This summer I was in Maine with my five siblings and mom when I saw this T-shirt.
I am generally not a T-shirt wearing gal, but it seemed to say exactly how I feel about life.
2011 has been a year of success for my rheumatoid arthritis and me. Shortly before the year began I came out of a more than two year whole body flare and things just seem to continue getting better.
In January I completed a full round of P90X, a challenging workout tape that incorporates push-ups, pull-ups, weights, and cardio movements. I felt so proud of myself!
In February I started reading The Barefoot Book by Daniel Howell, M.D. What I learned from this book would guide me throughout the rest of the year in an experiment of minimalist shoes and barefoot walking, the number one best thing I did for my feet, ankles, knees, and hips. In February I also became a contributor for HealthCentral. Getting to know so many wonderful people has been a wonderful part of my rheumatoid arthritis journey.
March and April forced my mind away from rheumatoid arthritis and to my dad who spent some time in Hospice and then died in April. I always knew losing one of my parents would be hard, but it was worse than I imagined. It felt as if a huge part of me was gone from this world. Thankfully as my mind and heart were dealing with this loss, my rheumatoid arthritis continued to settle into the background.
May was an active month for me. I got back on the bicycle for lots of rides in forest preserves as well around our neighborhood to the grocery store, haircuts, and the library. I attended yoga classes with my daughter and felt giddy when asked if I had any health problems because I answered, "No, I am good." It was true. I felt I could do as much or more than anyone in the room and when I didn't feel that way, I backed off from a move. No need to share my disease with yet another person when it wasn't necessary. The month of May allowed me to do some hiking with my kids. There is nothing I like better than being out in nature with my family where we can concentrate on each other and the beauty around us. Also in May, my daughter and I painted her bedroom. Each time I climbed up the ladder and lifted my arm to paint I was so thankful for the gift of health I have been given this year. Unfortunately May also saw some new nodules which concerned my rheumy and we began watching them.
June was a celebration of 23 years of married life. Wow! That is a long time. It is also a good time. With the warmth of summer I took full advantage of barefoot walking. Each day I did half of my two mile walk with my border collie in my Vibram Five Fingers and half completely barefoot. For everywhere else I needed to go I wore my VFF, old sandals, or went barefoot if possible. Being barefoot felt almost like giving my foot a massage. It seemed to allow pressure points on my feet to be touched in exactly the way they needed to be touched. My feet never felt so good! I watched in amazement as they became stronger and the corns on my feet almost disappeared. Even my hammertoes seemed to be straightening out.
