It has been a while since I have written in my blog. Not much has changed but that can be a good thing. I am still taking the iron binder and at least my ferritin numbers are stable. They really have not come down but at least they are not still rising. I am hoping the numbers will begin to come down because they are dangerously high.

The September meeting of the Amyloidosis Support Group/Texas Area was Saturday, September 9th and the program was wonderful. Often we hear that people who have Alzheimer’s have amyloid, and this is frightening when one of my diseases is Amyloidosis. In the q & a period, a member asked if there is a stronger possibility of someone with Amyloidosis having Alzheimer’s. The answer was that these are two different types of amyloid. The definition of amyloid is pertaining to or resembling starch. It is a starchlike protein-carbohydrate complex that is deposited abnormally in some tissues during certain chronic disease states, such as amyloidosis, rheumatoid arthritis, tuberculosis and Alzheimer’s disease. So, there are many types of amyloid but this was good to hear because I have lost my mother, two aunts and an uncle to Alzheimer’s disease. This does not mean I will not get the disease but it does mean that my amyloid is a different type. I must be thankful for any good news that comes along.

I just went to a visitation for dear friends who lost their son and have another dear friend who lost a young grandson awhile back. I think a loss like that would be such a terrible mountain to climb. It makes my struggle seem so much less because the loss of a child must be so difficult.

I have friends who ask me what do I do all those hours when I am at dialysis and in the hospital. Mind over matter does help keep me sane. I keep occupied the hours I am required to take treatments by lots of means. The bag I carry everywhere is full of wonderful things to help pass the time away. I work crossword puzzles, work number puzzles, read, do my nails, talk on the cell phone; listen to my CD player with headphones, etc. Dialysis has individual TVs and that is good. Not much on but do keep up with Fox News, weather, a few garden shows and other how-to shows. When I am at the hospital and want to get up, I can walk around endoscopy. I just hook my tubing around "George" and he rolls around with me anywhere I go. Thank goodness because it would be bad if he did not and the tubing pulled my catheter out. It is sometimes overwhelming but I always remember there is a better time coming and each present situation is just temporary. Everyone I deal with is great and we have become like members of an extended family.