Space Archives | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Not a Real RA Patient

April 29, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 36 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms, Space

I always had a silly super-hero complex. I thought that I could do anything if I tried hard enough or stayed up late enough. Add to that endless optimism and a belief that God will always make everything turn out right. There’s this tendency to see life as a maze with many options. Never give up;...Continue reading 36 Comments » Read more

Winter Solstice Lunar Eclipse: Was the Moon Really Red?

December 21, 2010May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 7 Comments Invisible Illness, Measuring rheumatoid disease activity, Space

What would a lunar eclipse on the solstice be without my beloved camera? I pulled my thickest Redskins blanket over my head and went to sleep on the sofa with all of the lights on. The lunar eclipse on the winter solstice was a once in a lifetime event I would surely not miss. When I...Continue reading 7 Comments » Read more

Chronic Rheumatoid Arthritis, Perspective, & the Church

January 25, 2010May 17, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 54 Comments Emotions and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Faith, Space, Transparency & living with RA

Swell opportunities with chronic RA It was a weekend of dramatic contrasts. There was good, bad, and ugly. There was failure, success, and “I suppose one day we’ll see a reason for that!” However, thanks to Rheumatoid Arthritis, I’m accustomed to rolling with the punches and saying, “Whatever.” I try not to stop at “whatever.” I know...Continue reading 54 Comments » Read more

My RA Methotrexate / Enbrel Test: How Well Do Methotrexate & Enbrel Work on Symptoms of Rheumatoid Arthritis?

November 10, 2009May 17, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 49 Comments Enbrel, Humira, Methotrexate, Professional patient, Space, Unrelenting RA - Persistent disease

My “dangerous” RA research? These last few weeks have provided me with an opportunity to measure the success of methotrexate and Enbrel at treating Rheumatoid Arthritis. Although I was an accidental guinea pig, I have been interested in to learn all I can from this test. How much worse would my Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms be without...Continue reading 49 Comments » Read more

Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis Can Leave You Stuck in Orbit

May 22, 2009May 17, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 18 Comments Courage & living with RA, Rheumatoid arthritis fatigue, Space

Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis can get you stuck. We who live on the Space Coast follow the Space Shuttle like most towns follow their local high school football team. When there’s a launch, people run out into the yard, climb up on their roofs, and cheer like it’s July 4th. What are fireworks compared to a giant...Continue reading 18 Comments » Read more