Small Steps~ forward...

Well, Hi Amy~! In return, I welcome your response, my first, on this friendly, informative board..

Would you believe I had just read through quite a few shareposts this evening and I'd actually bookmarked your comments to return to, only moments before checking my  messages

Fancy that ...LOL.

When I came upon this site through my google search I hadn't even taken the time to read any messages; I just decided I'd become a member right away without realizing what a really great place I'd discovered.

Am kinda 'blown-away' realizing just how much brave suffering you and so many afflicted souls are going through.

Yeah, sure I had/have pain also but the odd part of it is , I've never enjoyed very good health throughout most of my life anyway so when this latest pain began a few years after my H-A I thought well ...fiddle, something new to deal with, crappo~!

So, I was doing pretty well at tolerating it all until I began to find myself  'sitting' down in the aisles of Walmart, like in the cereal lane trying to reach for the cornflakes.

Then, realizing I was rather stuck, crawling around to pull myself back up by shelves to rise to the cart.

Like, "Excuse me folks, but I seem to have a real problem with this aging thingy."

I had always heard that aging wasn't for sissies so I continued to just tuff it out  ...

until finally nothing, certainly not "Ache-On' rub or *whatever it's called, was easing my painful, stiff joints any.

So, yep, off to the clinic. Now, I arrive right here amidst this large group of folks trying everything from A2Z in search of relief and mercy. It seems that at least I'm in great company!

Life is an experience, huh?

*I'll still get some photo's posted hopefully within a day or so. Jake's back from a 3-day road trip tonite and finally to help me but, he crashed out early. Wish I could.

It's always more personal to talk to at least an image when possible.

Goodnite, Amy ~ Goodnite all.

P.S. I'd love to share a little more about our 'Petting Zoo'  ...another time.

But, Hey, are we only supposed to talk about RA here? I mean I don't know yet.

Anu, thanks. You gave me some thoughtful insight on handling this new affliction I now have also. I felt I was doing good on my lifestyle change after my H-A but now

...I  may have to restrict my diet even more. Well, if I could drop my horrible addiction to smoking after 47 years in 'two days' after I had my heart-attack in '03

 I guess I'll conquer this new challenge also. I will learn as I go, like y'all <--(texas-talk) have had to do. Let's wander away from our RA problems for a bit ...

Anu, you asked about our animals. I've talked about all of our cherished pets in various messages on this RA site.

I'm imagine if you type my name 'SherOnTheLake' into the search option you will find more posts or messages of mine concerning our animals. But, to answer briefly, all of our kitties (cats) are each safe in ac/heated shelters according to family groups or accepting other felines *eight shelters in all for 20 cats. Our five dogs are also in separate pens inside a large fenced space within our yard. This whole accomplishment took my husband and I about two years to finish. They're each and all safe, they're happy, we're happy; all is good. 

Check out my profile to read more. Also, I've posted quite a few photo's on my photo album there, just click and they should 'morph.'

Anu, it just seems so awesome to me that I could be having this conversation with you and your in India! Wow. Let's have some fun with this. I'm not sure how many hours we're apart in the time zone but let's compare what the moon looks like over each of our homes within a 24-hr. period of time. Tonight there isn't much to compare. I just stepped outside and I see no hint of the moon at all, it's under cloud cover. It is 12:30 p.m. I wonder if 'your' moon is/will be showing now? We may have to keep trying to compare on more nights to describe what we're each seeing. You know, like full moon, half-moon, harvest-moon, bright white, yellow, etc.

Are you up to this? Let me know.

So, it was great to hear from you, hope to stay in touch. Shine on, friend ...

I can be such a bozo . Obviously, the moon wasn't shining at 12:30 p.m here; I would have been squinting into the sun about that time of day ..lol. I also would be awestruck if the moon could ever be seen in the sky at exactly the same time for either of us.

Anyway, you get what I mean.

"Oh, joy in the morning, huh?" Be almost a comfort to think that we're just falling apart because maybe we didn't pamper ourselves during our early years, huh? Something like ..."Maybe I'm making to much of this, just over-reacting to these pains, it's all in my head. The stiffness prolly is caused by my bumpy 'travels' thru life or on the Harley? I can't be 'really, really sick' ~!?

Can I??

Well, maybe so. I had my big, ol' bad H-A at Lowes Building Center which happened to be five blocks away from a very well respected hospital. I was actually brought back around three times that same day before it was finally thumbs up for me.

"Tuff to be good; but it's good to be tuff" ...lol.

Had it occurred while I was home alone I'd bet I wouldn't be chattin' away here right now. Home for us, is about a 40 mile drive from the hospital. Anyway, friend, palps and flutters don't seem to suggest an impending H-A to me but it's sure best to have something such as this checked out. *And, oh please, if you smoke rise above this addiction asap. I smoked for 47 years~! If I hadn't insisted on bad habits I may not have clogged my arteries to the point of near death and I might could even avoided this RA curse. I don't think most people know that women who smoke have a death rate of 50% with the very first attack. That's bad odds. Plus, 50% of those female survivors won't see it through the first year!!!

If your overweight the chances may drop down even less. *(congrats to you on your loss.)

This is an RA site I know but this is something worth mentioning to all methinks.

As far as better/worse days, you mention, I can identify. That's why I didn't catch on that there might be something really wrong with me for so long.

At times I thought I'd never see morning because my chest ached so badly, among the other things like the pain/stiffness thingy.

Next day? Hey, decent, again, feel relatively normal. Forget it must be unimportant. ~Guess I was wrong.

I'm wondering also what kind of day I'll be having when I go to my appointed Rheumy. Don't know which to hope for. Very uptight about having strong drugs prescribed right away but what if I shy away from that idea and I realize later I waited to long to act upon the warning my body gave me. Do you fear this too? Apparently we're not alone in our terrible apprehension. I think we're all certainly people of great courage and/or faith in that we face our fears head with bravery and dignity.

Seems we do not have the option of going to a big Cancer Center, We're a small group scattered across the world it appears. We're joined together on message boards so as to boister each others spirit while we drop tears on our keyboards because only we, the suffering of this RA understand the physical and emotional pain we are enduring. It's unexplainable to others. But, we still laugh and joke around with each other; which surely is good. We're still on this side of the turf and it appears from many posts we've clung to our sense of humor.

So, the claim is that the RA afflicted are a mere 1% of the population. That amazes me. I've only been a member here at RACentral for less than two weeks and seems I'm seeing worried, questioning, newly dx'd folks joining every few days! Somebody needs to close the gate! Poor peeps are starting to tumble in.

My apologies, I've went on a ramble it looks like, longer then I'd intended, please keep in touch and we'll dare to compare our troubles and treatments.

And, ...as your able *Remember: "Get your motor runnin', get out on the highway; keep lookin' for adventure or whatever comes your way."

Ride easy. Goodnight. Good dreams.

Hi Sher,

I am new to this site and newly diagnosed with RA.  Been to the specialist twice and do not understand much about this disease .  I have learned more by reading up on RA on the internet and now here in this site the past couple of days.  The Rhemo doctor wants me to take Plaquenil  and told me that this med is best for a person like me who has heart and lung issues.  I guess it is the less toxic of the other DMARDS.   

I am on Metoprolol for my heart I guess for high blood pressure and angina.  I am saying 'I GUESS' a lot because my doc's do not explain a whole lot to me and although I can easily confuse my own self these docs confuse me even further.   I will be seeing him again next month so hopefully I will have better questions now that I am learning more about this illness and how to explain my symptoms better.   I am scared of this drug plaquenil because I felt dizzy and nausaus and vision disturbance and stopped it in 2 days but I may start it again.  I am so sensitive to nearly any medication and still having problems being on High blood pressure pills.  This one I am having side effects and my blood presssure is not normal with it anyway.  It stays high most of the time and irregular .  

I quit smoking last year June 28th  2007 when my oxygen saturation was 92 and I was put on oxygen 24/7 and hospitalized a week later because my heart rate was in the 30's and I was given the diagnosis sick sinus syndrome and now have a pace maker for that in my chest. 

I wonder about the problems with my lungs and heart being related to having RA .    My health really declined in the late fall of 2006 after a flu and upper resporitory problem.   I already had a specialist for my lungs for a couple of years because of lung nodules (not big but being watched with CT scans) and now emphazema . 

The pain from RA I am not sure when it began but has worsened this past year.  I really am in the dark with all these issues so it is hard to know what to say that is supportive.

I think it is great you are taking care of so many cats and dogs.   I would love to beable to do that but not in a financial situation to do so nor have the land.

I have my precious cat Spirit here with me.   Even use her as my nic name. 

I love animals and in 2006 my landlord and I had lost 8 of our cats from FIP.  

Spirit beat the odds of this illness and is going on 3 years of age.  

Spirithere54     P.S.  Maybe I will be brave and post some pics in time. 

Well, 'Geez, Louise' Spirit Gal~! Neither one of us seems to have a great 'rosy' future grinning upon us, do we? I know we're suppose to try to reflect a sunny outlook here ...but, I mean, if a bird plops poop down on me I might firstly, frown, then giggle over the incident and then next proceed to wipe it off. However, If an elephant soars overhead and drops a quantum load on me, firstly, it would be hard for me to believe it'd happened, secondly, I would think what a hell of a mess I'm getting buried under and thirdly, I may soon begin to realize I may not be able to dig my way up and over so much shit!!! <-- *Is that word going to get me in trouble here?? Too late now. LOL.

Like yourself (you, kitty-Spirit and surely many others too) we can  say we've faced some rough challenges in the past. Plus, the real 'bummer' ..is it ain't gonna get 'very' over tomorrow either. 

We all realize this truth after awhile.

Spirit, I've about read myself blind over these past few weeks to learn what I felt I needed to know to make decisions I knew I'd be forced to make soon.

I can tell you this, that as I become more 'wizened' about RA and the further complications/threats it imposes when combining my other health problems, meds/treatments, I'm becoming more accepting of my own mortality.

I faced 'the end of my journey' in 2003 when I had my major heart-attack. I wasn't afraid then, I'm not afraid now. I feel concerned about the care of my pet-kidz that I so cherish but I know my hubby and son would rise to the occasion and care for them all the best they could.

I do not feel horrible dread and terror at the thought of making my exit, if anything, I feel grateful and a little amazed by the passing of so many years of living  ..anything pass 30 always seemed like a bonus to me ...LOL.

Please, understand this; I'm NOT 'giving up'  ..not at all, but I am a realist. I feel like I shouldn't just take my time left on earth for granted. Bad days are rotten, the good days, well, they're good!

I hope that I do some good with those days; even a little good is still good~right?!

*Please, I would like everyone reading my words to know that as of yet, I am most fortunate that my RA is still at a more tolerable level than some others. Also, it should be expressed that I'm an aged woman, not 'reeal' old but yes, aged. It perhaps is much more difficult to be in the prime of your lives and endure this awful affliction. To you, Spirit54 and to everyone suffering, I feel heartfelt empathy.  May the cure we all pray for be available and affordable someday soon. GN~

*well, here goes, I shall bravely post this now before I change my mind.

hi sher,

i kinda forgot i posted a comment on your post....still learning this website.  anyway, of course, cardio appt, 'nothing showed up'.  (figures).  my heart is healthy, one chamber is big, one valve is flimsy, but no need for worries.  meantime, the flutters continue...(now i'm wondering if it's anxiety, not that i have any NEW ones)....anyway, rheumy appt was productive.  i do have RA...as i knew.  he put me on plaquenil and kept me on relefen. it's been a huge weight off my shoulders.  funny, i don't have as much pain as i did, but i'm wondering if the stress of being in limbo was the culprit initially.  my hands have been hurting SINCE that appt.  yesterday i couldn't make a fist with my right hand.  today i can't straighten my fingers all the way. BUT i can type better today than i could yesterday.  the stiffness isn't too bad either.  and....drum roll please...i've been able to ride my motorcycle!! wooot wooot!  .  we have a ride this weekend, and i'm praying i'll be able to.  the weather won't be scorching so it'll be pleasant...i'll play 'get your motor runnning''.. on my IPOD and my thoughts will be of your entertaining post and encouragement...cheers to you..*vroom vroom*

Hi-ya TinGal !

It's nice to hear from you. So now ... your confirmed to have a life-long shadow-buddy (?) hovering over your shoulder. Name?: RA. But. ~You officially have become a member of an exclusive club. Me Too.  Well, sorta. (I'll explain in a minute).

You do know, of course our dues to belong to this elite RA club will not be just monetary (meds) but, we shall have to prove out to be tough enuf to endure whatever it is that RA brings to our minds and bodies. The membership dues are pricey. Well, no mind; we're in.  

I've had me quite a few weeks since my PCP first phoned me with the news of this 'thing'  he found through my bloodtest. We shared quite a lengthy talk in his office on my return visit. *This was after, I decided to cancel the Rheumatologist appointment he'd scheduled for me. I thought perhaps that he'd be upset about that but I explained why and he was understanding.

I asked him just how certain he was that I was truly afflicted with RA. He told me he felt very little doubt. He couldn't tell me what else might be involved beside RA but I told him that didn't concern me anyway. I could either go spend 20 to 30 minutes with a Rheumatologist that would charge me $300. to even discuss my ailments with me, then put me through a bunch of time-comsuming, costly tests or accept the fact that I've got RA+, indeed.

Next, I did a fair amount of exploring the web about this disease before making decisions about what I should do; what felt right for me. I weighed my worries and anxieties about the usual routine meds that are prescribed for RA against my pains, my limitations and also took into consideration the mixing of my H-A meds with new RA drugs. Tin, I'm not that ready yet. The Eagles sang a song that rewinds through my mind "Take It To The Limit; One More Time." Thatsa wat I'm gonna do. That's what's right for me.

I know RA progresses. I know I have to ask for help now getting up if I lower, I know my eyes are failing, etc. and I know what it's like to feel like Mount Vesuvius is trying to erupt through my skin at times but I eat well, take a Tylenol or drink a couple of wine coolers because for me  "I'm not that ready to take the plunge into the unknown." YET.

I'm glad to read that we're all finding our own way through this disease. We are each individuals. That we are joined together here and sharing experiences is a very special thing ..to me. We're a caring, considerate clique, if you will.

Perhaps, we are the wind beneath each other's wings.

*It's wonderful that you, yourself girl, will soon go 'cruising' carefreely into the winds of the earth. How exillerating. God Speed.

                                              I remain, SherOnTheLake

sometimes you have to follow your heart (no pun intended)...but i'm willing to at least give a shot.  my cuz is on plaq and says it works wonders for her.  being that we're of the same gene pool, i figured it worked for her, will probably work for me.  so far, it's been 2 wks, and i have noticed a difference, but, it might be less stress, i don't know. i've not had any side effects so that's a plus.  hopefully the sight problems will bypass me, because darnit, i just had lasik done a couple  years ago, and i like the idea of not wearing glasses or contacts!  anyway, i'm trying not to let this RA consume me (but wow, how hard it is to forget).   i'll take my exclusive membership in the RA clique, and i'll try to follow the rules, pretend nothing hurts, and pray that it doesn't get worse.  as long as i can still ride...i'm good.  funny you mention the eagles...we're going up to winslow for a 'standin' on the corner' celebration (a line from the Eagles song, "Take it Easy"). it's the 10th anniversary, and there's an Eagles Tribute band called "Hotel California"  that plays there every year (who have become good friends of ours now) and they just got a new singer last fall.  OMG, he's don felder in the raw!! wow!! anyway, i'm looking forward at the end of the month of leaving my RA life behind for a night, getting my Eagles fix and 3 hr motorcycle fix and gonna 'take it easy' myself!!  can't wait.  here's to a pain free day!  *cheers*

My wonderful mother has now been chosen to live a pain free life in heaven. I don't feel bad for her. I do feel bad that I myself have lost my cherished and remarkable friend and mother. I am grateful that she was able to make friends on this site and share her life with so many. The cats are now mine and her husbands to care for. We are not as obsessed with their care as she was but they are still loved and have their basic needs met.

Her stress and worries and never slow down attitude led to her leaving far too soon.