Try40

A year and a half ago, someone I love very much committed suicide. Years of untreated depression and alcoholism culminated in the loss of an incredible person who absolutely did not have to die. I can't go back and undo the terrible loss for a family and a worldwide community of friends and loved ones, but I can and will make a difference for the people in my own community who depend on services like those offered by NAMI Mid-Carolina.

Cocky cheering for the 2013 NAMIWalk

I live with depression and anxiety. I LOVE people with depression, anxiety, OCD, addictions, schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder, and more. 1 in 4 Americans are living with mental illness - which means chances are, so do you... either yourself, or someone you love.

We're not in this alone, and funding the mental health services in our Midlands community can help ensure that nobody who needs help has to feel alone or go untreated.

Every dollar helps. Every step counts. All we need to do is TRY. I'l be using the hashtag #Try40 for my walk, as I try to make it the entire 5k at age 40. :)

Yes, that's right, I'm about to turn 40. If you are inclined to give me a gift, please consider making a donation to sponsor my first EVER 5k (at age 40!) instead. You can also sign up to join Team TryJen, and come out and walk with me at the last public event at the old Bull Street "Asylum" before it is demolished and new construction begins.

Sponsor me: http://namiwalks.nami.org/jbb
Join Team TryJen: http://namiwalks.nami.org/tryjen

THANK you.

Wednesday Infusion Day

Tomorrow I'm starting a new treatment in the hopes of improving the symptoms of a couple of my autoimmune diseases, specifically w Rheumatoid Arthritis and Ankylosinwg Spondylitis.

I have been self-injecting Enbrel weekly since May, and while it has helped (and I had not realized how much it helped until I stopped, natch) it just didn't seem to help "enough". So, tomorrow I start infusion-based therapy with another biologic, a drug called Remicade, which is delivered via IV and can take anywhere from three to eight hours to administer. I know!

I'm really nervous. I'm terrified of some of the side effects (heaviness on my chest? Aiiie), "serum sickness", and of course my constant fear about liver damage and dying from a common cold. :P That said, I'm also hopeful, even as I'm afraid to be too hopeful. 2012 has been the worst ever for me as disease-related pain is concerned, and I am just so ready for the pain to be over. Or, if not over, at least managed.

I'm lucky to have a friend with the same doctor and same treatment, so I am armed with some pretty good tips for staying comfortable: I'm bringing a blanket, wearing short sleeves, I have things to do in case I end up awake for the whole thing (I'm staying up late tonight to try to sleep through the infusion), and more. I would never have guessed, so I'm really grateful to her for sharing.

I am, as you probably could have guessed, considering liveblogging the experience, but I'll have to wait and see how I feel. I'll keep you posted.