Great Expectations

it's all about working around the disease and recognizing opportunities when others might see limits.

Thanks for sharing your story - there is much food for thought in there.

Nicely put - I like the way you said that.

absolutely!  I am often driven 'round the bend by how slow everything is, convinced that if I didn't have RA, I'd written a book by now. Or perhaps if I didn't have RA, I would have another excuse for not writing a book. Who knows.

I remember once reading an article about the author of Seabiscuit - apparently, she has/had chronic fatigue syndrome and it took her 10 years of writing maybe a page a day. I try to remember that whenever I am feeling particularly like a snail. It's all about giving it your best every day and you just might get to where you want to go. Or maybe you'll get somewhere else entirely and find out that that's where you'd much rather be. I do believe - on the days where I'm feeling more zen - that because I move slow, I may get more out of the journey than the people who hurtle down the road.and then I try to remember that it's about the journey, not about getting there.

So yes. Chin up!

The whole concept is fabulous to see put into words.  I am also blessed to have an understanding boss since his wife has fibromyalgia (if I need to lift something I do it when he's not looking so he doesn't get upset with me!).  Most of the time I'm pretty fine.  I feel lazy for taking the elevator most days since my toes and feet hurt.  But the days I feel better, I give myself credit for at least taking the stairs up once.  Or when they are sore, I give myself credit if I can get myself to go DOWN the stairs (forget up)!  I work in the same building as my mother and it gets difficult when she rolls her eyes because I take elevator.  I'm obese and need to lose weight so in her eyes, I should at least try the stairs...she just doesn't get that it's painful.  My husband also thinks I'm lazy if I need a nap or can't do things around the house.  I feel like people who don't know my condition are thinking I'm fat and lazy if I take the elevator or limp (I feel like even those that do know my situation feel that way sometimes).  You're lucky you have a great support network around you.  I'm still learning to ignore what they think and give myself credit for the little things I do.

my feet have ra the worst also...just remember there is always someone worst off than we are . that has to be hard working in the same building as your mom who appartently dose not understand how awful RA can be if she is rolling her eyes when you take the elevator.  Be thankful you can still use your feet and don't let ANYONE set you back by remarks or actions keep up the good work. and remember most people do not understand what we are going though. even those we love and live with . if the don't have it most people don't understand it.   

It can be really hard to trust yourself on the days when you're surrounded by messages from people who don't understand - you might want to check out this post I wrote a while ago about how to deal with friends and family.  Only you know when you're doing your best, so hang in there and trust yourself. You don't have to defend yourself to anyone.  Down the road, if you feel ready to tackle the idea of weight loss and getting more fit, check out these posts on diet and exercise with RA.

I have A small  suggestion that might help with your weight issue. I can no longer use the stairs or jog or anything jarring to the knees it just hurts too much. As my activity level went down my weight went up, and the added weight started making it difficult to even stand at times. So here's what I did, I used to normally eat maby two or three large meals, large = cup your hands together, I changed my eating habbits and the weight fell off without increasing my activity level. I began to eat 6 small portions a day, by small I mean no more than a palm full, not your whole hand but the palm, every two to three hours, begining no later than 1 hour after waking up and stopping 1 hour before bed.  When you wake up you have not had food for a prolonged period of time so your body if not fed will go into starvation mode holding on to the fat in everything you eat from then on so that it has something to run on inbetween. By eating small snacks every few hours your body will start working overtime to precess and burn what you are giving it.  For instance I wakeup at 8am by 8:45 would have a small boul of cereal, usually rasin bran (great energy source), then around 11:30 have a piece of fruit or yougert, then at around 1 have a half sandwich and maby a nutra-grain bar, around 3:30 have another snack it can be anything as long it's no more than your palm size, then around 6 6:30 have a moderate sized dinner, maby the size of your hand, finally I would have a small snack around 9:30 10 o'clock usuall 1 scoop of icecreme or a brownie and milk. As you can see by my diet I eat what I want just in moderation and more often. If you are used to large portion sizes you will still feel hungry after every meal but in two weeks your stomach size will shrink and 10 bites of anything will fill you, just remember when you experience this that you will get to eat more soon. I hope this can help you I call it the non surgical gastric bypass, and it works even better!    P.L.U.R     Peace, Love, Unity, Respect

Thanks so much!  That is a great idea!  I will try to start working on it and I'll let you know how it goes.  It sounds reasonable and do-able...and easy!  Althgouh I'm sure the hunger won't be easy at first!  My feet will really thank you too!

I'm glad I could be of some help! I would love to hear from you on how it's going, and if you ever need someone to talk too, weather your doing well or frustrated or for any reason feel free to e-mail me. P.L.U.R. Sincerly, Becky Sue

So glad to hear that you have good people around you even if they don't always understand, still understand enough to help.

Thanks for the comment!

Thanks so much for saying that!

I wholeheartedly agree - RA doesn't just take, it gives, as well.  There are times where it can be difficult to see this, but I try to remember.

The journey to the big goals is just that: a journey. Sometimes when you have to stop for a while, you discover later that you needed the down time to rethink something in that it works better because you had a think and changed your approach a bit.

You're making me blush!

Thanks so much for the nice words.

Now I just have to write the book.   It's the next dream and who knows, maybe someday...

Reading the comments from you when other users like you helps me, too. The sharing and support and being there for each other goes both ways - it's amazing in part of a community of people just like me.

don't you find that sometimes, this disease make you more determined? It gives you that resilience to keep bouncing back and pursue your goal. It seems to lend a focus that "normal" people don't have. Of course, I just said that in the post, but it bears repeating.  A-hem.

I'm happy to hear about your success.  Atta girl right back atcha.

You are absolutely right. All members of RA club out there are naturally resilent since they have to fight their RA all the time. This makes them more enduring and focussed.

Hi! Everybody!!!! Do you agree to this?

Ratnapriya

I completely agree, those with RA are the most resiliant people's because we have to fight to get to live life at all. It not only makes us more enduring and focussed but it also makes us more understanding, compassionate, and appreciative than "normal people" in my opinion.  P.L.U.R.  Peace, Love, Unity, Respect! 

I'm blushing here...   and also very glad that I can serve as an antidote to your family's messages.  sure, there are limits to what we can do - I'll never be a firefighter or horse trainer or dancer or a marine biologist (all occupational dreams I had when I was a kid), but that doesn't mean that you can't excel and achieve in other less physical careers. But you know that - from what I've read of your questions and comments, it's pretty obvious that you have the innate stubbornness that's necessary to go out there and... well. There was this other thing my parents taught me and that was to go show the bastards.  A-hem.

I'm glad you're part of this community. like you said, we are all family here.