tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.comments2024-03-09T09:28:24.274-05:00Despite LupusSara Gormanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comBlogger2597125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-58412231249460630712024-01-09T22:47:16.827-05:002024-01-09T22:47:16.827-05:00That's a great idea.. Never saw the pictures o...That's a great idea.. Never saw the pictures of the final renovationBrian Lochtehttp://www.exteriorpoint.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-49399652398993376842023-09-01T15:04:27.703-04:002023-09-01T15:04:27.703-04:00I am so glad this hit home for you, and that you w...I am so glad this hit home for you, and that you were able to find clarity in your own situation! For that alone, congratulations! I truly believe each of us is the best judge of the direction in which our life is meant to go. Sometimes, we just don't know it until we step back and acknowledge the signs (some subtle, others, like a flare!, not so subtle) that our body is sending us. I am just so happy that you are pausing long enough to let the signs crystalize! <br /><br />As far as declining a 2nd interview - a nice problem to have, right?! You can always say something like you've decided to go in a different direction, at the present time, just not the right fit, etc. Some would agree that you don't want to waste more of your time, or theirs, or open yourself up to a confusing decision afterward. You've come so far in considering what is truly best for yourself right now - maintain your momentum by saying no to the job and yes to your health! But others might recommend going through with the interview, if you have doubts or need to be sure you made the right decision and want closure. I found this article which highlights some things to consider when faced with a second interview you don't necessarily want. Maybe you can find some nuggets in here: https://www.themuse.com/advice/when-its-smart-to-interview-for-a-job-you-dont-actually-want<br /><br />Either way, best of luck and thanks so much for stopping by. I know you have everything you need to make the right decision for you!Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-41654299129721260542023-09-01T14:25:42.239-04:002023-09-01T14:25:42.239-04:00Thank you so much for reposting “. . . Giving In I...Thank you so much for reposting “. . . Giving In Isn’t Giving Up.” After retiring and not working for two years I decided to go back to work to supplement our household income. After updating and posting my resume on LinkedIn I receive a call from a recruiter, who set me up with an interview. The prospective job is exactly what I was looking for: a management role in healthcare IT, leading a team of applications analyst, in a hospital close to home, working remotely 99% of the time. After the first interview I have been asked for a second interview. What happened next: a major flare, and a rescheduled second interview, as a result. Now, I question whether this is a healthy move. I help my husband with his business, take care of my 93 year old mother, and have a daughter daughter living with me who is also experiencing an autoimmune disorder, with significant pain. So, I ask myself: Am I crazy for thinking about going back to work? After ready your blog I can truly answer “YES.” So, thank you for reposting this article, and for providing the link to the digital, where I read others’ comments. My problem now: How do I back out of the second interview? 🤷🏽♂️Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-64950311754999231372022-12-09T17:56:01.126-05:002022-12-09T17:56:01.126-05:00Oh, Denise. Thank you for this. ♥️ Having my book ...Oh, Denise. Thank you for this. ♥️ Having my book quoted back to me in a time of great need is about the most special thing in the whole world. And yes, my mom was wise all those years ago. Little did she know that, thanks to you, sharing those inspirational words with me then would one day help me cope with her passing now. ♥️♥️♥️ Thank you for taking the time to comment. I haven't been ready to write about her passing quite yet (it was Nov 21st), but thankfully you have just opened the floodgates and have started me on my journey of healing through the written word. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-17023468466449506702022-12-09T16:35:21.241-05:002022-12-09T16:35:21.241-05:00Just reading this now. My heart goes out to you a...Just reading this now. My heart goes out to you and your family. You love each other well. May God's love hold you all together, give you comfort and peace, and help you through the journey. To quote your Mom, on pg. 35 of your book, "If He takes you to it, He'll take you through it." You've shared a bit of your Mom with others through your writing. Thank you for that! Page 186, "Tho' much is taken, much abides." May these words on page 144 give you comfort now, "Precious Lord, take my hand -Lead me on, let me stand, I'm tired, I'm weak, I'm lone -Through the storm, through the night, Lead me on to the light -Take my hand precious Lord, lead me home." Praying for you all.Denise Sullivannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-6726991359723312312022-01-27T19:19:44.664-05:002022-01-27T19:19:44.664-05:00Yes!!! ❤️Yes!!! ❤️Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-69737914682935028112022-01-27T17:12:13.032-05:002022-01-27T17:12:13.032-05:00Right. Lupus is not a blessing. But a regular afte...Right. Lupus is not a blessing. But a regular afternoon nap which extends a lifetime - most certainly is!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02770286582984407282noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-5194380436571101022021-11-27T08:10:34.272-05:002021-11-27T08:10:34.272-05:00@lizzie167 - no apologies necessary! You are defin...@lizzie167 - no apologies necessary! You are definitely due for a great doctor-patient relationship! If you want a recommendation, let us know your general vicinity and maybe we can come up with a referral. While a doc rec can be very personal, it's always good to have a place to start. Another thing - I also learned to rely heavily on a pulmonologist for my history with both pleural effusion and bronchiectasis, so if you need recs for one of those, let us know. I found that tasking my rheumatologist with only rheumy stuff improved our relationship and eased my frustration. Otherwise, it can feel like you're presenting these symptoms but getting nowhere! Best of luck - hope to help with referrals! Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-49374075579436673352021-11-27T06:57:54.683-05:002021-11-27T06:57:54.683-05:00I’m not doing a taper but I get so jealous hearing...I’m not doing a taper but I get so jealous hearing about engaged doctors who work in partnership with you. For years I “needed” to live in denial. I needed, as a single mother, to believe I had this mild lupus, with no organ involvement- just fatigue and arthritis. This need kept me with an awful rheumatologist for 24 years. When he said to me at my first visit I wonder why Dr X didn’t send you here, we were in med. school together?” I asked her and she said he’s a crappy doctor. Really all he’s done for me is perpetuate my myth. When I had pleural effusion and actelisis he said probably unrelated to SLE. When I had my SVT he told me people without lupus have this- no need to lump<br />it all on lupus. When I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis he said lupus has nothing to do with that when a google search shows lupus as a cause, but it helped me deny. Now I’m ready to find an actual doctor and just hope I haven’t screwed myself up. <br />Sorry to vent on your taper post but I just felt so jealous for a second lizzie167https://www.blogger.com/profile/01918595448182007336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-43020015484586132842021-11-27T06:57:24.843-05:002021-11-27T06:57:24.843-05:00I’m not doing a taper but I get so jealous hearing...I’m not doing a taper but I get so jealous hearing about engaged doctors who work in partnership with you. For years I “needed” to live in denial. I needed, as a single mother, to believe I had this mild lupus, with no organ involvement- just fatigue and arthritis. This need kept me with an awful rheumatologist for 24 years. When he said to me at my first visit I wonder why Dr X didn’t send you here, we were in med. school together?” I asked her and she said he’s a crappy doctor. Really all he’s done for me is perpetuate my myth. When I had pleural effusion and actelisis he said probably unrelated to SLE. When I had my SVT he told me people without lupus have this- no need to lump<br />it all on lupus. When I was diagnosed with bronchiectasis he said lupus has nothing to do with that when a google search shows lupus as a cause, but it helped me deny. Now I’m ready to find an actual doctor and just hope I haven’t screwed myself up. <br />Sorry to vent on your taper post but I just felt so jealous for a second lizzie167https://www.blogger.com/profile/01918595448182007336noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-62588090966804199282021-09-23T09:03:14.211-04:002021-09-23T09:03:14.211-04:00This is incredibly helpful - thank you so much! I ...This is incredibly helpful - thank you so much! I just discovered a friend of ours offers acupuncture in his chiropractic practice, so all signs are pointing to me revisiting this treatment. Thank you for the nudge!! And yay to Dr. Thomas. He is wonderful! (And your carpentry/design work is fantastic. Wow! Totally inspired!) Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-81059654220694193672021-09-22T21:40:39.515-04:002021-09-22T21:40:39.515-04:00Just figured it out:
Good day
I could not figure...Just figured it out: <br />Good day<br /><br />I could not figure out how to comment on your blog regarding or rather answering your question about acupuncture. <br /><br />Beyond a doubt, acupuncture has saved my life. But also the brilliance of my doctor. He is a Taoist Traditional Chinese doctor from Taiwan. Taoist's are not at all sexist, they believe in the Yin and Yang, the balance of a person and or partnership. He diagnosed my Lupus when I was 35, it took my medical doctors after years of being dismissed to finally diagnose me at the age 65. Therefore for decades under the care of my Chinese doctor, I had never gone on drugs until recently. Only take hydroxychloroquine and my herbs. At age 70, I do not take a nap, I work full time but keep a low key 3 days a week. To note at this time the severity of my lupus at times has been so serve I generally have thought I had bone cancer. Then we change my herbs and get a treatment. And, yes, I have strict real food diet with an hour of exercise a day. No matter what our cross to bear, it is a challenge getting older, an uphill battle. <br /><br />Yes, indeed, pursue acupuncture.<br /><br />https://www.taoofwellness.com/about<br /><br />Be well and thank you for my blog, I will start to read it regularly, thanks to Dr Donald Thomas. Malka Sabroe-JoHansonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00461268019384948128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-59863825188290558972021-06-07T17:53:17.915-04:002021-06-07T17:53:17.915-04:00Yes, to all of the above! Beautifully said, as alw...Yes, to all of the above! Beautifully said, as always. Here's to a cure, and for the progress we make until then! Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-33036625427608048842021-06-01T15:29:35.514-04:002021-06-01T15:29:35.514-04:00This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.Don Thomas, MDhttp://www.lupusencyclopedia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-71533188013811179882021-06-01T15:25:11.621-04:002021-06-01T15:25:11.621-04:00Sarah: you brought a tear to my eye today (really)...Sarah: you brought a tear to my eye today (really). I am so glad I looked through my old Twitter feeds today (I'm usually very very bad with Twitter).<br /><br />You know, we all do what we do because it makes a difference. The same with you. I can't imagine how many lives you have touched by being a speaker and people reading your book. They can identify with the troubles you had, the denial, then the eventual hard work with adherence.<br /><br />Keep up the wonderful work. Hopefully a cure will come someday so we can all stop blogging and speaking and fighting! But until then... we will<br /><br />:-)<br /><br />Dr TDon Thomas, MDhttp://www.lupusencyclopedia.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-66784288584312132492020-12-23T09:53:29.762-05:002020-12-23T09:53:29.762-05:00Lynn's Blog - thanks for weighing in! Heparin ...Lynn's Blog - thanks for weighing in! Heparin IS a lot more cost effective, at least it was when I was pregnant, I agree. But my docs preferred I go with Lovenox - though there was much discussion about the two. Thanks for including the link - GoodRx is the best, right??!!! Take care. Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-26023579331625396262020-12-12T12:11:06.212-05:002020-12-12T12:11:06.212-05:00Unfractionated heparin is just about as good, exce...Unfractionated heparin is just about as good, except for twice-a-day injections and some extra blood tests - covered by insurance - and an out-of-pocket cost that is much lower than LMWH: https://www.goodrx.com/heparin-sodium<br />Lynn's Bloghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11572362102917251098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-83800264434560268282020-12-11T13:11:59.900-05:002020-12-11T13:11:59.900-05:00Leanna - Thanks so much for sharing. Always great ...Leanna - Thanks so much for sharing. Always great to have different experiences to work from, but sorry it wasn't a smooth process. Very happy you listed the otherorganization. Options are key! Thx so much!Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-14556154465000193692020-12-10T18:00:12.216-05:002020-12-10T18:00:12.216-05:00I used to get a grant thu Healthwell to help pay f...I used to get a grant thu Healthwell to help pay for my benlysta infusion and found healthwell was somewhat difficult to work with, they had deadlines for getting your reimbursement forms to them which you have to wait for insurance to pay first. You have to renew every anniversary or you are kicked out an they don’t let you know when it is time for you to renew. I did find another source to help pay for my infusions and they are so much easier to work with. The organization is The Assistance Fund and their website is tafcares.org.Leannahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10430025575870380007noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-2684571673011069212020-11-28T14:47:55.799-05:002020-11-28T14:47:55.799-05:00Thank you! There are such great resources out ther...Thank you! There are such great resources out there, I agree! Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-11845319548870818162020-11-19T22:35:48.931-05:002020-11-19T22:35:48.931-05:00I was just 6 weeks! Took me a lot longer to figure...I was just 6 weeks! Took me a lot longer to figure out how to deal with a chronic illness, of course, 🙄 but still thankful that I didn't have to search forever for answers. Here's hoping it becomes easier and easier for others as lupus research and awareness continue to move forward! Thx for sharing!Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-67021829747750512822020-11-18T21:09:58.014-05:002020-11-18T21:09:58.014-05:00thank you for sharing. i will def check that inter...thank you for sharing. i will def check that interview. its great how there are so many outlets know to spread awareness!gerihttps://everydaylivinglupus.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-39537013239839595742020-11-16T22:25:39.322-05:002020-11-16T22:25:39.322-05:00Thanks for sharing the link to the survey. will fi...Thanks for sharing the link to the survey. will fill out shortly. i think i was one of the lucky ones and it took about a month to finally get diagnosed. Gerihttps://everydaylivinglupus.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-41852363323844734202020-10-22T22:11:55.906-04:002020-10-22T22:11:55.906-04:00For me, too! I watched the film with my mom, and I...For me, too! I watched the film with my mom, and I just kept telling her how accurate it was as it went along...how similar (and sneaky) the symptoms are at diagnosis, and the range of emotions you go through at the onset were all represented. It really is a job well done!Sara Gormanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07608238591846611898noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8824828113983189391.post-38913353221320736192020-10-22T14:41:05.906-04:002020-10-22T14:41:05.906-04:00thanks for the recommendation. def will be adding ...thanks for the recommendation. def will be adding this on my watch list. i got emotional just watching the trailer cause it brought back so many memories when I was first diagnosed.Gerihttps://everydaylivingnyc.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com