Comments on: Being Blessed While Having Rheumatoid Arthritis

By: Chris Egan

Chris Egan — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 14:17:10 +0000

Hi Kelly,
I have been following you for several months now on your blog and am so wonderfully blessed to have found your incredibly informative site, RA Warrior ! Thank you for your honesty, helpfulness and sensitivity to this very misunderstood disease. I too have RA and don’t really think of myself as “cheerful” as such; maybe just very aware in my own sense that God has allowed me to struggle with this disease but has given me a total peace and ability to live with both the struggles as well as the wonderful blessings. I have suffered with many aspects of RA, but also know God is in full control of all of it. I am thankful He has given me relief from much of the pain, etc. for now and Trust Him fully with what He has for me in the future. Thank you once again for your blog – it has taught me and helped me beyond words. God’s richest Blessings to you and your family. Chris

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:52:07 +0000

It is challenging Nancy, but you have stated it well. Thanks.

By: Nancy Nemecheck

Nancy Nemecheck — Fri, 18 Mar 2011 13:15:36 +0000

This blog is a lifesaver to me. I come on here every morning, as I can, to avoid isolation. I AM BLESSED! I have prayed not to be bitter, not to feel sorry for myself. Thoughts are usually followed by actions and if my thoughts are negative then soon my words and actions will also be negative. Sometimes chronically ill people are isolated because they have become angry and critical toward others.
but if our thoughts are “other” centered, we are able to maintain our humanity and not dwell within our pain.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:45:41 +0000

Thank you Nicole. I agree with your decision to fight, “I also refuse to lie down and give up and die due to a rapid, insidious onset of RA…” I hope it helps you a lot and the side effects are minimal.

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:32:22 +0000

PS- I am a “cleric”, (I think that’s as close a word to my world as is possible).

I was raised in a secular household, by a family of Amglican heritage- the focus was on doing/being “good”, and not on religion.
As an adult, I found I needed more and became ordained. I believe in accepting all faiths- and in the Chicago suburbs (and all of Illinois), I am able to marry, baptize, bury, anyone of any faith. More importantly, I look to all books of love- to all people- as the marriage of science and mystic faith creates something wonderful.
I bring this up, because, as I ask for “your” help, I offer mine- in whatever manner I can give it. If I am needed for any matter regarding ANY faith, please do contact me. Life is short, but joy is eternal.
Peace,
Nicole

By: Nicole

Nicole — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 11:22:16 +0000

Wow- Bless you and this site-
I’m 37; could not tolerate Plaquenil and in about 72 hours, I will begining MTX. My rheum. is a research physician- and I am a biochemist: together we have decided ( though I would to God there were a different solution) that I need MTX. I will also take folate- 1 gram (weekly, I believe). I’m frightened, as I understand the intricacies of this med: but I also refuse to lie down and give up and die due to a rapid, insidious onset of RA (with RSD from two spinal fusions, and blood work numbers that point at Lupus, as well).
I feel blessed that I can learn from this (gifted) author, and this site. I will hold you all in my heart and prayers- and humbly ask that you do the same-
Thank you for this site- your leadership, kindness and information. I will add anything I can. May the higher spirits bless us all, and hold us up, somehow.
Peace,
Nicole

By: waynette gatlin

waynette gatlin — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 16:26:45 +0000

i am blessed with ra!!! I had to move in with my mom and i am so much closer to my parents and i am able to help them more than i ever could!!! I have time now to be involved more in my kids life!!

By: Most Tweeted Articles by arthritis Experts: MrTweet

Most Tweeted Articles by arthritis Experts: MrTweet — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 14:02:07 +0000

Your article was most tweeted by arthritis experts in the Twitterverse…

Come see other top popular articles surfaced by arthritis experts!…

By: Jamie Paske

Jamie Paske — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 22:31:03 +0000

Us RA’ers CAN do anything!!!!

By: Gillian

Gillian — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 13:54:36 +0000

I once found an article by another RA blogger which asked “What has RA given to you?”, which prompted me to sit down and give some serious thought to the things that having RA has given me, rather than worrying about the things that it has taken. The three things that came most to mind are greater compassion & understanding for others. I became involved in a support group for RA & AI diseases as a member which due to, what I believe now were fated circumstances’, I now own and co run. I feel through this group that I am able to ‘give back’ & help others to learn to live with RA.
This brings me to the second ‘gift’ that Ra has given me, my amazing RA’er friends. I’ve met so many amazing people both through our group and recently a new friend from the RA warrior FB group. Its wonderful to have so many special friends who truly understand life with RA, no matter how supportive your family & friends, no one can really fully understand how it feels but us.
Thing three is time. I had to retire from my little part time, and much loved job as a dinner lady last June, and while I felt at the time that RA had stolen something precious, it had, but it had also given me the gift of time to do other things that I never had the time or energy for when I was working. Time to take each day as it comes and go with the flow, whether that be a day where I feel able to accomplish a fair bit, daily jobs round the house, coffee with a friend or loved one etc, or a day where I manage nothing more than chilling on the sofa with a bunch of movies and my laptop.
I’m grateful for each day, the good and the not so good & I’m grateful to that blogger for making me realise that chronic disease doesn’t just take from us, it gives back too.

Gilly