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Thursday, October 25, 2012

Life with Lupus: In the Predni-ZONE


Logo from this blog.

An update as I'm living in the predni-ZONE. This is my second round of prednisone in my fall, 2012, flare. The first wasn't strong enough, so the dosage is doubled. At the 8 week mark of being housebound, I'm looking at 4 weeks in the zone. Hopefully, the flare cycle will be broken! 

There's a love/hate relationship with prednisone, that's for certain. As a powerful steroid, it has the potential to heal. It removes pain. But along with the: "I love, love, love how this works!" is the: "I hate this drug of evil evilness!" Here's the dialogue that might be exchanged these coming weeks. The response is always: "I'm in the predni-ZONE."

"It's 1 AM. You are still up?"
"It's 3 AM. You are starting your day?"
"Really? You can't concentrate?"
"Why are there cuts on your hands?"
"Are you drinking pickle juice?"
"I think your face has grown round as the moon."
"Why are you crying?"

All of this calls for the big guns. I finished reading A Place of Healing by Joni Eareckson Tada which was wonderful and encouraging. 
Place of Healing
But now I return to A Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Jeremiah Burroughs. 
The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment by Burroughs, Jeremiah published by The Banner of Truth Trust Paperback

Ah, that bestseller from 1651. I began the work nearly 2 years ago. I'm starting over with a 99 cent Kindle download! 

Here's where I posted highlights previously:

Contentment is the sweet, inward, quiet, gracious, frame of spirit which freely submits to and delights in God's wise disposal in every condition. Burroughs

Of course, that includes the predni-ZONE. I hope to add more chapter notes to encourage myself. Thanks to everyone for the cards, notes, gifts, and visits. I appreciate you each very much. Onward!
 

5 comments:

  1. *crying* Oh Lorie! I did not know the horrible Lupus was bringing you low. Arden's secretary (Kim) is battling too right now and has the same relationship with predni- as you do.
    Excellent books to be reading...our Ladies' fellowship is going through a book on contentment now. I will be praying for you dear one. XOXOX

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  2. Thank you both! Prayers for Kim, Dani.

    And your smiles always lift me, LW!

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  3. Lorie,
    I can absolutely identify with this post. So sorry that you are going through this flare, thus living in the Predni-zone. I have had several rounds of the confusion, restlessness, mind racing, ravenous hunger, irritable, "boy you've gained a lot of weight" Prednisone. I like to call it my "Prednisone Cloud" that follows me around, but being in the 'zone' has a nice ring to it ;-)

    Will be lifting you up in prayer, dear sister. For daily grace, strength, healing and most of all contentment.

    "He who gave His only begotten Son for you, will never withhold anything from you which is really for your good. Lean back on this thought and be content. Say to yourself in the darkest hour of trial, ‘This also is ordered by Him who gave Christ to die for my sins. It cannot be wrong. It is done in love. It must be well.’" - JC Ryle

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  4. Is that not the perfect quote of all time? Thank you, Kim!

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