Lots On My Mind

Remember a few months ago, when I wrote about my sister's health problems? She's been going to the doctor for blood tests, shots, etc., so she hasn't really known anything.

Except til now.

Well, her doctor looked at her original blood tests and told her that she had one of the worst potassium deficiencies he'd ever seen. Then, he put her on some anti-inflammatory meds to ease her joint pain, but that made her really sick. She went back to the doctor and they told her that she was HIGHLY allergic to the anti-inflammatory meds, and she had to stop taking them. He didn't really know what else was wrong with her, so he sent her to a neurologist.

She had an appointment today at 8:30. I texted her at 12:30 to see how it went and she was still having tests done. They ran tests on my sister for six hours, all told. They gave her a ton of cortisone shots to ease her joint pain, and they did a nerve biopsy. Basically, they stuck a giant needle into the base of her spine, extracted a section of her nerve, and are sending it away to be tested. My poor sister. I can't even begin to imagine the pain.

She has 80% of the symptoms for lupus. Lupus has no cure.

Before this, my only experience with lupus was remembering that one of the Backstreet Boys' sisters died from it.

It's a degenerative autoimmune disorder, so her body is attacking itself(assuming she has lupus, which the doctor is for the moment). Although there is no cure, it can be treated ,and according to what she's told me, as well as my own research, she can go on and lead a normal life. The doctor just told her that she will have a hard time controlling her weight, and her sleep patterns will be hard for her to control.

I just feel so bad for her. Today she actually told me, "I would rather them find something serious than not find anything at all, because I know my body, and something is wrong. I just want them to find something so I can feel better."

I know she's my little sister, but I depend on her. When things are really bad, she's the only one that can snap me out of it. She's the kind of person who tells you the blunt truth. We've been through a lot together, and we've put each other through a lot, too...but she's a rock. Sure, she swears like a sailor and drives me nuts with the way she disappears for days at a time and doesn't bother to call...but if anyone else says a bad word about her, they're on my list. For life. I love my sister fiercely.

And I'm so worried about her.