Getting Through the DarknessIn this particular case, when I reference darkness, I am talking about light....glorious light. It really fascinates me how different the daylight hours are depending on where you live. I knew this...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
2020 ResolutionsNew year, new me, new decade…I’m getting it done. Last decade was rough. It was my first ten years of my diagnosis and I fought myself every step of the...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Embrace the NapLet’s look back a little, to when we were kids; back when we had to take naps at least once a day. They were forced on us because we didn’t...Reactions0reactionsComments35 comments
Yes, Valentine's Day Reminds Us of LoveSo, in the interests of transparency, my birthday is on Valentine’s Day and my last name is Hart, so I do have a particular affinity for this holiday. We do know...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Using Poetry for Pain Management with Rheumatoid ArthritisI’m busy. Busy fighting Busy healing Busy resting Busy reading I’m fine. Fine feeling Fine looking Fine being Just fine I’m chronically okay chronically sick chronically fighting chronically...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
It Takes Two to Tango, It Takes Three to Get PregnantA typical relationship centers around two people: me and someone else. Simple, right? Not anymore. Now there is a third individual to think about: my rheumatoid arthritis. It is just...Reactions0reactionsComments6 comments
Twist and Shout - What a Pain in the NeckIt had been several years since I had any significant degree of neck pain, other than the standard stiffness one might get from turning at an odd angle or sitting...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Breaking Old Habits or Building New OnesBreaking old habits or introducing new ones are often difficult things to do. More so if the habit you wish to break has a high immediate payoff or addictive potential...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Raynaud's DiseaseNow that the weather has turned (much) colder in Minnesota, my swollen and inflamed joints are happier thanks to the cool, dry weather. The heat and especially the humidity of...Reactions0reactionsComments26 comments
Finding the Silver Lining - Parenting with RARheumatoid arthritis is a particularly nasty beast that takes so much away from us on a daily basis. However, as much as life with rheumatoid arthritis has taken pieces of...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Adaptability, Control, and RAWe live in a society that is inherently fluid—or, so we are told. And because of that fluidity, we are supposed to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to instantaneously change...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
Moving from Goals to Intentions in 2020For a number of years I’ve done well with setting and tracking health-related goals. (See previous articles: 2014 Goals, 2015 Goals, 2016 Goals, 2017 Goals, 2018 Goals, Goals 2019). Perhaps surprisingly (at least to...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Who Steals a Wheelchair Cab?!It was raining and I was exhausted when I arrived into my home station on the train and discovered that my wheelchair cab wasn’t there. I received a message that...Reactions0reactionsComments11 comments
It's January... Now What?We survived the holidays!! We even had fun, because we planned ahead. Now it’s January. The landscape is barren, white or grey, devoid of life. It’s a new year, but...Reactions0reactionsComments13 comments
Voting Makes SenseI am not an athlete. I wish I were, so I could run and defeat RA like many of our warriors. I wish I could do the Jingle Bell Run...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Falling into Winter with RAIt’s “winter” here in Florida. Of course, I use quotation marks around that because it doesn’t really get that cold where I live compared to other parts of the country...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
Tips on Coping with Holidays and Family EventsI’m a little late with this article, but I feel like this group will forgive me!! Honestly, when do we not have events to plan for? This time of year...Reactions0reactionsComments1 comments
HolidachesI have always looked forward to the holiday season. Out of all the holidays, Christmas has always been my absolute favorite. Celebrating with family and friends, while surrounded by beautiful...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
How Not to Cope with Rheumatoid ArthritisLately, people have been asking a lot how I cope with RA and the host of adorable secondary conditions that come with it. Well, here’s my answer: I just do!...Reactions0reactionsComments91 comments
Learn to Speak DoctorMy husband and I were waiting for the train to Berlin’s central station when a group of young Asians exited the escalator onto the platform. They were obviously a little...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments