New Year, New Worries?

Happy New Year!!!  This is the time of year that most people make resolutions, and a lot of those resolutions are to get healthy.  I know mine always is!  Of course, this year is no different.  But, the reason this year IS very different.  I have been having a lot of health issues the past month.  Yesterday, I had lots of blood work done, and an MRI of my ankle because of a painful lump that I have had for almost 2 weeks.  The blood work is testing me for Autoimmune diseases, and the MRI is to find out what the lump is. 

So, in order for me to be healthier this year, I have to figure out what is going on inside my body.  I may have been previously diagnosed with IgA Deficiency, and the blood work will confirm or deny that.  My mother says that I have been tested, but I don't remember it.  After some research on the subject, I think that diagnosis will be confirmed.  It is a deficiency that makes you prone to sinus infections, bronchitis, pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, and ear infections.  Yep, I have had trouble my whole life with these things.  It means I am more susceptible to these things, and I will get a worse case than most people, and I may need stronger, longer courses of antibiotics.  There is no treatment, or anything I can do about it, but be aware of it and not wait until I am half dead before I call the doctor.

I am also being tested for Lupus.  People with IgA Deficiency are more likely to have Systemic Lupus.  Because of the problems I have been having in the last month, this is also a good possibility. The blood work takes at least 7 days for this one, so now I have to wait.  I am so not good at waiting. 

Hopefully, the MRI will be read today, and I will get those results sooner rather than later.  Lumps never end well for people in my family, so I would love to have these results today, but we will see.

And I am not allowed to work out.  But, with cellulitis on my left knee, and a painful lump on my right ankle, it's not really a possibility anyway.  And I am trying to curb the stress eating, but honestly, i will be swallowing chocolate before I even realize that I am putting it in my mouth.

So.  What does all this mean?  I have no idea.  While I do not relish the idea of having multiple Autoimmune Disorders, I would like to have answers.  And information.  And ways to help myself.  So, I will wait, and I will handle any news I get with satisfaction of being able to help my body work as well as it can, whatever that may entail.  Happy New Year?  I think so!