2009 Strides for Lupus Walk
This past Saturday, Homer, Elliott and my friend Jen took part in the 8th Annual Strides for Lupus Walk at the Mount Mary College campus in Milwaukee. What a beautiful day for a 3-mile walk!
- Homer, Elliott & Kari at the 2009 Strides for Lupus Walk.
Kari & Jen
Last year, we put together “Team KP Dawson” with more than 40 of our family and friends, but because of the troubling economy and all of the other excitement the Dawson family has had lately, I decided not to form a team this year.
Homer--being the good Dad that he is--made sure Elle had one of the balloons at the start line!
As you may know, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis and lupus in December 2007. Both conditions are auto-immune diseases in which the body produces antibodies that recognize the joints and some organs as invaders and attacks them. While I was pregnant, the condition was in remission and my body (except for the standard pregnancy stuff) felt great. But about five weeks after Elliott was born, it came back with a vengeance. The pain varies by day, but I experience the most trouble in my toes, ankles, fingers, knees, lower back and neck. I also have regular tightness and pressure in my chest and lungs. Sometimes my face is extremely dry and patchy.
I am on two drugs to control the pain and slow down the joint damage–prednisone and hydroxychloroquine. Prednisone assists with the pain. My rheumatologist says the hydroxychloroquine is basically a patch on a leaky roof–I need something better and stronger. The ideal drug is called methotrexate. However, it’s proven to cause birth defects in developing babies and cannot be taken if a mom is breastfeeding. The other drugs–administered through injections or IV–like Enbrel, Humira, and Remicaid–are also excellent options, but are very expensive and not fully covered by insurance.
So, for now, I deal with the pain and keep a positive attitude. It’s not so bad once I get moving, but in the morning–woo–I feel like an 89-year-old lady trying to move around.
Next year I plan to bring back Team KP Dawson for the Strides for Lupus Walk, so expect an email from me sometime in the Spring!