patience 50

This past weekend my husband's family had their annual reunion. It is 200 miles away and even though I was on the shady side of the car, the light was bight enough to cause my neck, arms, and chest to look fire engine red. Before we got there I had a severe headache and felt nauseaus.

The gathering is in a national park and I was particular about being in the shade or under the pavilion most of the day. Sticking with tradition though, late in the afternoon a bunch of us walked up to the gift shop. It is a distance of about 2/3 of a mile, not very far considering I do 2 & 3 miles on a treadmill several times a week. I didn't make it. My right knees began go cave in on me and my vision blurred. The headache became excruciating and I had trouble catching my breath. I can't tell you how much I hated it. I have always had these symptoms but to a much milder degree. They never stopped me before, I just sucked it up and had a good time anyway.

We came home and just laid around all day yesterday. Even today, the symptoms seem to backing off but still the redness is more than usual and my knees are hot and painful again.

You all know, since I have a dx of Lupus, I used a 50 sun screen, wore long sleeves and a hat to keep the sun off my neck, for all the good it did.

Guess there is no help for it. I just needed to sound off about how much I dislike this disease. I can't imagine how I ever would have managed if I had been this bad when my children were young or when I had to work. Then again, maybe it only seems worse because I know what it is. I can't tell anymore.

DH said that except for a vacation we took in Florida about 13 years ago when our oldest graduated college, he has never seen my skin so red. It surprised him because I was in the shade and was covered.

I have to tell you all that a middle eastern burka is looking better all the time.

May God Bless Us All
Patience 50/ Bonnie