Elizabeth’s Story

Site created on April 2, 2019

So pretty much everyone I know, knows about my autoimmune disease called mixed connective tissue disease. It is an overlap disease of lupus, RA, Polymyositis and scleroderma. I get the joy of having parts of every disease.  So far it has started to destroy my lungs with interstital lung disease, Addison's disease ( my adrenals don't work at all without steroids), Gastroparesis, constant joint and muscle pain and extreme exhaustion.  The exhaustion is so bad that it is undescribable.  Most recently I started chemo with a drug called rituxan which takes 6-8 weeks to take effect. This drug is kinda a last ditch effort on stopping this disease from destroying more organs.  Recently I have been vomiting badly and my body is swelling up. I'm having heart and blood pressure issues. Doc says if I were to ever stop Prednisone for the rest of my life, I will die.


 My husband has been staying up late at night to work when he has to take care of me or the kids or both some days.  He took our vows very seriously and has stuck by me no matter what.  However due to this disease, constant doctors appointments, and chemo it has taken a financial toll on us. Although not extremely bad yet, we don't want it to get to that point.  If you just want to stay updated or want to donate, either way I appreciate you caring about me and my family.  Thanks for reading

Newest Update

Journal entry by elizabeth ferrick

Well I have a lot to tell you all. After my upper GI ,the doc discovered that I have several ulcers at the bottom of my esphogus and some in the middle. I also have a hernia there and my esphogial sphincter is not working properly. I'm trying the last medication to try and treat all this however I can't sleep flat and it doesn't seem to be working so the last option is to have a gastric bypass surgery to fix the hernia and sphincter to keep bike from entering my esphogus.
On another note, I went to medical school of South Carolina ( great doctors) and basically they said there is nothing else they or anyone else can do for me. I really haven't responded to any of the medications to take away my pain. The best thing to do is to keep on the meds to prevent more organ damage to my lungs and kidneys.  I have to keep an eye on right side of my heart for worsening symptoms, keep getting my lungs tested  to make sure my lungs aren't getting worse and keep an eye on my kidneys. On another note I have gained 35lbs since Xmas and I'm the heaviest I have ever been in my life for no reason besides my adrenals not working at all.
So now that I know nothing is going to change physically he only  thing I can change I'd my daily mindset and try to live the best that I can. I have come to realize I will just have good days and bad days and take them as they come. That's all I can do. My mind is now in control and instead of crying about hoping I will get better I realize now that I won't, I will just have those good and bad days.  I'll pray, meditate or whatever you want to call it to try my best to have more good days than bad.
Thanks all for reading and caring
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