to this new regiment too. I am now in the middle of my 4 weeks of infusions of Rituximab. I have only had two infusions so far. I get them one day a week for four weeks. This includes the pre-meds of Solumedrol and Benadryl and Tylenol. Solumedrol is a steroid and I get 100 MG’s with each infusion. I have had 200 MG of steroids in two weeks. This last infusion ran me through the ringer. When I had it before I never did it this way. I did two rounds with the two rounds having a two week space between them and then six months later during that regiment again. The pre-meds stayed the same. This time, I threw up for a few days and I am now lightheaded and it is from the steroids. Because when I used to get steroids of 60 MGs I felt this way before. I am blessed that Corinne my RN who does my infusions of Privigin and Rituximab in my home, looks after me well and I am following her instructions of resting and taking my time and staying hydrated. That is my goal for right now. I am also waiting for one of my sisters and her son to stop by for Christmas and to bring me a treat. I am blessed with kind people both family and friends who show their love for me in small and big ways.
The changes this year have been noticeable in my life. The biggest one is that I now weigh under 200 pounds, I am 199 right now. Another blessing is that my leg wound on my right leg is healed. I have skin and no longer a huge hole in my leg. It took me two years to get the wound healed. With this healing, I did a lot of antibiotics, used wound treatments I never knew about, like silver, algae, hydrofera blue which is made from organic materials and silver and saline water. I used a lot of different wound care products. I also learned the importance of skin care. My sister-friend Summer introduced me to a friend who makes skin care products and soaps that are safe and nourish the skin, unlike the products you find in stores that hurt my skin and hers. I love the products. At the end of this post I will share a link to purchase your own. The mother of the creator of the products graciously gave me some bath bombs and soaps and her balms to try and use. I have loved everything I have received so far. One of the balms she gave me is Lavender and Sandalwood body balm. I use this on my legs and feet. I am slowly getting back into my all over skin care routine, that includes my face.
Taking care of myself and learning that I am Enough has been the theme. I chose as my focus word the fruits of the spirit. The fruits of the spirit is about loving people and loving yourself. God wants this. I aim to have a heart like God’s which tells me to love people at where they are at. I will have the theme fruits of the spirit for 2025 too. My friend who has been my caregiver for over a year has stopped working for me. She is going for her own dreams and I want that for her. I want everyone to follow their purpose and do the work to get there.
I failed at reading this year too. I didn’t read much. I knew I wouldn’t be able to, so that is why I put 25 books on Goodreads this year. I did read over 25 books but I was not sure I would.
I lost my Facebook, twice, and my phone number, so I have a new phone number and I now have Instagram. I will share my link with you at the bottom too.
I am proud that I did not gain my weight back this year.
I am proud that my home is becoming safe and comfy for me.
I am happy that Nicholas is alive and purring. He is my sweet angel.
I am happy that I have a Rosemary tree that is my Christmas tree.
I am happy that my plants are getting stronger.
I am happy I get to play in the dirt and repot a few of my plants.
I will write my intentions for next year. Happy New Year!
Links I like to share:
Jamie Jean Holloway is where you can find me on Instagram.
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