Make the most of each day
By austinbell
@austinbell (491)
March 22, 2008 11:25am CST
I thought I was a healthy and fit 60 year old until I had a routine blood test which came back with very usual results. My doctor sent me to the nearest hospital to see a specialist and after many test over a 6 month period and 6 months of worry I have finally been diagnosed with an Autoimmune disorder.
I am one of the lucky ones as they have found this problem before it has done any damage to me but it means taking steriods for the rest of my life. If this condition had not been found I would certainly have ended up dead in a few years time.
As you can appreciate this has been a terrible shock to me and my family so I have decided that I, and everyone else, must certainly make the most of each day as we do not know what is around the next corner
5 people like this
11 responses
@terri0824 (4991)
• United States
22 Mar 08
I'm glad that you had a routine blood test, because you had no symtoms that anything was wrong. So without that you wouldn't have been able to catch it as early as you did.
You are so right on about making the most of each day we have! We are not guaranteed the next minute let alone tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@austinbell (491)
•
22 Mar 08
I do thank my lucky stars that I am one of the lucky ones and it is of great importance that we all make the most of each day as none of us know what is around the next corner
1 person likes this
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
23 Mar 08
im so sorry about the result from the blood test, you are exactly right, you need to take every day as it comes and make the most of it. my partner is healthy and one day he went for a swim and his ear played up and i took him to a dr and they sent him straight to a specialist so tests can be organised all to find out he needs major operations on both ears as theres a major infection behind the ear it is slowly killing him. even the operation can be a bad outcome but its a procedure that needs to be done so when they do the operation it could be a life changing operation for all of us.
its til something happens that we dont really worry about each day and just act as everything is ok.
@austinbell (491)
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23 Mar 08
thanks for your comments and am sorry to hear about your partner. Lets hope the operation will be a success. Don't forget to let us all know how he is coming along
@meljessxena (2315)
• Australia
24 Mar 08
im in australia. i hope we dont have to wait to long, we are planning to get married in october.
@austinbell (491)
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23 Mar 08
I don't know where abouts you are but it sounds just like here in the UK, although I was lucky and did not have to wait too long to go in for my liver biopsy am just waiting on the results.
Hope you don't have to wait too long to get it all sorted it can be very worrying
@austinbell (491)
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23 Mar 08
Now I know what is wrong I think I can deal with it in a much more positive way. Sorry to hear about your depression I am lucky and have never suffered but it must be an awful thing to deal with
@suehan1 (4344)
• Australia
23 Mar 08
good on you for getting it all sorted out and that your doctor was on the ball.yes you are one of the lucky ones who's condition was picked up early so it can be treated.i work in pathology and collect those blood tests and i have seen the other side .people really need to make the most of every day as you said,and you really see things a lot different and appreciate life when you have been diagnosed with a chronic condition.take care and i wish you well.cheers sue
@austinbell (491)
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23 Mar 08
thanks for your comments Sue I know I am one of the lucky ones and there are alot of people in a worse state than I am and younger in years as well
@Jerseygirl1 (3)
• United States
23 Mar 08
So sorry to hear of your health issues, Austinbell.
I have Lupus, which is also an auto-immune disease.
My best advice to you is that you educate yourself about your particular disorder. Learn what the triggers are that might cause a flare up...and also the best dietary approaches.
It is possible to live happily with an auto-immune disorder...you just may have to make a few adjustments.
Best wishes to you!
@austinbell (491)
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23 Mar 08
Thanks for the advice, I have been looking into AIH and have learned alot from some very knowledgable people who have had the condition alot longer than I have. They have helped me come to terms with it and both my hubby and myself have decided not to put anything off now. We have both been guilty of it in the past because you think there is lots of time but this has brought it home to us that you never know no matter how old you are
@lucy02 (5015)
• United States
23 Mar 08
I am so sorry to hear about your diagnosis but I'm glad they caught it early. I just got a form from my insurance company to go get a wellness exam. I wasn't going to fool with it but now I think it might be a good idea. I don't know too much about Autoimmune disorder. What were your symptoms? You will be in my thoughts and prayers.
@AmbiePam (92800)
• United States
23 Mar 08
That is definitely been proven to me this week, that's for sure. I'm glad you have been diagnosed. I have an auto immune problem, but have not been on steroids for years. I hope that you are able to keep off the weight when they start you on them. I gained a lot of weight with the steroids, and it took forever to get it off. However, I wasn't prepared when I started taking them. You seem to know what you're in for, so I wish you the best of luck, and the best of health.
@austinbell (491)
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23 Mar 08
The weight problem does worry me somewhat but hope I can sort it out if not well it is not the end of the world at least I will still be around to enjoy seeing my grandchildren get married and enjoy seeing the great grandchildren when they start arriving
@lightningd (1039)
• United States
22 Mar 08
Wow! I guess that is a reality check that will make you take stock of your life. I know I have been ill the last 4 weeks. And it's really made me stop and think. I rarely get sick, and when I do, I usually do my best to go on about my business. This time around, it has really knocked me down hard. It's made me reconsider how I take care of myself. I have also decided that I am going to make the most of what I have and what I can do.
I hope the best for you! Take care of yourself.
@austinbell (491)
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22 Mar 08
I was like you and I was never ill in fact it is over 6 years since I went to the doctors so it was a big shock
You are right you must take better care of yourself that is the start and then make sure you make the most of every day, time goes so fast and the years just fade away
@jpso138 (7851)
• Philippines
23 Mar 08
I fully agree with you that you can never tell what tomorrow will bring. I can vividly recall some few lines in the movie "the count of Monte Cristo".. Life is storm my friend, you bath in the sunlight one moment, be shattered in the rocks the next... I am sharing to point out that in life you will face a lot of surprises. The thing is we should cherish each day and live each day to the fullest. I am glad that you are well and was able to find and cure the problem right away. Best to you and your family!
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
23 Mar 08
austinbell you are so right.I am glad you finally got diagnosed and are being treated. I am a diabetic and wish I had learned sooner but I am so lucky I am eighty one and still fairly intelligent and happy and have to make the most of every day like as you say we do not know what could happen next.
@austinbell (491)
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23 Mar 08
I hope I am like you when I get to your age you still seem to be enjoying each day
Hope you are having a lovely Easter weekend
