The best year for living with Rheumatoid Arthritis..EVER!

Boundaries

Let's learn a little more to recognize our boundaries.  We have all done it.  You know, that day when we are feeling a bit better so we try to be super human and accomplish EVERYTHING that has ever needed to be done in one day only to throw ourselves back into the worst flare of our lives.  I have five years of living with the severity of this disease, and while I do know my boundaries, I still feel the need to test them yet get upset with myself when I throw myself back into a flare.  Boundaries are awful!  And while I wish we didn't have them, they are necessary for living well with this disease.  Sometimes we don't want to face that we are no longer able to do everything we are used to doing.  But that doesn't mean that we can't do some of the things.  We have to learn what each of our bodies can handle.  But when we do, I am fully confident that life gets a little better and we are able to smile and laugh more.

Take Care of Ourselves

This year let's take care of ourselves.  What I have learned about rheumatoid arthritis and the people living with it is that we are all caretakers in some way.  Whether we are supermom, who takes care of the kids, the house, the groceries, or the one who helps in the community, the husband who works ungodly hours to make sure his family is provided for, or the student who excels at everything he does, we are caretakers.  And what I have learned from being a caretaker myself is that we tend to overlook our needs and replace them with the needs of others.   Now don't get me wrong, I am not saying that we should stop caring for others and care only for ourselves.  I too attempt to be the rheumatoid arthritis superhero.  But I am learning that the less I care for myself, the less I can care for those I love.  So let's just take a little more time for us whether that means a nap, a couple minutes alone, or a dinner out one night.  It will do wonders for your soul and make it a little easier in the fight against RA.

Protect Yourself

Let's protect ourselves this year.  Yes, the medications, well....stink!  And yes, we Do have to take them.  But what that does for us is it protects our health and our body.  I still have the days when I cry before having to take my medication, or I only want to lie around only later to find I am now in more pain than before.  Protecting ourselves is hard.  It's not just a change in medication, but a lifestyle change as well.  But we can do it because we are the strongest of the strong.  We can exercise and eat right.  We can take our medications, and we can survive because we are fighters.

Support Each Other

Now last but not least...Let's support each other.  The support I have received from each and every one of you has helped me know I am not alone in this fight against RA.  It has helped me become stronger.  If you're having a bad flare day, let us know so we can have the opportunity to provide you with some words of support.  If you feel depressed, don't be ashamed of it we have all been there and still experience that ourselves.  Remember there is no right or wrong way to feel about living with this disease.  When you feel all alone, let us know so we can tell you how we have been there before.  We are all here for support which helps make this fight against rheumatoid arthritis a little more worth it!