First, I should point out that many doctors now call it Rheumatoid Disease because it is an auto-immune disorder it isn't the same as what happens in normal joints as we age.
So RA/RD whatever we call it I was "blessed" or cursed with it. It is awful. It is miserable. It is a life changer. Out of necessity my life is planned around my disease. I try to not let rule my life but I have learned if I don't listen to my body I will be worse off. I can only physically do so much.
Take today. It was a good thing I didn't have to be at work. I was home in bed. Crying in pain after taking my legally prescribed high dose pain pills. I tried ice. I tried a shower. The shower is normally my best bet, but then it took 23 minutes to get dry and in pjs.
RA/RD affects so much. I get so weary of it. Yet, I am also thankful. Not for having it, that would be crazy, but for what it has taught me and is teaching my daughter.
1. Empathy and understanding for others with "invisible illnesses" (I.I.). A smile and make -up on the outside can be masking a body that is torturing itself. Be kind and trust that your I.I. friends are doing their best. Offer to help out with their chores or bring them dinner. Don't offended if they don't eat it that night, but put it away for use during a flare up.
2. Patience. I can't change the length and severity of a flare up. I just do what I can to minimize and get through it. I have to be patient and trust God that this too shall pass. It is hard. My flare ups are more painful than labor was & they don't result in a sweet child.
3. It is teaching Snowflake empathy, how to help out and independence. Being a single mom when I am down for the count she is on her own more than I'd like. When it is really bad I get help - send her to her grandparents, but we both prefer to have her here. She makes me food, gets me drinks, takes care of the cats, and seeing Mom hurting turns on her more mature abd nurturing side. It is wonderful and sweet.
4. Faith. I have to rely on God to get me through these worse times. My faith has grown.
5. Thankfulness. My joint and body organ damage could be much more advanced. I am thankful that on most days my hands and fingers work. I can walk unassisted. It could be so much harder to do daily tasks. I am thankful.
So no I wish and pray for my RD to disappear but since it hasn't I choose to learn from it and focus on the good. This is the day and the challenges I have. I will rejoice in knowing that it is another day God had allowed me with my daughter, cats, friends, family and others.
So RA/RD whatever we call it I was "blessed" or cursed with it. It is awful. It is miserable. It is a life changer. Out of necessity my life is planned around my disease. I try to not let rule my life but I have learned if I don't listen to my body I will be worse off. I can only physically do so much.
Take today. It was a good thing I didn't have to be at work. I was home in bed. Crying in pain after taking my legally prescribed high dose pain pills. I tried ice. I tried a shower. The shower is normally my best bet, but then it took 23 minutes to get dry and in pjs.
RA/RD affects so much. I get so weary of it. Yet, I am also thankful. Not for having it, that would be crazy, but for what it has taught me and is teaching my daughter.
1. Empathy and understanding for others with "invisible illnesses" (I.I.). A smile and make -up on the outside can be masking a body that is torturing itself. Be kind and trust that your I.I. friends are doing their best. Offer to help out with their chores or bring them dinner. Don't offended if they don't eat it that night, but put it away for use during a flare up.
2. Patience. I can't change the length and severity of a flare up. I just do what I can to minimize and get through it. I have to be patient and trust God that this too shall pass. It is hard. My flare ups are more painful than labor was & they don't result in a sweet child.
3. It is teaching Snowflake empathy, how to help out and independence. Being a single mom when I am down for the count she is on her own more than I'd like. When it is really bad I get help - send her to her grandparents, but we both prefer to have her here. She makes me food, gets me drinks, takes care of the cats, and seeing Mom hurting turns on her more mature abd nurturing side. It is wonderful and sweet.
4. Faith. I have to rely on God to get me through these worse times. My faith has grown.
5. Thankfulness. My joint and body organ damage could be much more advanced. I am thankful that on most days my hands and fingers work. I can walk unassisted. It could be so much harder to do daily tasks. I am thankful.
So no I wish and pray for my RD to disappear but since it hasn't I choose to learn from it and focus on the good. This is the day and the challenges I have. I will rejoice in knowing that it is another day God had allowed me with my daughter, cats, friends, family and others.
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