I Believe Tom Petty Said it Best

Something about, "the waiting is the hardest part?" After all, if I'm going to take life advice from anyone, why not an aging rock star?

I've been in kind of a holding pattern as of late - my next lung function test isn't until later this month. So I'm just dutifully going about my business and taking my meds without too much trouble. At the risk of sounding like one of those obnoxious pharma drug commercials, I have to mention - if any scleroderma patients out there are having those delightful lower GI issues, ask your doctor about the antibiotic Xifaxan. It has made all the difference.

And, I credit this lovely med with making going back to work much easier than I imagained. Oh, there's the ever-present fatigue, but that's not unexpected. It feels great to be productive again, so if I have to take an epic nap when I finish work every day, then so be it.

I am anxious to see the results of the next lung function test. I have no idea if this Gleevec stuff is working or not - my skin looks the same, my breathing feels the same, hands still hurt - all the usual cast of characters are still in place. No better, but no worse. So the deal is if I don't show improvement at this next test, I'll be taken off Gleevec and put on "something else." What that could be is anyone's guess.

I've also been doing a "24 urine" every month and the amounts of protein are increasing, but evidently still in the range of "mild." I read that the average person has about 150 mg of protein in their urine, but mine is around 400 mg. I just can't be average, can I? So it's something Dr. K is watching, but my blood pressure is always on the lower side, so I think we're still ok on the kidney front.