My blogging friend EagleHawk mentioned in his recent post, My Absence from Blogging that he’s been to a Nephrologist and may have Renal Tubular Acidosis. We IM each other once in a while and tweet on Twitter too. He had told me that he wasn’t feeling well before this news. When I learned about RTA from him I was amazed.

I read the article he linked me to and learned that I have the symptoms of Type 1 RTA or Classical RTA. I have Sjogren’s Syndrome and Rheumatoid Arthritis and with the unknown and untreatable Hypokalemia it is looking more like this is why I have the Hypokalemia or low Potassium.

I didn’t say anything to my doctor about this and of course do not want another disease or medical condition, but I do want to feel better. The most astonishing thing about all of this is that out of all the people in the world I know someone through blogging who may have answered my “what if’s?”.

I don’t believe in luck or coincidence. I believe in God-incidences. If this is my diagnosis or even if it’s ruled out, this has helped me feel even closer to God through all of this.

photo credit: pyrator

I’ve just been told that I need to see a Kidney Specialist or a Nephrologist. In a way it’s progress as I hope to learn why I have Hypokalemia or low Potassium levels. In a way I’m afraid of what the outcome may be.

I do know, like most people with an undiagnosed medical condition, for me the unknown is very difficult to handle, especially when it affects your life in so many ways. I remember back when I was diagnosed with Myasthenia Gravis. I was so weak and couldn’t do anything that I needed to know what it was so that I could settle my mind and begin to fight it. I had doctors saying that I possibly had everything from a brain tumor to Multiple Sclerosis. Yes it was scary but what was it? If I needed surgery for a tumor, waiting wasn’t doing me any good.

I feel that way now. I want to go to the doctor and get what ever tests I need. When I get a diagnosis, I can then my soul and spirit into fighting whatever it is.

I heard on TV today that George Carlin had died. I was shocked of course. When I heard his age I was even more shocked to learn that he was 71. I thought of him as being so much younger. I guess that’s because I don’t want to think of myself as growing older.

I remember him as the Hippy Dippy Weather Man. I can’t tell you how many times my friends and I used to say, “Que pasa, man?” I was fortunate enough to see him live in Florida about 12 years ago. He was very funny and was good with the audience, doing skits that people asked for and playing up to us. He also had acting ability that he showed later in life. My favorite movie role was in Jersey Girl.

Children may not remember him from his Seven Words You Can Never Say on TV but rather from the Hippy character, Filmore that he played in the Disney Pixar film Cars. What is this world coming to?

From Luna Nina:

I say … and you think … ?

1. Goodbye :: See Ya!
2. Cage :: Animal
3. Buddy :: Pal
4. Magic words :: Please and Thank You (that brings back memories of teaching my children manners!)
5. Library :: Books
6. Fall in love :: Romance
7. Tense :: Nervous
8. Work! :: Out!
9. Empty :: Nest
10. Heat wave :: Florida