Lupus day 14.

 Hi Everyone!

During lupus month I have shared some different symptoms that can happen. I want you to know that not all lupus people get all of these symptoms and some of these happen to  people who DON'T have lupus. The thickening of blood is one of them. 

From the lupus foundation of Pennsylvania.

In the last few years I have been getting nodules on my thyroid ( many people have thyroid nodules and don't have lupus) and now my left lung. I had a CT scan a few months ago on my stomach and through that was seen the nodule on my left lung. I had a CT scan yesterday to see if it is growing or changing. There are no changes. The nodules on my thyroid have changed and I have had several biopsies. Thank the gods that they have all be benign. So, that got me to thinking. Does lupus cause nodules?

 In fact, lupus can cause nodules in various organs, including the skin, lungs, kidneys, brain, and other areas.  

Nodules, which can be raised lesions, are a manifestation of lupus, and their presence can indicate inflammation and tissue damage. 

lupus  can lead to thyroid problems, including thyroid nodules, and lung complications, including nodules. Patients with lupus often have antithyroid antibodies, which can lead to thyroid inflammation and nodule formation. Hashimoto's thyroiditis, an autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of the thyroid, is a common thyroid problem associated with lupus. However, because Hashimoto's is an autoimmune disease on it's own you can have it without lupus.

As far as the thyroid nodule lupus patients do have a slightly increased risk of developing thyroid cancer. Studies suggest an increased risk of papillary thyroid cancer in patients with lupus, especially those with thyroid autoimmunity. That would be me. In addition my sister had thyroid cancer. So my ENT watches me closely. 

Thyroid biopsy.

As for the brain. Two lesions were found on my brain 25 years ago. Even though they have grown they are very slow growing and have not turned ugly.  I have mentioned before that in 2013 an MRI showed hundreds of white spots on my brain. No changes with those either. I get an MRI every year. 

I'm sure, ( ya know I'm not a doctor) that the lung nodule is from on going inflammation of my lungs. It's a very painful ordeal that radiates through the whole top of my body to my back and shoulders. In fact, that's how I know it's coming. One of my shoulders starts to hurt. It's an indescribable pain. 

The inflammation in the lungs, can cause nodules and damage lung tissue, potentially leading to scarring and fibrosis.

Not my CT scan 

 

That's it for today. 

For all of you I wish you good health.

 

Nicole

T stands for is there any better word

 Hi Everyone!

Today is the T-party over at 

Bleubeards and Elizabeth's. 

For me T stands for...

is there any better word than benign?

I had the biopsy on a nodule on my thyroid.

2 specimens were taken. The first one was uncomfortable, like, I felt it but didn't want to cry. LOL The second one was and OMFG! moment. It doesn't last very long and when he was done I mentioned that it hurt. The pathologist respond, "oh that's weird." OKayyyy.... I did get to look at one of the slides. He told me right there that he didn't see anything ugly and by 2pm I had a full report. I have a thyroid full of nodules and 7 of them are suspicious but for here insurance won't pay until they are larger for biopsy. So now it's another waiting game. The test still doesn't give me answers for no voice, feels like I'm being choked, throat hurts and at times hard to swallow.

I don't have an appt with the ENT until the end of August.... 

However, I want to thank you everyone, for all of the well wishes, spells and prayers. I accept them all and they worked.

 

Now for garden news. It is a tough year for gardening here. Even my neighbors are having a hard time with gardening. So when I get a few things harvested or see that things are growing well I'm happy.

 

Garlic from my neighbor. He is a beyond a master gardener.	Beet greens from my garden.
White radish from my garden.	Spinach from my garden.
Onions from my garden.	And I've started more.
This is a beautiful head of lettuce from my garden that I traded	my neighbor for this fennel. I'm going to make bake chicken with lemon and fennel.

 It's so nice to have 3 other gardeners across the street so we can all trade out.

Now for something to drink.

I have been drinking ICE like there is not tomorrow. LOL

There are so many flavors to choose from. I do like the orange/mango.

 

Hope you have a great day today.
 

Nicole