| Date of Birth |
1946 |
| Occupation |
Executive Assistant |
| Hobbies/Activities |
Artist - specializing in watercolour
landscapes |
| What condition have
you been diagnosed with? |
1. Systemic lupus -
since 1970
2. Morphea - thickening of tendons and skin (please look this
up if you don't know the condition - it is horrific and very
frightening)
3. Renal tubular acidosis - calcification of kidneys
4. Raynaud's syndrome - restricted blood flow to fingers |
| How long have you been diagnosed
with this condition? |
1. Systemic lupus - since 1970
- but only diagnosed in 1980
2. Renal tubular acidosis - diagnosed in 1986
3. Morphea - diagnosed in 1998
4. Raynaud's syndrome - diagnosed in 2004 |
| How would you explain your diagnosis? |
Every new diagnosis is very frightening.
Over time I've learned to be positive and have found that
a positive mental attitude, refusal to quit, and a chin-up
frame of mind has helped me stabilize each illness. The most
important thing of all was my marriage in 1981 to the world's
most wonderful man who has stood beside me, cheered me up,
and cheered my every achievement as if I was a superstar.
He has brought me happiness, stability, and confidence. |
| What kinds of things about your
diagnosis affect you: |
|
| - Physically? |
-I cannot bend my fingers
or wrists.
-I get cold numb fingers.
-I am not allowed in the sun at any time without Nr. 60 sunblock
-I must ensure I never get tired or stressed. |
| - Psychologically? |
I've learned to deal
with my ailments and try not to worry. |
| - General Quality of Life? |
I have a great quality of life
and can do most things I want to. |
| What Treatments are you receiving
& how were they working? |
-I take a minimum dose of plaquenil
for the lupus - which is stable and quiescent.
-I take bicarbonate of soda for the RTA.
-Prescription antacid for Raynaud's - which affects the stomach
also.
-They seem to be working fine.
|
| How did you hear about Bikram
Yoga? |
My daughter dragged me kicking
and screaming into a session because she knew it would help
me. Laura was my first instructor and gave me endless encouragement
and the confidence to return a second time - after which I
was hooked! |
| Did you have any fear or tendencies
about the yoga? |
Yes, I was very worried about the
heat and whether it would be too strenuous, I also worried
that I was too old to be attempting it. |
| How long have you been practicing
the yoga? How often per week? |
About four months - three times
a week |
| What changes have
you noticed in yourself that you believe are a result of you
practicing the yoga? |
a. I am absolutely
astonished that, after only four months, my wrists are flexing
for the first time in 10 years. I can "walk" on
all fours with my hands flexed - something I never thought
I'd ever be able to do.
b. I notice a change in my fingers (which are quite bent
and disfigured), they seem more supple.
c. I don't seem to get the freezing cold fingertips associated
with Raynaud's syndrome.
d. Stomach acid production appears to be much lower.
e. Dark marks on my face and body associated with lupus
and morphea are disappearing.
f. The dreadful headaches which are an integral part of
lupus have disappeared to the point I can go 2 - 3 weeks
without painkillers.
g. The tiredness associated with lupus is being replaced
with lots of energy.
|
| Has any of your conventional
treatment changed since practicing the yoga? (i.e. discontinuation
of medication) |
Use of painkillers is dramatically
reduced. |
| What would you
like to tell people who are feeling hesitant about trying
the yoga? |
After 40 years of
coping with lupus and coming to terms with it, I never believed
it possible that something like yoga could make me feel this
great and reduce my symptoms so dramatically.
The tightness in my skin and tendons that was caused by
the morphea is much better. Four years ago I couldn't get
out of the bath tub unassisted - now I can do Standing Bow
(not very well, but I'm getting there!)
Bikram has truly changed my life - thank you.
|
