Small Steps~ forward...

I'm bravely going forth where I've never gone before~! I guess we all had to begin sometime to learn about this site and of course, to learn about RA. At this point, I know little about either. Soooo, off  I go here, into the unknown!

Jake and I were owner/operators of our own trucking business until recent retirement this past year. We can now enjoy our time at home together.

Okay, now, RA  ..honestly, I felt better after being tested and told by our pcp that I had something really wrong with me, a crippling disease called Rheumatoid Arthritis, RA.

I always felt guilty when I griped about this dm'd pain and stiffness too often.

I just kept thinking that this aging process was pretty rotten.

Of course after hearing this diagnosis I began to surf the internet for info concerning this 'thing.' I still don't understand it. I suppose I will grasp it more fully, eventually.

I do know about a year and a half ago I began to deal with a fairly high level of complaints due to stiffness and aching.

Because, my nature is to stay active, I just fought my way through the really rotten days, figuring that all older people suffered pains. Well, maybe not like this, I now know.

I thought maybe the chest pains were angina or pleurisy; eyes were just failing and of course, I figured the trade-off was I seemed to drop weight and it seemed quite easy to do. ..kewl!  *I do eat wisely but I was eating enough to know that reguardless of how much, my weight dwindled.

Mostly my troubles are in my lower region; spine, hips, knees, ankles. Of course I do feel RA's progression as my neck, shoulders and feet are letting me know also that it's moving in more and more on me.

 I read that there are all kinds of drugs and shots available ...ugh!!! I intend to honor my daughter's request to 'go-green' ...smile. She's wants me to search for natural remedies first. I already have discovered a 'natural' remedy this past year. I wind down the day with one or two Mich Ultra's or a couple of red wine coolers.

I mean, how bad can that be? It curbs the pain, calms the mind and it helps the arteries. *Already had a Big H-A April of '03.

Anyway! Once I survived my heart-attack I fell into a new mindset. I wanted to make sure I hadn't wasted my time on this planet. Boy, I now know, I've contributed!

It just sort of happened ...I felt absolutely drawn to save, abandoned and suffering little animals. I pulled my husband, Jake and our 35 year old son, Gary right into my quest/mission. *Gary lives in a cabin on our acreage.

We now, after two years have 20 cats/ 5 dogs. They are spoiled kiddo's. We are spending our retirement for a great cause. Seems like it to me anyway.

All of our kiddo's are well-cared for, spayed/neutred, immunized and have wonderful shelters.  ~And our loved. Priceless.

And so it is, on with my life and a another chapter in my book, throughout twists and turns, I'll see what happens next as my story unfolds further each day.