Welcome to Gayla's Attic! 
are about proving something... either to ourselves or to someone else." ~ Dr. Robert Anthony 
I think you all know me pretty well by now! There really isn't much else for me to share about myself, other than that I am a bare-foot country girl, born and raised here in this teeny-tiny south-central Oklahoma town. The idea of these two photos is to show how I appeared prior to diagnosis and treatment, and how I look now through the wonder of steroids! Observe and be amazed at the transformation! This should stand as a warning to all you athletes and body-builders who think steroids are such a good idea! Not!
Hopefully, these pictures will help you, my new friends, feel that you know me a little better, by seeing my face. (You know no one ever looks the way we have them pictured, so here's to shattering your mental image of me!)
Here I am in 1992....
How's this for a nice close-up shot? Compliments of my son's photography! Though there are several years between these two snap shots, my appearance changed this drastically within about 6 weeks of beginning Prednisone. You can obviously see how much fuller my face is and also the red color in my skin. Actually, when my face first "ballooned", it was much more drastic than it is now, or in this photo. It was like my face just swelled up like a a big, red balloon! People who had just seen me one week before were trying not to stare, while their mouths hung open and their eyes popped out! LOL! One friend, who couldn't hide her astonishment, came up to me and whispered, "Gayla! Are you all right?" I knew what she meant.... "How did your head get so swollen?!" LOL!! But a lot of the fullness went out of my face once my dose was reduced. However, six years later, I am still taking steroids and though my face isn't as round as it was, it is still round..... whereas it used to be long, thin, and drawn. The above photo taken when I was about 7 months pregnant looks better than I did just after Robert was born. I not only lost all the weight I'd gained during pregnancy within 2 weeks of delivery, I also dropped about an extra 15 pounds, making me weigh barely 100 pounds. I was "really" sick.
I am now happy to report, as of the summer of 2000, I've been able to reduce my Prednisone dosage to a mere 5 mg. a day, which automatically caused me to drop the steroid weight-gain. Within 3 months of the reduced dose, I was again wearing my old jeans! After 6 years, this has been a long-awaited relief. Unfortunately, even though I now weigh what I did before I began steroids, my body at 40 doesn't look like it did at 34.... wonder why????
Besides building web sites, creating graphics, and taking steroids, chemotherapy, and wide variety of other medications... I am a single mother of two beautiful children, I am unable to work outside my home because of Systemic Lupus and Multiple Sclerosis, but I continue pursuing my career as a freelance writer. I have several publishing credits behind me, including short stories, articles, and poetry. I have completed my first book, but have yet to get it sold.
You can read two of my published works at Issy's Diner, another of my web sites. One is a personal profile article -- an inspirational piece about my father's more than 10 year experience with cancer and chemotherapy, titled, This writing appeared in the September 1998 issue of Another story published in this magazine is an inspirational piece about gratitude for our children, titled, Along with the stories, essays, and poetry I have posted around IssyMissy's House, I have several other writings available online at various locations. For a complete listing of these online articles, please refer to the links below.
 ~The Lupus Book Committee Forum~~
~ Kenneth Curson Memorial ~~
Mr. Kenneth Curson was a wonderful teacher of mine, then of my daughter. He recently passed away at the young age of 54, due to cancer. The article I wrote for his family appeared in our local news paper and is posted on his Memorial page. You can also find links to my home town from this site!
 Issy's CLOSET
Issy's PHILOSOPHY PAGES
Issy's Diner ~ The Cafe' Chronicles ~ Articles, Poems, Essays, and Antidotes, all served up with "oldies" rock & roll. You will also find a display of my hometown Historical Sites with interesting bits of memorabilia. Issy/Argentinum presents ~ ImageQuest ~ Upon completion, you will find the philosophies and actions which have affored me character development and spiritual growth, and have upheld me through many trying experiences. Miss Issy's Inn ~ The Southern Hospitality House ~
look out sis, here goes!
When first we met? Well, I think I know; The best in me and the best in you Hailed each other because we knew That always and forever since life began ~ Our being friends Was part of God's plan.
The poem above is on a plaque Cindy gave to me many years ago, which has its own special place in my living room ~~ and in my heart. It is one of the most sentimental treasures I own.
Would you like a best friend? Start by being a friend!
I never dreamed I could be so fortunate to find another friend so close to my heart, yet God has been very good to me. And so now I have to add a spot for my newest best friend...
~ my Ethel ~ January 4, 1957
She has become so very close to my heart. I don't have a photo of her I can upload, but here's a picture of who she is to me...
 long before we ever met ~ in another time, in another place that neither of us can remember but both of us can feel.
I think we were friends
Over the last two years I've spent on the internet, I've had the awesome advantage of corresponding with so many wonderful people, it would take a whole page, and most of a day to name them all! Each of the personal lupus stoies posted in The Story Section have given me the opportunity to correspond with these precious people who also fight to live with lupus each day. There are many others, too, who've not sent in their stories, but who email me for answers, suggestions, and friendship. I am utterly amazed at the way God has used the internet and this web site to bring so many wonderful people into my life that I never would have had to the pleasure to meet otherwise, and to somehow, be helpful to each of you. The more I help others, the more I am helped in return, for you can't keep it unless you give it away.
There are two more very special friends I've become close to as a result of having lupus. I extend my deepest gratitudes to you, Randi and Heather, both of whom support me and offer me a shelter from the storm when I most need it! I love you all, and each of you are very special to me, each in your own unique ways.
but want to send your snap shots through e-mail? Or even be able to put them on your web site? NO PROBLEM!! Check out this great site!! Seattle FilmWorks
 The DEN Venture off elsewhere...
BACK TO TOP
 Like this Background Set? If you use it, please provide a link to Issy's Boutique. You may use a logo or simply spell out the title:
 Help, Support, and Much More!
     
Gayla Pledger ~ "IssyMissy" and "Miss Issy" are trademarks of Gayla Pledger ( © copyright - Gayla L. Pledger )
|
