Patience & living with RA Archives | Rheumatoid Arthritis Warrior

Relax: Survival Mode and Our Intrinsic Value

June 11, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 57 Comments Encouragement for living with RA, Patience & living with RA

The past few weeks have been full of chaos and minor crises. Not enough to stress me out, but enough to keep my days overfull with no strength left at the end to write – only sleep. I read last month of a study of mothers of more than three children1, that they are less...Continue reading 57 Comments » Read more

Anyone Else Lose Time Thanks to Rheumatoid Disease?

March 29, 2013May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 8 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Patience & living with RA, Rheumatoid Arthritis spine

I lost another week. Anyone know where I put it? Seems like the left side of my cervical spine had an inflammation party this week. I ended up with some swelling that pinched the nerve going down the back of my arm and pushed a rib out near my shoulder blade. The orthopedic doc figures it...Continue reading 8 Comments » Read more

Mascara, Antibodies, and Soup: All I Know about a Disease

October 23, 2012June 10, 2020 Kelly O'Neill 39 Comments Living with chronic illness like RA, Patience & living with RA, Unrelenting RA - Persistent disease

I always thought living off fresh smoothies and homemade soup along with regular exercise would keep me strong. And surely working hard and caring for others makes one too busy for chronic illness. All I know is that I woke up one morning and my toes were pointing out in odd directions because the joints were...Continue reading 39 Comments » Read more

Lessons from a Dumb Phone & a Disabled Computer

September 17, 2012May 14, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 30 Comments Emotions and Rheumatoid Arthritis, Faith, Patience & living with RA

Last month I ordered a lightweight keyboard to use with an iPad. I planned to get one to downsize for travel, so I'd be more able to manage my briefcase alone when needed. I'm typing on that keyboard today from my sofa for another reason... Almost 2 weeks ago, I went through a Microsoft upgrade process...Continue reading 30 Comments » Read more

RA Reality Versus “The Lie”

July 5, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 116 Comments Pain Tolerance / RA Stoicism, Patience & living with RA, Rheumatoid arthritis pain

When everything looks normal but it’s all wrong Countless times I’ve said that I would gladly be wrong about RA. I’d gladly be delusional instead of this sick. I often say “If only I actually were crazy. Then, I could take medication and at least believe I felt better.” Of course it’s a facetious remark, but...Continue reading 116 Comments » Read more

My Birthday Cards to Make You Smile

February 21, 2011May 15, 2018 Kelly O'Neill 28 Comments Humor with RA, Patience & living with RA, Transparency & living with RA

By the time I go to sleep it will be my birthday. It is a strange occasion. Just about five years ago, my whole life changed when occasional RA flares became a full-blown disease. Like many of you: not very many people in my life knew what Rheumatoid Arthritis is. Most of them still don’t. I’ve tried...Continue reading 28 Comments » Read more