Hello there, friends. My bronchoscopy cytology and surgical pathology reports came back, and it seems that Charlotte, my right lung, is indeed experiencing complications of Sjögren’s syndrome, my autoimmune disease. This is more or less what was suspected. I’ll see my surgeon in person at my pulmonary appointment on Monday (I’ve only spoken with him on the phone); I suppose I’ll come away from that meeting with specifics.

One of my questions is did the event of aspirating the vitamin lead to this autoimmune involvement, or was the autoimmune involvement already in my lung when it happened? What is the correlation, exactly? Because all of this started when that vitamin got into my airway and landed in my lung. I have many questions, actually. I’ll come back here next week with the answers, for those of you following and interested in this situation!

Also, speaking of Sjögren’s, it so happened that the 23rd of this month (three days ago) was WORLD SJÖGREN’S DAY. Sjögren’s syndrome is a chronic, systemic autoimmune disease for which there is no cure, and it has its very own day in order to raise awareness and funding for research.

Of course I had to represent by wearing a Sjögren’s t-shirt. It garnered me some looks at the grocery store, but I didn’t get any direct inquires. Who’s to say that no one went and looked up “Sjögren’s” later, though? I’ve done that. I’ve gone home and Googled mysterious words on t-shirts. Bumper stickers, too. I can’t be the only curious person who learns things from messages others display on their persons and cars, now, can I?

And here’s an everyday appearance one!

Sjögren’s Syndrome Warriors – NEVER Underestimate Our Strength.

Those of you dealing with chronic illnesses, especially ButYouDontLookSick illnesses, I see you. We are in this together.

Thank you so much for reading, as always, my friends. I hope you all have a splendiferous week ahead. Stay safe out there!