About time for an update

Just wanted to get on here and throw an update out for all those that are curious about my health.

Things have been crazy for the last few weeks!!!

I started my Humira injections on Thursday, July 27th.

The next Friday, August 3rd, I woke up with my face feeling weird and puffy. By Friday night, the whole left side was swollen up and throbbing, and I had a fever. So off to the ER we went (at midnight. poor Ben). I immediately tell them I am on Humira, so they make me wear a mask. Apparently I had a small infection in a tooth (back molar). When my immune system crashed, my body couldn't fight that little infection and it turned into a full on absess and took over my face.
Because I was on Humira, they wrote me 2 antibiotic scripts and a pain pill, then I was out of there with in 30 minutes.

Things were BAD for a few days. I completely did not have a neck and my face was swollen up over the top of my eye. Don't believe me? here's a picture. eek!!!

By Monday, I was good as gold and back at work.

It was determined on that Monday that I would delay my next Humira injection until after the tooth/face infection was cleared up and I was able to get in with a dentist. (which if you know me, you know that I would rather cut my arm off than go to a dentist)

Now fast forward to Thursday, August 9th. I get to work, not feeling well at all. Had some pretty bad pains in the stomach area. I describe them as what I am guessing contractions feel like. It was a pulsating pain that had me doubled over. With an hour,I was throwing up from the pain. So, I leave work, and call my GI specialist. I am ordered to go directly to the ER. I get there, they give me an IV with pain meds, anti-nausea meds, and prevacid. Then I was off to x-ray and CT scan. It was determined that I had a UTI and a severe Crohn's flare up.

The Dr at the ER would have liked to have me admitted, but my GI Dr suggested that I stay out of the hospital if at all possible due to having no immune system. It was also determined that my body is resistant to one of the antibiotics that I was on for my tooth/face.

So, I came home with 1 of the same antibiotics, a new one, and some new pain meds.

Fun times, right?!?!?

So now that's where I stand. at an absolute standstill.

My dental appt is August 22nd and my next GI appt is August 23rd. At that point hopefully, I will be able to start back with my injections.

From what I can tell, the Humira is/was doing its job. It crashed my immune system as it was supposed to. and when it was time for the next injection, I had a flare up.

The problem was the infections that occurred during that time as a result of the Humira side effects.

So there you have it. I have come to realize that this will be my life for a while. I am ok with it. I have made peace with it. While I don't like being sick, or in the ER, or on all these meds....I have to keep looking at the end result.

I would really appreciate it if you would continue to keep us in your prayers. Also, please be understanding if we cancel plans, don't answer our phones or texts in a timely manner, or just flat out seem cranky some days. My health is one of our top priorities right now.

We greatly appreciate the wonderful support system that we have. Not sure what we would do without our support system. So thank you. You mean more than I could ever tell you.

What I'm loving Wednesday

I decided to get back in the routine of blogging, and I am going to link up with some fun ones.

Today I am linking up with the blog, this kind of love for "what I'm loving Wednesday

I am loving that my wonderful husband has been taking so much care of me while I have been sick.

I am loving that my family is so supportive of me.

I am loving this wonderful, crazy kitty of ours named Belle!

I am loving ice cream, any kind really.





I am loving these wonderful flowers I got from Jeannie (yes they are still alive) for my birthday almost 2 weeks ago!!

What are you loving??? go link up! This kind of love

Humira side effects - week 1

I would like to use this blog as a diary of my side effects, etc.

After speaking with my GI's nurse today, I am experiencing some of the side effects associated with the Humira injections.

1. I have exhaustion at a level that I cannot even explain. If I sit too long without talking, working, occupying my brain....I could literally fall asleep wherever I am. It's like the exhaustion takes over and I can't even think straight. This is described as my immune system starting to lower and shut down, then my body goes into protection mode.

2. I am having very vivid, weird dreams when I am sleeping. The dreams will carry over from night to night and continue on. I have never had dreams like this before.

3. I am in a brain fog. I forget that I have done things, etc. Its like it completely is gone from my memory.


While these are VERY normal side effects, they keep me on my toes. I am having to learn to listen to my body more and relax (lay down, etc) when I feel like I need to. I am writing things down more so that when I don't remember, I can look back.

This is all very real and scary for me at times....and other times, I am realizing this is just a way of life for me now and that's what I need to adjust to. I am praying like no other and asking for God to guide me through this new journey of what my life is becoming.

I did it! I totally did it! I am so proud of myself!! (plus a little medical update)

I did it!!! I am SO proud of myself.

When the Humira was delivered to my desk this morning at work, I thought for sure I was going to vomit and then my second thought was "I can NOT do this!"

Well, guess what?!?!?!

I did it! I gave myself ALL FOUR injections. I did it! and honestly, it didn't even really hurt.

I do have 4 small raised areas on my belly now, but its done! in 2 weeks, I will do 2 more injections, then I will do 1 every other week for at least a year.

According to my GI specialist, I probably will not start feeling too many side effects of the drug or the tearing down on my immune system until after the next dose in 2 weeks.
Hopefully I will be one of those people that don't experience any side effects. (crossing my fingers!)

Thank you for all of your continued prayers and please please keep them coming for us!!!

and it begins.....

Ben and I met with my GI specialist yesterday to discuss the upcoming steps/treatment options, etc.

I will be trying to go somewhat Gluten-Free and I will be getting a ton more blood work done soon.

My GI’s assistant is starting the insurance process of getting the Humira for me…..today. She said it normally takes between 7 and 10 days to get approved. Once that is complete…the specialist pharmacy will overnight the meds to me on dry ice. The day it arrives, I immediately go to the GI’s office and they will administer the shots/teach me how to give myself shots.

The first day, I will get 4 back-to-back shots.
2 weeks later, I will give myself 2 shots.
2 weeks after that, 1 shot.
From there, I will give myself 1 shot every other week.

They said because I have moderate to severe Crohn’s that I will be doing this for a minimum of 2 years, but possibly for the rest of my life.

The assistant has given me some info to research and some avenues to go down to help offset my out of pocket price as this drug is about $3k-6k per month without insurance…..not sure how much the insurance will cover yet.

Anyway, Ben and myself would really appreciate some prayers right now.