[serenityqueen]

I had shared with my Family here on SR several weeks ago that I was having some additional medical problems on top of the Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis I already have. I want to thank everyone who sent me kind words and Prayers. It means a great deal knowing that this disease of addiction has brought so many wonderful people into my life thanks to SR.

I'd like to ask for your continuing Prayers. I saw my Dr. today and got the results of all the tests. I do have Congestive Heart Failure. My Dr.'s are very optomistic. With the right meds, a proper diet, eliminating salt, losing weight and stop smoking, I should live for many years.

It was also discovered through the work up that I have Osteoarthritis as well which is not helping my deteriorating joints at all. Hopefully I can get help from some foundations to be able to take the medications to help slow down the progression.

My lab tests have come back showing so very elevated blood levels that have caused additional concern from my doctors. I am having another round of tests for my heart and lungs which will have to be ran in patient. They are all scheduled for the 28th of this month unless my symptoms worsen.

The good news is, once again, I have not had a single urge to use. I did have the opportunity today when the entire Internal Medicine Team came in after my main Dr. asked if it were ok for them to come and see me. (I felt like some medical specimen, which I guess I was) Since it's a teaching facility, I had no problems with residents coming in to learn. I shared with them that I am in Recovery and my drug of choice being opiates. I openly shared with them the cons I used to get more and more Rx's out of Dr.'s in the past. I begged them to be aware of the signs and symptoms. I also asked them not to judge someone, remember what they are taught in medical school - addiction is a disease just like Cancer or Diabetes.

Thanks for letting me share and I appreciate the kind thoughts and Prayers,
Judy