Darrin’s Condition

Greetings to you all!  So many wonderful saints have fervently prayed for my health and my family and I am truly grateful.  Many have asked me to explain what it is I am fighting.  So,  I thought I would post the basic information about what I’m struggling with on our church web site, as well as try to keep all of you updated as I continue treatment.

WHAT IS PAN?

I was diagnosed with Poly Artritis Nodosa (or PAN for short) on September 12, 2005. “Poly” stands for “many,” “Arteritis” stands for “inflammed arteries,” and “Nodosa” stands for “nodules.” PAN is a serious blood vessel disease that is always fatal without treatment. Small and medium sized arteries become swollen and damaged when they are attacked by rogue immune cells. This swelling can then damage organs in the body. The most common organs that are affected are the nervous system, digestive system, kidney and heart.

The onset of this disease is gradual over weeks to months, and the initial symptoms are often nonspecific. The cause of this disease is suspected to be genetic, but that is not known for sure. However, this is not a contagious disease.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?:

Many people will often ask me what I’m feeling with this disease. The generalized symptoms include fatigue, weakness, loss of appetite, severe muscle aches and joint aches. So far I’ve had all of these in abundance, and quite often.  Most recently, I have experienced severe chest pain.  The doctors believe this is due to nodules and inflammation in the heart and lungs.  Most days require me to take pain medication to help relieve these symptoms and allow me to do my job.  Prednisone steroid helps to control the inflammation.

TREATMENT:

Without treatment, almost all (95%) affected patients die within 2-5 years. Most deaths occur as a result of kidney failure, heart, or gastrointestinal complications. However, treatement of PAN has improved dramatically in the past couple of decades. Patients are treated with high doses of steroids and immunosuppresive drugs. If diagnosed early enough the disease can be controlled, and sometimes cured. If patients respond well to treatement there is a 70% survival rate in a test period of 10 years.
I am currently being treated with Prednisone (10mg per day) and Cell Cept (3000 mg per day). I feel that my body is responding to the treatment, but I’ve still had some complications. The doctors continue to try to discover the treatment that will give me the best chance to overcome this illness.

MY CURRENT CONDITION:

The past three years has been a roller coaster ride.  Some days I’m up and feel pretty good.  Most days I’m in a great deal of pain and struggle to get through.  However, most recently, I’ve been feeling better overall.  The doctors see this as a very good sign.  It looks as if at the very least We are beginning to effectively manage the disease and a possibility that it could go into remission.

Through all of this, I have praised God for giving me the strength to continue to serve Him.  Most working days, whether I’m counseling folks, preparing a class or sermon, or even preaching and teaching, I’m doing it with a great deal of pain.  Pain has become a constant companion.  However, it has also taught me a great deal.  I have learned that health is truly a gift not a right.  That each day we can get up and take another breath is a blessing from our God.  And, as I’ve sought treatment in hospitals and doctors offices I’ve learned that there is always someone out there that feels worse than you do.

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You can contact Darrin at: darrincowger@yahoo.com