Sometimes it's tough

Before this journey of dealing with RA started, I was pretty active. I loved rough housing with my kids. I enjoyed working out. The problem with RA is that you start to become afraid of the pain of doing the things that you love to do.

Keep up that fight to stay in motion.

I gained a bunch of weight, because I didn't want to hurt and working out just made everything hurt worse. It's a downward spiral. Finally, I started swimming laps with one of my boys. He's been fighting his own weight, since he was in second grade. I was shocked to find that he swims through the water like an eel... We're working our way up. Right now we're doing 10-12 laps in a 50 meter pool. Breast Stroke, Free Style, Back Stroke, etc.

Being in the water removes a lot of the strain from my joints and makes it a lot easier to want to exercise. Keep fighting for your motion.

Sorry I haven't been more prolific with writing... Still have to work to keep food on the table.

So few worthy of trust

It consistently amazes me that so few people are out there who are worthy of trust. 

One of the highest compliments that I ever pay is that "I can trust you." Just recently, I once again found that someone who I thought trustworthy, proved to have no integrity.

It's very disappointing.

Communication is Critical

Those of us who fight for motion, against RA, know how important a good relationship is with one's doctor. That being said, I just had a lesson in why this is important, which I wanted to share.

For the last couple months, my left leg seemed to be getting weaker and weaker. It hurt far worse than my right leg. Well, everyone "knows" that RA is typically bi-lateral, so what I was experiencing must be either neurological or something else, right? WRONG!

I ended up buying a cane and was starting to adjust to the fact that my ability to get around was going to be more limited. I've mentioned before that I've got a great doctor, so I figured I should go see him, just to make sure there was nothing that could be done to help what was happening.

He did the typical doctor things... pulling, poking, prodding, etc. When he was done, he said this isn't neurological. If it was, the whole leg would be involved, not just the joints. It also wasn't a blood clot or anything else he could identify, so that just left RA.

We talked about treatment options, the fact that I hate Prednisone, and how we could knock down this weird flare. He was going to prescribe a Medrol Dose Pack, but instead simply gave me the pills with a list of how many to take, when.

After a few days, it was like my legs were almost back to normal. The point being don't settle. Talk to your doctor and keep fighting for motion.

So Thankful

It's easy to think that you're alone out there. Fighting for motion against something as insidious as Autoimmune Rheumatoid Disease is as much mental is physical. It's very sad when families or friends don't understand or don't believe what someone is going through.

It's easy to go the other way as well, and blame everything on your disease. You see idiot Bureaucrats who are limiting people's access to the pain meds that are needed by so many, and you start to feat the pain...

I've been fighting chronic pain, in one sort or another, for more than 10 years. About 6 years ago, during my second round of disk pain, I started being fearful of the pain. What I didn't realize was that dealing with the severe pain that I was fighting against would be practice for a life long fight with RD. 

I believe that in its historical context, without any additions or subtractions that the Bible is truth. In Romans 8:28 it says that... "we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose." So, if that's true and I believe it is, then dealing with RD is good for me for some reason. Things are not always what they seem, so I encourage you to look for the things to be thankful for. 

Accentuate the Positive

Over the last few weeks, I've noticed that my left ankle and knee have started becoming more and more weak. I've tried strengthening exercises. I've tried stretching but my left ankle is now pretty much constantly in pain. A burning sensation that is pretty much never goes away now.

I stand a lot for work, and often have to be on my feet when I travel. I don't know if anyone is actually reading this, but having to purchase my first cane was very difficult. Now, it's stylish and looks pretty cool...

It doesn't change that this was the last thing that I wanted to do. So, the question for anyone else out there, who is fighting for motion is this... Do you want to maintain your independence or not? If using a stick to get around does that, then suck it up and get yourself a cane. This is not about looking pretty, it's about making sure that you keep fighting.

Ar Power

Very Exciting stuff that Creaky Joints in partnership with the University of Alabama Birmingham is getting ready to commence a research study into the things that people with autoimmune rheumatoid disease, ( aka Rheumatoid Arthritis) experience.

We've had two Patient Governor session so far, and I've met with the Data Privacy group, to represent my technical knowledge in way which will help maintain patient privacy.

In September, we're meeting in New York. I'm very excited.

A Weasel??

I was just thinking of someone who I think of as a weasel. This is someone who backstabbed not just me but also one of the nicest guys you could ever meet... After almost 7 months in his current position, he was just counselled by my old company's HR department because of his immature leadership style. 

I'm digressing, though. Has anyone ever wondered why calling someone a weasel started? Thinking of the person I was referring to, it seems like an insult to the weasel...

Apparently, the fact that they are very stealthy animals makes them a bad omen in other cultures.

Getting back to the guy I was referring to, the sneaking around, the back biting, the passive agressive who wouldn't communicate with me but would make stuff up to others, I guess does qualify him for Weasel status.

What's really funny is that the current EVP, who he's aligned himself with so closely, that one wonders about their orientation, doesn't know something pretty important about him... During the same time that he was stabbing me in the back, he was sucking up to this EVP's predecessor, trying to get a Director position.

This former EVP, who I remain good friends with, told him that he wasn't qualified for the slot. So while Bill thinks this slimy character is the best thing since sliced bread, he doesn't know that he tried to stick it to him as well...

Oh well, weasels typically get their due. It's sad really.