Pos or Neg, Pros and Cons

Well on top of the psoriasis I may also have lupus. A sucky disease to have, to be sure, but it would be an answer to the question that I've had for a little over five years now. I've had headaches, fatigue, itchy skin, bruising, gastrointestinal problems, muscle and joint pains and just general feeling like I'm coming down with the flu, over and over and over again. I had the blood tests taken last Friday and I'm waiting until Wednesday after Labor Day to call if I haven't heard anything. I'm kind of hoping it comes back negative, but kind of hoping it comes back positive. I went in on Friday thinking that I had the flu or maybe strep because my throat felt a little scratchy. The doctor looked at me, went to check something and came back saying she thought I might have lupus. My cheeks and nose were red like I had a sunburn and they felt hot, but I hadn't been outside in over a week, plus it had been raining and overcast for two weeks straight. I had only been outside long enough to walk to my car and then walk from the car into the doctor's office and I had sat in the air conditioning for more then twenty minutes before seeing her so I shouldn't have been hot, not to mention it was overcast outside. She brought another doctor in who said it also looked like a classic malar rash. I've been trying to convince myself since then that I just get hot easily. If it comes back negative I'm going to be upset because I'll be back at square one and not knowing what's wrong is frustrating. At this point it would almost be a relief to find out that I have lupus just so that I can know and they can give me something that might make me feel better. At least for a little while. I'm in my late twenties and I know that I shouldn't feel as run down and old as I feel. I should have energy and be enjoying life. I know I'm not depressed (I went ahead and ruled out mental things first because I had just had kids when all this started and wanted to make sure it wasn't postpartum depression or something like that). At first I was scared it might come back positive. I think I'm more scared now that it'll come back negative.
We recently found out that my son is allergic to guinea pigs, which is funny. We have two guinea pigs and he's scared of them, but I was holding one the other day and my son got on my lap. The guinea got in his face and within a few minutes my son had hives all around his lips and chin. I waited a few days and then took some shedded fur off of the guineas and rubbed it on his leg just to make sure it was the guineas and not something he ate and sure enough, within about two minutes he had hives breaking out in the exact spot. I gave him some Benadryl, washed his leg and put some hydrocortisone cream on his hives before sending him to bed. The hives were gone within twenty minutes. It's just crazy how fast he broke out. It's also a good thing that he's scared of them. As long as they don't give him any other problems I think it's okay to keep them as long as he doesn't come in contact with their fur, but once they kick the bucket we won't be getting anymore. My dreams of a guinea farm just went up in smoke ;-)
On the knitting front I finished three of my four projects for the Ravelympics. The darn Sweetheart Socks gave me trouble (as well as a week of near continuos sleep because it felt like I was coming down with the flu). I've now started on a sweater for my hubby. Or I should say I've started a sweater that I'm really probably going to wear more than him, but it's for him. My son wanted some "dark socks" that I've started as well. And I also have a pair of knee socks on needles to jazz up my daughter's school uniform. "Ruby" started school this last week and was really excited to be riding the bus this year. "Max" will be going to preschool and he can't wait. It starts this Friday, but he is bummed that he doesn't get to ride the bus. We keep reassuring him that he will next year.
Hubby had to go back to physical therapy for another round because he still can't bend his knee 90 degrees and is having pain. They may have to do exploratory surgery because he shouldn't be having pain at this point. On a funny note, his knee gave out as he was taking a bowl of Campfire stew out of the freezer (he was cooling it off for the kids) and it caused him to jerk and fling the stew all over the front of the refrigerator. We laughed for awhile about that one (or maybe I laughed and he gave me dirty looks..... I can't remember). I love my gimp.

Gearing for the Ravelympics

I think I may have overdone it and I'm getting nervous. To update, I was invited to Ravelry (online knitting community) and soon after found that they are holding the Ravelympics (a knitting version of the Olympics). I chose three events, the Sock Put, Shawl Relay and the Bag and Tote Backstroke. I have a total of four projects, two socks, one hobo bag and a shawl. I'm still waiting for my yarn for the shawl and the bag, but I will be able to work on the socks while waiting and I'm crossing my fingers that the rest gets here before I finish them. The socks alone will take about a week. I'll be lucky if I finish.
I can not begin to explain how much I love this site (Ravelry). It allows me to see all the projects that I have on the needles, as well as my stash and connects me to knitters the world over. Something that's very important here in Guam since knitters are few and far between. I'm thinking of starting a knitting club. Some well placed flyers on base may bring all the hidden knitters out of the woodwork for a once a week group knitting session. For now though, I am focused on the Ravelympics. My arms are going to be burnin'.