Comments on: How Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms Can Be a Grinch

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:10:00 +0000

You are still a power-shopper to me, Sally!! :yes:

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:09:24 +0000

Trudii, what a wonderful example.

By: bethhenshaw

bethhenshaw — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 09:27:43 +0000

I found that my $10.00 stand mixer (from a yard sale) makes excellent bread! I can use the paddle and dough hook to make challah, which barely requires much hand-y work. Compared to cookies that seem more wearing, I am using that stand mixer to make Christmas bread and wearing my yoga pants and not caring about all the extra stuff. I am taking extra naps and petting my “therapy” cat – Lucy! My dog and cat and kids all make the goofy extra – erraneous stuff seem insignificant. My husband can wrap the gifts, besides he better at it anyway!

By: Sally

Sally — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 23:12:00 +0000

Thank goodness for internet shopping- I got almost all of my gifts yesterday on-line, most with free shipping. They will be delivered straight to Michigan where we will be for Christmas- no packing them into the car for the trip. No crowds, long lines, or coughing and sneezing all around me!
RA put me in the hospital from December 7-23 last year and stole all of my pre-holiday activities and parties. I am determined to have a better holiday this year. The trick is to make the most of what we have without overdoing it- Payback is usually not worth it.

By: trudii

trudii — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:45:00 +0000

l so dread Christmas every year,because of limits from RA.l too miss baking and shopping,decorating,visiting,etc.the hardest for me is the guilt l feel each christmas(all holidays)to provide a memorable time for my sons.they understand my limits(more than l do,you know how moms are,lol)and appreciate what l can still do and help where they can.when my oldest son got baptized last year,he credited me,saying witnessing my faith through chronic illness led him to not take his life and especially health for granted and mostly led him to live for Christ.l relate so much to your post,as l’m sure MANY do.

By: Kelly Young

Kelly Young — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:33:30 +0000

Jen,
You’re welcome. :heart: I’m so glad that a diagnosis and treatment has meant you can continue to work so much. Do be gentle with yourself as you said. It’s wonderful to hear about your supportive husband, too. :yes:

By: Dee Maxwell

Dee Maxwell — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 20:08:45 +0000

As I type this, I can barely hold my arms up to get it done. I gave into the urge to be the “old” me and shopped for twelve hours yesterday. I had fun with a friend and as is tradition for me, tried to make sure every child in our family got the “perfect” gift while saving some money. I am proud of what I accomplished, but at what cost? I will probably pay for this with a flare that last for days. I guess I’m still learning to work with the Grinch, instead of fighting against the Grinch. I am very greatful to you and all the support you give. That gift is worth more than all the shopping for Christmas any of us can do on foot or on line!

By: Lyn

Lyn — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 19:51:56 +0000

Thanks again, Kelly, for all you do. Tanya, what a great idea. I love to give, but have always had limited funds and family members with real needs. Always did make presents and loved doing it. This year they will be personalized but mostly ordered online.I had to give up cookies, etc. a long time ago, and even wrapping packages. $store gift bags work fine. But what I really wanted to say is that life is full of changes, shifts, and yes, losses, even without RA: children grow up, move far away, then grandchildren do the same, all of us slow down and become less mobile, and unfortunately, sometimes acquire painful illnesses as we age. We, the RA Warriors, have a jump on how to deal with these adaptations: we’ve developed coping skills ahead of the herd, and that can be a blessing.

By: Jen

Jen — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 17:32:30 +0000

Thank you so much for all that you share. This is the first year we have known “what was wrong” and could put a name to the reasons I have felt the way I do. It has also been the year where I have felt the worst. With meds and some lifestyle changes I am functional which means working 50+ hour weeks in a difficult job and taking care of my young family. I have an incredibly supportive husband who helps tremendously. But the “extra” stuff like holidays are now so much more difficult. I’m trying to think through some re-dos on my holiday traditions. I’m shopping online more. (Though I do miss the black Friday fun.) I’m having my kids decorate bags that I will put store bought treats in, instead of the store bought bags holding my homemade treats. I don’t know what other ideas will come around for things to do. I miss the putting up of food I would do, and the filling of the freezer with treats plus the making of homemade gifts. But now for now, I am trying to be gentle with myself. I am buying more canned goods to donate. I am taking the time to tell people how much I cherish them and how much I appreciate them. And I am trying to take the time to do what I need to feel ok which means more sleep, eating better, etc. Thanks for all you do to help me feel supported, even though you don’t know me. As the process of being diagnosed has gone on, you have been a big source of support for both me and my husband.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Sat, 27 Nov 2010 17:17:51 +0000

Kelly,
Over the past few weeks your site has really helped me. They had taken me off all of my RA meds and I did not have any idea how bad it could be until then. I was using a walking and crying to get to the couch where my prednisone and vicodin was. It is wonderful to have people that can put a good spin on RA and make me laugh!!!! Thanks for all you do!