Another day with R.A.

By Shearleath Monday, December 17, 2007

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Today I woke up feeling o.k. trying to prepare my mind and body for work, so much thats needed to be done around the house before I set out on my journey to work, really not looking forward to having to put on a new face at work, seeming how people expect meto be chipper, and I am usually the one to cheer every one else up. Is there anyone out there who could cheer me up? Is there anyone out who is willing to respond? This is not easy for me as I know its is not easy for those who are suffering with R.A.. I realize that some people are suffering more than I am, But right now I am feeling so lost.

Comments (19) | Add comment

sjnyc323

12/18/07 6:06pm

I understand how you feel but try to keep your head up and think positive. Do not try to be superwoman and if you need help don't be afraid to ask. i wish you all the best.

Shearleath

12/27/07 9:10pm

I have slowed down a great deal, I take my time, when I get tired I sit down, I now know how far to go without over doing it

Thanks

Shearleath Big Smile

ANNIE

12/31/07 7:06pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR

BE STONG AND REST AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE

ANNIE

libby

12/19/07 5:00am

I feel lost too.

ANNIE

12/20/07 12:55pm

Hi Libby,dont let this thing get you all torn up. There can be life with arthritis. Just not as much. I'm learning that myself. Its not easy but it can be done.

keep in touch

Annie

Shearleath

12/28/07 9:29pm

Hi libby

wanted to know how you're doing? Things will get better, we just have to continue to have faith and not dwell on this r.a. as much. We are going to have good and bad days, and sometimes there is no one there to make us feel better but us. I'd like for you to stay in touch with me.

shearleath

Libby

12/29/07 9:42pm

It's really hard, I don't feel like I can do anything anymore.

I am only 23.

How will I ever have jobs, kids, a life?

I don't know where to go from here.

ANNIE

12/31/07 7:08pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR

I WISH YOU MANY PAIN FREE DAYS

ANNIE

12/31/07 7:09pm

I WISH YOU MANY PAIN FREE DAYS

ANNIE

Jennifer

1/ 6/08 3:25am

Hi Libby~

I just wanted to share with you. I was 23 also when I was dx. I had one girl, she was 3 then. I know have 4 kids. For now they are my life and job. I will tell you this this lost feel I think must come and go. I felt lost & shocked when dx. I came to terms with it and moved on. But right now I'm back to being very lost again.

I hope this helps somehow...stay in touch & good luck!

ANNIE

12/20/07 12:33pm

Hello Shearleath, I use to live in the windy city. I can understand your pain. We have to incourage ourselves and each other. No one knows the pain but us. I motivate myselg by assuring myself that God does not intend for me to hurt like this for the rest of my life. I tell myself its gonna get better. I spend a lot of time praying, because now praying is all i have/ I started going to bible class recently and i have enjoyed it. I'm planning a movie night with my family. I'm trying to get back in the swing of things. I will not let this control me I am going to control it.

Love from the south

Annie

Shearleath

12/27/07 9:07pm

Hi Annie

Thank-you for the encouraging words, I have begun to think positive now about my life, I encourage myself more, telling myself that I am going to be o.k. I am not in a lot of pain right now, so the medicine is kicking in. Prayer does work, that I do know. I am greatful for R.A. Central, because when I found out I had R.A. I felt so alone. Thank you Annie for responding

Shearleath

ANNIE

12/31/07 7:02pm

I can understand the lonely part. are you married/relationship. i'm not,dont see it in the near future. does ra effect your relationship. I feel sometime, that no one is going to want someone with such a problem. we'll see. glad you are feeling better hope it continues. by the way

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Connie Diller

1/16/08 10:22am

Annie,

I have a blood disease, fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis, spondylosis of the spine & now RA. I met the most wonderful man a year ago last August. We were married this past spring. Ask God to bring your life partner to you & let Him do that in His time. He is the best match maker there is...there is someone out there that was made especially for you! Keep the faith. Prayers go UP, Blessings will come down;) God bless & Take Care...Connie

Vicky Horvath

1/ 1/08 9:41pm

Hi there I feel like you almost every day, I know exactly what you are going through it is a daily struggle for me too, I have a great Job that I actually enjoy going to, BUT MORNINGS are terrible for me it is the time of the day when I am in a lot of pain, I have trouble getting dressed, taking a shower because my shoulders are so sore it hurts to lift my arms to get dressed or wash myself, but you know what Shearleath I thank GOD every morning for letting me get up once again and see my daughter, I've learned to walk away from a sink full of dishes a dirty floor or a load of cloth to be fold and put away... those are little things, they don't matter to me that much, because feeling OK is better than anything and you know I haven't had an OK or GREAT day in a long time, but not everybody knows, I put an act up, and I continue my day like nothing is wrong, so just keep it up, don't let go of that precious thing you still have, me and you both LIFE, we can walk, talk & bring an income home... STAY Strong, I am trying my best and know you can too! Good Luck, feel Better, Vicky!

Connie Diller

1/16/08 10:36am

Hey Shearleath,

I so can relate, I am a wife, a mother of six grown children, a grandma to four grandchildren & I am a photographer & substitute teach for the Middle/High school. I have a RA, osteoarthritis, fibromyalgia, spondylosis in my spine and you know what.....it HURTS,,,, but forget that I have good days & bad days, all of us can relate to that. My thing is this...when I get in front of my family or my students I refuse to let these pains still my joy. To look at the faces of people who know you have pain & hurt when you hurt...I refuse to steal their joy, my joy is to know that God let us breath air today, He let us move so we can work, hug, smile, love one another. I am the sub that my students love to see coming down the halls in the school....it's because I love life, It seems to me that you have that personality also, people like to see you because of your positive view on life....hang in there....bad days will come...good days will too...we just get the oportunity to really enjoy the good ones because we truely know what a bad day is...Keep smiling... it makes people smile back. Take Care & God Bless,

Connie

Shearleath

1/21/08 7:52am

Thank you connie for those encouraging words you have my personality just right, but today is a bad day me, I'm trying to pull myself together, but I can't stop the tears. Thank-God I am off work this morning, because I don't think I would be able to put on a happy face, I feel so lost and lonely right now. Don't get me wrong I am soooo greatful the Lord has allowed me to see another day, Its just that i wish my husband and daughter could fully ubderstand the extent of my pain, I think my husband is more into satisfying his need of sex and having a meal cooked than, being worried about me having bad day, my says she understands but she doesn't. JUST TIRED

Connie Diller

1/21/08 1:00pm

Good Morning Shearleath,

Sorry to hear that your having a tough morning;(.... It can be very aggravating to have a high pain day...I CAN relate. My husband is very supportive but it doesn't stop the pain, he is all about just get through it.

He is a retired Navy Senior Chief, worked as an independent duty hospital corman/combat medic/instructor. So he has a back ground in medical which is very helpful. He also had a really bad accident on his bike three years ago. He broke seventeen different places in his left rib cage, broke both shoulders and punctured both lungs. He almost died. Now he gets pain in the bone areas when the weather gets bad. His pain is not like ours but he still gets sore.

My experience is this...I have days when I hurt and the tears just want to come. When I try to fight them back it makes me more tense which causes more pain because I'm tense. If I also try to hold them back to long, then finally let myself cry, by that time I'm so frustrated that I'm crying I cry really hard which also puts stress on my body.....which causes more PAIN. Sooo.....I finally learned when I feel like crying....CRY! Just let the tears roll down, it's like letting the pressure off a tea pot ready to boil. Go climb in the warm shower or bath tub, relax your body as much as you can, Just let the tears come, feel the warm water running over your aching joints & enjoy the sensation of warmth.

We have pain daily....but we also have the joints connected to our bodies still. I use to work at a long term care facility. With the Blood clotting disease I have there is a good possibility of me getting limbs taken off eventually. I personally am thankful to still have my arms & legs, ( I worked with this little lady who had both legs off at just below the hip & her right arm gone just below the shoulder....Wow she was a survivor). I almost had my right leg removed in 1999. No lie it scared the bejesus out of me. I went into surgery not knowing if I was coming out of it & not knowing if I would have my leg. I had major blockage in my right abdomen which blocked the blood into my right leg. No circulation. Excuse the "French" but that sucked!!! Now I am a life time blood thinner person. I have fibromyalgia, osteoarthritis in my spine, spondylosis in my spine & RA. Oh yeah, you know what I'm talking about. This RA kicks me hard. The other things I identify that pain & can move forward. ( I have to identify pain areas to make sure I'm not throwing another blood clot.....lungs, heart or brain are real bad spots for that). Not to be spilling all this on you but I'll tell you what this RA pain is intense. Makes a grown Momma cry, ( I have six children, 5 Boys & 1 girl), they can't understand my pain either. I feel that it hurts them to think about me being in pain so they try not to think about it. We don't have that luxury.

As far as your husband goes...I'll put you in my prayers for him to feel where you are....our mates should love every part of us... painful parts included. Our love lives can be good when our men understand gentleness, not just their self satisfaction.

How old is your daughter if you don't mind my asking? My daughter is 24 with a 2 year old son. My boys are 28, 26, 25, 23 & 20. My 26 year old has 2 children girl(3) & boy(1). My oldest son has a 3 year old son. My daughter-in-laws are Interesting?!?

Well I hope your day is going better,,,,try to smile...it gives your tears somewhere to land besides your neckline;)...Just playin'... I truly hope you have a Blessed day...Take Care, Connie

Shearleath

1/21/08 8:34pm

Hi Connie Its about seven in the evening feeling tired but better than this morning. You have endured a lot but you sound like a winner. I use to work in a long term facility, but switched to a supportive living facility, started out as a CNA, but gave it up to become a receptionist at the same facility, Its a lot better on my body, though I must say my residents miss me working the floor.

My daughter is 24 with two boys, Malick was born on new years he's now six and Malachi is two. I also have a son whose a sophomore at Jackson State University. He seems to be the only one whose very concerned about me, I try not to lean on his as much, because he still has his life to live.

Once I return back to my doctor I will ask her to change my medication because the nap pak is a waste of time.

I want to thank you for writing me back and I did smile while reading what you wrote, you have been quite helpful, thank-you for your prayers, because Lord knows I can use all the prayer I can get. Oh yeah your mom is special if she was born on the best day of the year May 12th Grin

Be blessed

Shearleath

Another day with R.A.

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