Sent!

Good luck, too.

Lou

Well we don't *pray,*
but Pigmet recites Zen Koans
and I meditate...
So some of these will be done
on your behalf!

We can trade
the power of our beliefs
one for another,
As I await the results of my
blood cultures!

I am glad to hear
that you are home
And hope that means
You are doing better...
The Pred...<*long sigh*>
Now would be the time for it!

With Love,
Koans,
and quiet meditations,

--Mair and Pigmet

By the way, George,

I thought it might help for you to know that my brother has lupus, and he
was not diagnosed with it until he suffered severe respiratory symptoms and
had to be hospitalized.  Before that experience, he and I had always had
very similar vague symptoms that we would just compare notes on.  He had
this one terrible flare, but then his lupus settled down after a course of
prednisone.  He has actually had a better recovery than I have; I have had
my disease more or less "controlled" by the use of *many* medications (I
take at least 14 meds on a daily basis), but he has been able to go off most
of his.

So remember, after all, you do have lupus! :-p  There is really no
predicting what may happen for you.

The best of recovery to you!

Mary

Hi George,
I don't pray. God never promised us a utopia and we haven't created one
either.
I do hope the medications will help.
The rationalzation for ant-acids may be here
<
http://www.ctv.ca/servlet/ArticleNews/story/CTVNews/20080812/antacids_bones_0808
12/20080812?hub=Health

Your lung problems are probably not all Lupus caused.

To get a sense of how much impace, we, as human beings, have had on our
environment, it's useful to take a look at the level, over time, of carbone
dioxide in our atmosphere. The level of carbon dioxide before the industrial
revolution was 280 parts per million (ppm) and by the 1950's, it had risen
to 315 ppm.  The currel level is 380 ppm and is expected to increase by
approximately 2 ppm per year.  At first blush this may not seem like much,
but taking a closer look, we notice that almost everything frozen on earth
has begun to melt, seasons have changed, as have rainfall patterns - and sea
levels are rising. While there is no clear data suggesting at what
catastrophe looms, several reports indicte that 450 ppm is it - and that
makes it only three and a half decades away.

Figuring out the math is the easy part - the hard part is implementing a
strategy to cut carbon emissions.  The Europeans and japanese have already
begun - which is good news, but emissions in the United States (US), a
quarter of the world's total, continue to rise steadily, China and India are
suddenly starting to emit huge quantities as well (China builds one coal
buring power plant about every week) so the prospect of seeing an overall
decline looks less and less possible.

It is generally accepted that, in order to avert catastrophe, four
strategies are required (efficiency & conservation, carbon capture &
storage, low-carbon fuels and renewables and biopstorage).  The good news is
that the technology required to implement thse stratesies is either already
available or clearly on the horizon.  Our country is going forward with
strategies. Unfortunately one plan to reduce use, is not financially
feasible for the poor.
US (gov't and many people) is ignoring it and hoping it'll go away.  China
and India are worsening the situation. Fools not taking advantage of passive
energy - their sunlight. They're starting their indusrrial revolution;
counter-productive to where this world should be going. Should be educating
and employing their people in these initiatives, instead of employment in
coal mines.

Less is more. We each can make changes and put pressures on governments and
industries and countries..
Sorry for the rant. I see so many people having worsening of breathing
problems.
J

Sorry I am late to post my best wishes for you George ...
I haven't been watching the news group lately as I have had 'issues' so I
missed your post!
Welcome back to 'the land of the living';
I hope your recovery, now that you are home is smooth and uneventful,
especially with decreasing your pred level, I know that can be a tough
order!
Take good care of yourself and I will be sending my prayers your way!
hugs,
Shelagh
Lupus - Invisible in Plain Sight @ http://members.shaw.ca/tiderington

So sorry to hear of your new problem.  Good old prednisone    it does
help us out....Lots
of prayers are going from here      ruth