Cowboy Up

I had a follow up with my surgeon this  week. So, we decided that the hip definitely needs to come out. He says it’s at the end of its life, and I agree. It’s also problematic in that it is keeping my new knee from getting straight. The only thing is that now that Im [...]

Is it finally over?

I finished my post surgery physical therapy. I’ve been doing physical therapy now for almost fourteen months. Almost continuously. So it feels good to be done for now.  My right knee never did get much straighter though. It’s still about ten degrees from straight while I’m standing. It’s frustrating, but it looks like something I’m just going [...]

Small setback

My R.A. is making my drawing class very difficult. While drawing, you need to use your whole arm. Not just your wrist. My professor keeps saying “Draw with your shoulder.” My shoulder wants to yell back “Leave me out of this!” Even the thirty second drawings have been hard for me. I’m trying to grin [...]

Hallelujah

I can take showers now. Honest to God, standing up, fifteen minute long normal showers. It’s been so long since I’ve been able to do that. I’m always on a shower seat or in a bath. I know its a very small thing, but it made me feel human again. It must be close to [...]

Back to school

I’ve been out of the loop due to a dodgy Internet card, but I’ve finally gotten a new one. Things have improved alot since I last wrote. My hip pain has decreased. A mixture of physical therapy and drugs are finally giving me some relief. I have been getting out alot lately. It still feels [...]

Ups and down

Its amazing how you can be on top of the world one week, and the next week, R.A. can bring you so far down. The initial relief I felt from my meds have slowly stopped working and Im in the midst of a hard core flare. The last few of my joints that haven’t been [...]

Who says stuff like that?

I had a bit of a setback these past couple of weeks. Both physically and emotionally. I’ve been trying to stay upbeat, but am still a bit down. The hip pain that I’ve mentioned seems to only get worse and worse. The option of another replacement has even been tentatively put on the table. It’s [...]

Where did the pain go?

My knee is healing so quickly! It was so stubborn at first so I thought it was going to be more difficult than the right knee. But some of the exercises I wasn’t even able to do with my right knee until week five, I’ve been able to do with the left within the first [...]

The Joys of Medication

Its been almost two weeks since I have been allowed to start taking my R.A. meds again. Namely methotrexate and Humira. I’ve had two doses of Methotrexate and one of Humira. This is my first attempt at Humira though. But I’m already loving the fact that I only have to have the injection every two [...]

Another New Knee II

Im finally beginning to feel like  myself again. It’s been eight days since my second total knee replacement. It’s been a rough week but Im finally emerging from the fog of medication and pain. In fact, today I only took a fraction of the pain medication that I have been on the past week. I [...]

Physical Therapy-Guest Post

Why Physical Therapy is Important There’s nothing more painful than an injury that requires a surgery, except the actual surgery and the recovery process of course. My brother-in-law met with a really bad accident a year ago; his hip bone was crushed and he had to have a series of reconstructive surgeries in order to [...]

Another new knee

I had my second total knee replacement Monday. It’s been a rough week. And……that is a huge understatement. There were some serious pain control issues during my hospital stay. There was a horrible horrible nurse who had some sort of personal vendetta against pain meds. So long story short, I check myself out early after [...]

I can walk.

I’m moving around so well. Even with one good knee. It’s been four and a half weeks since my total knee replacement. And just a few more days until my next one. My life has already changed drastically. Anyone looking in from the outside might not think that’s the case. But everyday I get out [...]

The Next Knee

I had my follow up appointment with my surgeon. My knee is looking great. I’ve been getting around without the walker and now I’m back to my trusty cane. I looked like a complete goob today but couldn’t make myself care less. I got the usual stares that seem to accompany me wherever I go, [...]

Reflections IV

So I have this voice in the back of my mind whispering that the worst is almost over. But if four years of battling rheumatoid arthritis has taught me anything it’s that I shouldn’t let my hopes get too high too quickly. Isn’t that a terrible way to view the world? I know it is. [...]