The Trials, Victories & Adventures of Los PaulOS

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. ~ 1 John 4:18

Thursday, May 20, 2010

What's Happening To Me.. .

I guess.. a lot of you who have seen me around church and work are wondering what's been happening to me.
For the past 6-7 months, I have been on my crutches, for a bad sprain on my left ankle, that didn't heal after going to a number of doctors and physiotherapists and sinsehs.

X-Rays didn't reveal anything but only after an MRI it showed that my left ankle sustained some inflammation and tears that took a long time to heal, due to 2 preexisting conditions that I have in my body
a. Gout
b. Psoriasis

My left ankle took some time to heal and for the past 3-4 weeks, the left ankle got better, but 2 weeks ago, my right ankle gave way and started to swell up, I guess for having to overwork it since Nov 2009 until April 2010.

The diagnosis, Psoriatic Arthritis,
Basically what it is, I have an overactive immune system that causes my skin to break out in blots and patches of white and thick skin (termed as Psoriasis), and while that happens, there are also chemicals that are produced that attack the joints/ligaments. Due to old injuries, it has attacked my ankle joints.
With psoriasis I am not supposed to take anti-inflammatory medications that can cause my skin condition to flare up and then cause more pain. (Yep, it's a vicious cycle)

For the past 1 month I have been at home and trying to get better, but still not getting better. My parents have been praying for me and trying to get me to see different types of specialists.
And as of Monday this week we've decided to try to tackle this with some latest medication. It's gonna be expensive, but it will hopefully reduce this problem.

Psoriasis is incurable, but manageable with lifestyle adjustment, especially reduction of stress which will hopefully lead to the next phase in my life.

I have even stopped going to church on weekend celebrations because of the long walks within church and the "concerned" people who ask what's happening, without understanding that it is difficult to stand (while in pain) and explain to them the whole story. Some who ask me what has happened, usually then offer advise as if they are a specialist. It is emotionally painful to have to rehearse this story to people over and over again, sometimes even to the same people. For this reason I am avoiding certain persons in this period of time.
I have not lost faith by not going to church, if that's what some people are worried about.

I thank God for persons like my zone pastors, zone leaders, cell leaders and cell members who try to understand the problem and then take active action to pray for me.


It has been a difficult journey for Emily and I in the past few months, I have tried to remain strong, but it isn't easy when you are in pain and unable to sleep at nights due to the arthritic pain. My long leave ends on the 7th of June, but I am unsure if I will be well enough to walk or drive a car then, I pray that a solution will present itself.

As for now, I remain at home out of contact from people, except via the Cyberworld. I ask for prayer and understanding from all my friends.

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