So I don't forget...

This post is for me. "Remembering" has never been my gift (!). If I don't write it down, I simply won't remember.

A variety of extra circumstances (lack of sleep, assignment deadline pressures, weather changes) is making it a little difficult for me to evaluate how well I tolerated this first dose of methotrexate. I will try anyway. I'm interested to see if there are patterns that I can tweak to make positive changes in the future.

Except for a little more RA pain, I ended the day feeling very good about how well I tolerated the methotrexate. (The pain is not likely related at all.) Increasing the dose, as ordered, by 50% (from 4 to 6 tablets) next week may produce different results, but I'm very encouraged about how well it's gone so far.

I was exhausted by early evening last night and in bed hours before my normal bedtime, but a busy day Thursday (Precious Life board meeting in the morning, multiple medical appointments in Ft. Meyers and shopping in the afternoon) and lack of sleep that night are likely the culprit.

When I went to bed last night, my right hand, feet and shoulders were hurting and though I slept well for the most part, I woke several times during the night with increasing pain in my knees making it difficult to bend or straighten my legs, so I was mentally prepared for the difficulty I had getting out of bed this morning.

Two hours and three prednisone later, I'm improving, but still  hurting. My biggest frustration with this is in not being able to get outside and walk on this delightfully cool morning. The sunshine keeps teasing me - popping in and out. I fully expect to be outside soon. Lord willing.

I'm sitting on the back porch looking out towards the bird feeders and the pond and my backyard swing. Our home on Pollywog Creek is surrounded by communities of immigrants and farm workers, and for the most part, they are hispanic. Music, loud and joyful, is drifting over from somewhere across the creek. There are drums and guitars, singing and clapping. I listen carefully. I don't recognize the tune or understand the language, but there is a sweetness to the music.

We often hear party music coming from that direction at night, but this is different - and it's mid-morning. Then I hear it. "Hallelujah"  "Hallelujah"

I'm reminded of the chorus lyrics of one of my favorite Kathy Troccoli song...

Oh praise Him all His mighty works
There is no language where you can't be heard
Your song goes out to all the earth
Hallelujah, hallelujah, hallelujah

And I love that Hallelujah is the language of God's people in English and in Spanish.

Hallelujah indeed!!!