I am Loved

I had a birthday this month. I’m twenty four now.
I decided I wanted to go out to eat for my birthday this year. I haven’t really done anything the past couple years. I casually mentioned it to a few people. 16 people showed up to my favorite Thai place. I felt very loved.
I just found out [...]

Reflections

I began having symptoms in the spring of 2005, and since then I have not gone a single day without pain. It’s become such a normal experience for me. It’s become a part of me.
When I first started feeling pain I thought it was the worst pain I would ever feel. I couldn’t imagine ever [...]

Vacation

I’m going on my first trip since I became sick.
I’m all sorts of nervous. I wrote an email to another blogger who responded with this post.
http://typeawithra.wordpress.com/2008/09/16/traveling-with-ra-part2/
I’m traveling from Texas to Oregon with my father and new step mom. They are going for a church conference, and thought I could use a break. So they are letting me [...]

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Stress

Arthritis and Stress: The Reverse Cause and Effect
People with arthritis must confront the same kinds of stress as everyone else. Additionally, living with chronic arthritis creates another medley of stressful problems. Chronic arthritis adds the stress of pain, fatigue, depression, dependence, altered finances, employment, social life, self-esteem and self-image.
During stressful times, the body [...]

What would I do different?

What would I do different, knowing what I know now? (Ill keep this strictly R.A. related, or I’d be here all night)
Knowing what I know now, I would have stolen, cheated, begged, borrowed, scammed; done whatever it took to get myself proper medical care when I first learned about all this. They always say how important [...]

Rheumatoid Arthritis and Religion

And here it is. In case anyone was wondering what I find to be the most frustrating part of chronic illness, I’ll tell you. It’s not the pain. It’s not the inability to do the simplest things. It’s not even the feeling of having your life on hold. The single worst thing is the way people [...]

A different sort of pain

Today I was hit by a car.
Ha. Ok, So maybe the story isn’t quite that dramatic. But I was injured. And there was a vehicle involved. In fact, it was highly embarrassing. And now I am in a large amount of pain. And for the first time in years, its not because of my R.A.
I [...]

It’s not me. It’s you.

OK, maybe this is selfish of me. But I just going to go ahead and say it.
I am so unbelievably sick to death of people.
I feel like I spend my days taking care of everyone else. I have had an awful week. Full of pain, lack of sleep, and extreme nausea. I just want to [...]

Disability

Disability- what a nasty word.
a physical or mental handicap, esp. one that prevents a person from living a full, normal life or from holding a gainful job.
I cant even attempt to explain the hell that comes with dealing with applying for Disability. I cant, and I wont even attempt it here. Its something you have [...]