magicat
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I went to a rheumatologist last week. He had me to get some blood work done, and I was supposed to see him next month. His office called as soon as the blood work was back and said I needed to come back in very soon, as there was some problems with my lab results. The nurse said the labs showed inflamation. I work in the hospital where the blood work was done, so of course I have the results too. I have a positive ANA, but I have known that for a few years. The result that I did not expect was a positive for Anti DNA (DS) which I understand is specific for SLE. I have multiple symptoms, so I fully expect the doc will tell me tomorrow that I have Lupus. I have a very stressful job. Actually, in fact, I have 2 stressful jobs. 1 is full time and 1 is part time. I am passionate about what I do. I worked my way through college as a nursing assistant while being a single mom. I finished my Masters degree a few years ago, and I feel threatened by the possibility that this disease will limit what I can continue to do. I feel like if I go to the MD tomorrow and he tells me that I have Lupus, it will be an unwelcome turning point in my life. I know many of you know what the lab results mean. I have worked in the medical field for many years, but I have had very little exposure to the study of autoimmune diseases. I have read a lot over the last 2 days since the MD office called me, so I may be over reacting. Can anyone give me an opinion on this. I am not sure of what I do or should feel at this point. Mostly I just feel numb, but I do not want to change my life. Hopefully it will be nothing, but I have also been in the medical field long enough to know that the doc does not call you right back in for nothing. I can deal with fibromyalgia, joint pain and anemia as seperate diagnosis, but I am afraid the diagnosis of Lupus may be bigger than me. I have always said that I did not have to look far to see someone with worse problems than me in my job, and that is true. I am not afraid that Lupus will kill me any time soon, I am afraid it will limit what I can do. It is 1:30 in the AM. I left work at the ER about midnight, and I see the MD in the morning. I cannot go to sleep. Thanks for listening Magicat. |
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