Larisa Alexandrovna has serious health challenges. Please send positive vibes.

[HamdenRice]

The wonderful investigative blogger, Larisa Alexandrovna, has recently developed some very serious health challenges.

Please send her positive vibes, meditations, prayers or positive mental energies. From her blog:

http://www.atlargely.com/2007/04/on_a_personal_n.html#comment-65212308

On a personal note...
As most of you know, I have a rare form of Lupus called MCTD, which has some overlap features of Scleroderma (which in my case has been mild and limited to my feet). Eventually with MCTD one of the main disease processes will take over. We had always believed it would be SLE and full renal involvement, as I have had the most problems with my kidneys. That is the most common form of Lupus. With proper care, this form can be controlled and does not need to be life threatening.

Recent developments in my health, primarily with my esophagus, raise the even more frightening possibility that CREST Scleroderma or the Difuse form, might in fact become the dominant disease. Although there are other possibilities of SLE or the effects of SLE that would explain my recent inability to swallow and other symptoms, I am not as worried about full blown SLE as I am about full blown Scleroderma.

In any case, tomorrow afternoon I have to go in for a gastro-biopsy to determine if Scleroderma is indeed taking over, which would then show internal organ involvement - not good. I am obviously hoping that it is not. I cannot avoid having some skin related symptoms of Scleroderma, and I do, as this is a feature of MCTD. But I have known people with CREST and Difuse Scleroderma, and I would not wish such a thing on my worst enemy.

Anyway, I will likely not be blogging much for the next few days. I just wanted to let you folks know what was going on and ask for your warm vibes and prayers. No pity party, just warm vibes and prayers.

And if you can, please support Lupus and related auto-immune disease research.

<end quote>

PS Thanks to the Cannonfire blogger for the heads up.

[helderheid]

1. positive vibes (and a rec) on the way

[Tuesday_Morning]

83. Rooting for you!

[MADem]

2. Kick, with sympathy. NT

[sabra]

3. La_La you are in our thoughts...

:kick:

[salin]

46. Prayers, good thoughts, good energy vibes... all being sent to La La.

[Warpy]

4. Sympathy with complete understanding

I wouldn't wish it even on Cheney. Or Dobson. Or Phelps. Or O'Reilly.

Well, maybe Phelps or O'Reilly.

[blm]

5. WE are with you, dear la la.....

you are in our thoughts now and forever in our hearts.

[Sapphire Blue]

6. K&R # 5, w/hugs for Larisa.

:kick: ... to the Greatest Page!

:hug: :loveya: :grouphug: :loveya: :hug: ... to Larisa.

[magellan]

7. Biting back the concern

...and sending only positive thoughts and strength LaLa's way.

K&R

[Jack Rabbit]

8. ( )

[havocmom]

51. Indeed

[Synnical]

9. Thinking of you, Larisa n/t

K&R

[bear425]

10. Larisa, I will be thinking about you.

I hope that you get a good diagnosis and a speedy recovery. :hug:

[ancient_nomad]

11. Prayers and All Best Wishes.....

to you, Larisa!

[doublethink]

12. Thoughts, Prayers and Love .....

for our Larisa. :grouphug:

[wisteria]

13. Prayers and best wishes. n/t

[JackRiddler]

14. Here's hoping for the best for Larisa, a great person, writer and fighter.

- Nicholas Levis

[Roland99]

15. We *heart* Larisa!

I still want to have your babies!

:rofl:




Get well soon!

[rumpel]

16. sorry to hear that....

sending healing vibes

[Cabcere]

17. Hugs, thoughts, and prayers for Larisa

:hug: Be well.

[Catherine Vincent]

18. Thinking positive thoughts for you, lalarawraw.

:hug:

[garybeck]

19. Larisa, you are

a patriot
a pioneer
a caring person
a hero

you put your career, your livelihood, your reputation, on the line almost daily. you have done so much to help get the truth out to the people who are otherwise in the dark on the facts.

i hope and pray for your good health. not only because the country needs you, but moreso just because you are a good person and you deserve to live a happy, pain-free life.

Love, peace, and health

Gary

[annabanana]

20. DEAR LaLa. .

I am sending my very best wishes and warm vibes for the very best results..

[Eurobabe]

21. Autoimmune disease SUCK, I have autoimmune thyroiditis

and there is no known cure for it. Eventually it kills off your thyroid gland completely. You are dependent on medication for the rest of your life.

And having one autoimmune disease increases the likelihood that you will develop others, like vitiligo, AI diabetes (Type 2), AI hepatitis, AI adrenal insufficiency, etc. Lupus is perhaps one of the most destructive autoimmune disorders, with far reaching consequences.

K & R for more autoimmune support and research. Want to do something? Write to your congress critters to support the cause. http://www.aarda.org/

[blm]

33. Thanks for directing us to that site. Practical steps to take in honor of you both.

.

[Eurobabe]

34. Do it for Larisa and all those suffering from AI's

Mine is treated and I feel fine, but thanks for the kind words. :hug: I have such empathy for others who have autoimmune disease(s) that are not so easily treatable as AI thyroid disease.

[blm]

37. I have a niece in her 30s in last stages of MS.

It is indeed heartbreaking.

[leveymg]

22. LaLa - You're in my thoughts,

as always.

[librechik]

23. dear lala take care

:loveya:

I recently escaped a diagnosis of Lupus/Scleroderma--I instead have some milder auto immune chronic thing that nobody can identify as yet--It is very scary and uncomfortable, though not near as severe as you describe.

--I always think of your courage and fighting spirit whenever I hear your name--I know you will prevail.

Blessings

Debra

[robertpaulsen]

24. Take care, Larisa.

You will definitely be in my thoughts. Here's to positive vibes and good health:

:loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya::loveya:

:hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug::hug:

[Richard Steele]

25. Good vives for a great DUer, upstanding citizen, and all-around fine human being!

[shance]

26. Am so sorry to read this! Please keep us posted.

And let us know if there is anything we csn do from here.

XO

[Maestro]

27. Positive vibes sent to you and Larisa!

:hug:

[Junkdrawer]

28. Best Wishes...(*shakes head* so many auto-immune victims lately)...n/t

[entanglement]

29. I wish her a speedy recovery

n/t

[Kurovski]

30. Larisa, you have my prayers and hopes that strength and will of the spirit overcome the challenges.

:hug: :loveya:

Bless you, beautiful one.

[rman]

31. .

[Morgana LaFey]

32. We're hoping for the BEST of news when you return, Larissa

Sending warm, healthful thoughts to one of -- perhaps THE -- brightest lights in journalism.

[KoKo]

35. ((((Good Vibes)))) and prayers your way, Larissa.

We will all be thinking of you and looking for an update. :grouphug:

[Cleita]

36. I'm sending healing energy her way. We can't lose one

of DU's treasures to this disease. Tell Lala to get better. We need her out there in the trenches.

[Tigress DEM]

38. This is so sad.

We read each others words and get right in each other's faces on the web, see the soul through the eyes of their thoughts and yet we do not KNOW each other's battles until they become HUGE because most of us are so concentrated on the war that MUST be won to make this a country where people have the time, resources and permission to find answers to these diseases that take away our bright lights.

Even missing her words for a time is a loss to DU.

Thoughts and prayers to Larisa and her whole family who has already suffered too much.

[windbreeze]

39. positive thoughts to you

and wishes for the best...
wb

[kohodog]

40. Be well Larisa

My thoughts are with you.

[SeattleGirl]

41. Good thoughts coming your way, Larisa

:hug:

[Javaman]

42. From a fellow auto-immue issue sufferer, hang in there! Much good thoughts to you! nt

[dogday]

43. I will be thinking of you and wishing you good

thoughts and best wishes that all will turn out ok... :hug:

[MorningGlow]

44. Sending white light for good news

Healing energies too--hang in there, Larisa.

[Cooley Hurd]

45. Jeez, Larisa, a helluva time to get sick, with Nero Bush's Rome burning and all...

:hi:Get better, lala!:hug:

[hwmnbn]

47. LaLa Rawraw has always been a must read for me......

more than positive vibes are heading her way. My appreciation for her talent and dedication, and my hopes that she recovers real soon.

[MasonJar]

48. I am praying very loud for you, Larisa!

[Disturbed]

52. Positive thoughts to you

and wishes for the best.

[starroute]

49. Word's come through that the tests went well

No sign of the lupus getting worse or causing additional complications. Larisa's health is always fragile, and she's been feeling miserable for the last month, but it's nothing they can't treat.

[NEOBuckeye]

50. Sending Positive Light and Energy your way n/t

[caligirl]

53. I do wish you the best Larissa, I have read about these conditions

and you are in my thoughts.

[Burried News]

54. You have done more good than you will ever know Larisa.

Hugs and kisses to you. Let us know what we can do to help.

[autorank]

55. K&R. Keep fighting and searching. All the best...

We'll look forward to the blogging again when you're ready.

:hi:

[H2O Man]

56. Get well.

Your friends here are pulling for you.

[AwakeAtLast]

57. Here's a hug!

:hug: :hug:

O.K., that was two, but who's counting?

Sending thoughts and prayers your way! :hi:

[many a good man]

58. Secret admirer here

Love ya, LaLa. Be strong. Beat this thing. Yer the greatest.

[Spiffarino]

59. My boss' son has lupus

...and I've been donating every year her birthday. I'll kick it up a notch in your honor, Larisa.

[MagickMuffin]

60. LALALALALA, Please Take Care of Yourself ;=D

[Octafish]

61. All the best to you, Larisa!

Our thoughts and prayers are with you, dear Friend.

[Emit]

62. Sending good vibes your way right now! n/t

[ismnotwasm]

63. Warm thoughts, good vibes

An agnostic prayer--- (Yes, it's possible) Whatever I can sent her way.

[DemReadingDU]

64. Sending LaLa my thoughts and prayers too

[northofdenali]

65. Major pos-vibes - Lupus and Alzheimer's are linked, I didn't know that!

Just got done with 3 years of caring for my father-in-law, and his Alzheimer's got worse and worse..

A researcher-cousin said there is a link between AL's and Lupus!! Maybe this is why we should all back off being scared of major medical research. I'd gladly give my body if it helped prevent what happened to that magical, witty, intelligent, WWII Navy vet!!!

[TacticalPeek]

66. Tentatively good news:

"Larisa is on her way home from the hospital as I type. The testing went well, with no immediate evidence of Scleroderma! We have to wait for the biopsy, but the doctor thinks that things look good."

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=569668&mesg_id=569668

Keep on truckin'.

:kick:

[HughMoran]

76. It was good to read that before I posted

I'll hope for the best...

[HamdenRice]

67. Thanks everyone for sending Larisa positive vibes

and putting this at the top of the Greatest Page where everyone could see it and contribute positive energy!

[Chemical Bill]

68. Larisa - that warm feeling in your heart...

is from us, all your friends and admirers.

Bill

[Blue_Tires]

69. ttt

i hope somehow everything works out

[Jcrowley]

70. Best wishes

healing and health.

Truth-teller.

K&R

[ClayZ]

71. Gotcha in my Prayers!

:hug:

[WilliamPitt]

72. Holding you in the light, hero.

We're with you.

[femrap]

73. Larisa, I'm sending you healing, loving, and

soothing thoughts. I admire you so....take good care.

[midnight]

74. Hugs, and peace.

[Erika]

75. Positive thoughts lovingly sent! n/t

[Lugnut]

77. I lost a niece to SLE last year

Good vibes heading your way, Lala.

[LeahD]

78. I love your work, Larisa......

Please be gentle with yourself. Sending the warmest of vibes and heartfelt prayers.

[EC]

79. Wishes for favorful results

hope you'll be okay...

[nam78_two]

80. K&r for Larissa/nt

[Stand and Fight]

81. You're in my prayers and in my thoughts...

Sending positive vibes your way, and visualizing a positive outcome.

Keep your head up, Ms. Alexandrovna... :hug:

[calimary]

82. Oh man! Larisa - stay strong! We will keep you in our prayers,

certainly! Gotta light the green candle (for healing, health, and renewal).

[spuddonna]

84. lala, you are in my thoughts and prayers....

Love and peace to you!! :hug:

[Nothing Without Hope]

85. Gentle hugs to our wonderful (((((((((Larisa))))))))

Be well, LaLa :grouphug:

[Mnemosyne]

86. Good thoughts and hopes for you Larissa.

:hug:

[Fovea]

87. Oh La La

I am doing that thing where I ask the Gods to do me this favor, standing over a libation in my back yard.

Hwas thu hal, you brilliant, wonderful woman, you!

[saracat]

88. Good thoughts and prayers for you LaLa!

[tom_paine]

89. Hopes, prayers and positive vibes to you, Larisa

[Raksha]

90. Sending love and prayers to our beloved Larisa. n/t

[SalmonChantedEvening]

91. All the good thoughts and love I have are yours Larisa

May they keep you strong.

The warmest of vibes, and all the hugs in the world.

SCE

[tbyg52]

92. Best hopes for a good outcome! nt

[cascadiance]

93. Larisa, take care!

Your health is the most important. We're going to be needing you soon, and in good form to take on this corrupt crime family as they get more and more cornered, but make sure you take care of your health so that you can be there for the long haul, not only for yourself, but for all of us!

I know I've been trying to cut corners on health issues too lately to try and keep myself on top of other responsibilities, and ultimately I've paid for it too in ways that I'm having to deal with now too. Fortunately nothing as serious as what you are facing. Good luck and take care!

[DinahMoeHum]

94. Love and prayers headed your way.

:hug::hug::hug:

[lala_rawraw]

95. Thank you, thank you, thank you

You guys, I am sitting here reading this with tears running down my face. I don't know how to thank everyone for such kindness, but I will give it a try.

On my way to the clinic yesterday I saw something I had not seen in years, a hearse, driving next to me on the highway. The idiotic drama queen that I am, I took that as an omen of something either going wrong with the procedure or something terrible to be found during the procedure. At the clinic, when the nurse was attempting to insert the IV needle, my blood vessels kept collapsing and she had to keep poking. I took that as an omen, the idiotic drama queen that I am. But once the IV was in, I pulled out my Sidekick and attempted to access DU from where I was, seemingly in another world.
I knew I could not post anything because I don’t keep my passwords on my handheld. I was only hoping to just see familiar nicknames, news of the world, personal anecdotes, and everything else that makes this vibrant community so familiar and comfortable for me. It took ages to load and in the end, I got no further than the header, but I tried all the while feeling the various pokes and prods, and even as each idiotic drama queen fear would flood me – I kept trying to “be” with all of you.

Most of us don’t know one another, not even the basics about each other. Yet regardless of who we are - some in the public eye, some anonymous - and despite all of our various differences on any number of issues, despite age, location, gender, ethnicity, personal hardships, professions, education and everything that can possibly differentiate one human being from another – there is a connection that is very powerful and very comforting. Sitting in that sterile, freezing, lonely place of fear, I tried to connect to you because despite all of these differences, we have a single underlying passion that drives us – our humanity. Through that there is hope and through hope everything is possible. I may have not been able to reach you, but you reached me because even though I could not connect, I came close enough to feel some sense of hope and some lifting of my idiotic drama queen fears. While I did get good news in that the doctor did not find any overt or immediate signs of Scleroderma or any visible evidence of Lupus related damage to my esophagus and stomach, there is still these long few days until the biopsy results come back. From now until then seems like an eternity, but your kind words have made the waiting bearable and tolerable. I cannot think of how I can repay your kindness and your support through this horrible time. This disease (Lupus/MCTD) is something that I have had for 11 years now, and I have tried my best to not let it define me or become the summary of who I am. I try to go about my business as though I were well and fully capable of achieving everything, but sometimes, the reality catches up to me, and I find myself feeling vulnerable. Thank you so very much for being there during the vulnerable, idiotic-drama-queen fear of it all. I simply don’t have enough words to thank you properly.

your friend, LA

[HamdenRice]

96. Hope it cheered you up, Larisa

It's kinda funny because we have never communicated here at DU, but I am a regular reader of your reporting and commentary. In fact, I wasn't aware until about a week ago that "the" Larisa Alexandrovna was a DU member, and began to wonder why DUers referred to stories by Larisa Alexandrovna as lala_rawraw, at which time I had a dawning confusion that there was a connection between the Larisa I read elsewhere and DU's lala_rawraw!

It was only after starting this thread that it became clear to me that these were all references to the same person.

Anyhoo, when I saw that you were ill on Cannonfire and read your blog I was shocked and saddened. My ex-wife had a long bout with Lupus so I understand how unpredictable and devastating the disease can be.

Interestingly enough, my ex was completely cured, or put in permanent remission as they say, so keep up your spirits and we'll do our part by continuing to send our best wishes and positive thoughts! So glad that the news so far is good!

BTW, in a lot of traditions, omens are to be interpreted in the exact opposite of their most obvious meaning. For example, in southern Africa where I have lived, people hope that it will rain on their wedding day. So the hearse meant you will have a long and healthy life.

[myrna minx]

97. Please know that we are all with you, Larisa.

You are never alone. Ever. :hug: You have thousands of people cheering you into good health.

[Blue_Tires]

98. ttt nt