Public appearances

well, the side effects of the high dose steroids have gotten to me...the swelling in my face and trunk are getting too much to deal with. the swelling has become painful and some of my clothes aren't fitting. my skin aches. and i'm embarrassed to be out in public doing normal things - seeing my patients, going to stores, seeing friends. i'm just uncomfortable with it all. most days i'm okay but others i have to force myself to walk out the door and this week has been tough. i spoke with a doctor yesterday and he said he doesn't usually see the swelling begin to resolve until a patient is down to 20mg a day. i'm at 35mg a day and won't be down to 20mg for another couple weeks. groan... everyone keeps saying "this is temporary"...yes, i realize that, but it's happening now and it's hard to deal with. i keep telling myself "keep your chin up!" but this chin is getting heavy! ha ha...

on a totally different note, i took a week of vacation last week and spent it with my family and friends on long island. i loved it! it was nice to be able to relax and do normal things with everyone instead of racing around trying to fit everything in to one weekend. being on the steroids made it possible for me to hold my niece and nephew, which i wasn't able to do well a few months ago when i saw them. i was also able to be out and about without being in pain and could spend some time in the sun without getting a rash. i did have severe munchies all week and my family was making fun of me...i couldn't help it! but i did get to eat some yummy things :) so yes, i love the steroids but i also hate them.