Familiar LessonsMy mother’s death day anniversary was at the beginning of August. She passed away when I was 12 and not a day goes by that I don’t miss her. But...Reactions0reactionsComments7 comments
RA HabitsHere are some ways to manage day-to-day habits pertaining to RA. Nan gives some tips on organizing all RA supplies like ice-packs, medications, ordering supplies, the insurance paperwork, and all...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Why I Like Going to the Doctor'sI used to hate going to the doctor’s. It was time ill spent and usually came with needle sticks, blood and urine. Everything I disliked. I also was a very...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Four Years and 200 Articles LaterIt’s nearing two decades since my diagnosis of rheumatoid arthritis/rheumatoid disease (RA/RD). Before long, the post-diagnosis length of my life’s timeline will be longer than the stretch before I knew...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
NumbnessMy first experience with numbness related to my life with rheumatoid arthritis occurred after my double knee replacement surgeries when I was a teenager. While the incision healed, I was...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Stop Pounding on the DoorAttempting to clean my bedroom the other day, I found a couple of worn old notebooks lying buried in a pile on the floor. I hadn't looked at them for...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
Competing to Be the WorstAt a recent conference, one of the marketing guru speakers argued that “we’re all competing against the best experience ever had by a customer!” It sounded nice, but I couldn’t...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments
Pride Rock“Ow, I hurt.” “WHY DIDN’T YOU ASK FOR HELP??” “...” I recently wrote an article asking why I continually push my limits. Many community members commented with their experiences with...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
What Happens When You Lose Something You Love?As I write this, I am at home in front of my computer instead of riding my bicycle. Instead, I am sitting here nursing a broken foot one day away...Reactions0reactionsComments10 comments
Seriously? No That Does Not Describe RA!Even after all these years, I am still shocked (yes, shocked) by the vast number of outlandish ideas people have about rheumatoid arthritis. I thought, just by my own personal...Reactions0reactionsComments3 comments
The Problem Of Exercise and RAI’m sitting here writing with my stationary bicycle next to me and I’m pondering my next move. Do I force my painful, swollen knees and ankles to get on and...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
RA or Not RA?One of my favorite summer shows is about a concierge doctor in the Hamptons, New York. In one episode, a patient spends his entire adult life with a MS diagnosis;...Reactions0reactionsComments94 comments
Summer SwellingIt's July, and July in Minnesota (usually) means hot, muggy, humid, tropical, oppressive, and miserable weather. The miserable part is my own opinion, of course; some crazy people love living...Reactions0reactionsComments37 comments
Pain Is What the Patient Says It Is The title of this article is my favorite definition of pain. Pain is an unpleasant experience that is subjective in nature, with a physiological component; this definition may be more...Reactions0reactionsComments8 comments
Take a Pill, Gain a PoundThere is a lot of discussion of obesity and rheumatoid arthritis (including many great articles on this site). But I am given to wonder, which came first – the RA...Reactions0reactionsComments15 comments
Relishing the Here and NowThis video looks at pausing and appreciating what we have in the present moment to give us joy and satisfaction. This actually provides stability and skill to handle our RA...Reactions0reactionsComments0 comments
The PTSD of RASo, I’m just making my bed, a small chore I do every single morning without much thought. Neatening my bedroom for the coming day lightens my mood and puts a...Reactions0reactionsComments17 comments
Support in Unlikely PlacesA very interesting thing happened to me a few weeks ago: I attended my 10-year high school reunion. First of all, I am not old enough for this reunion. Second...Reactions0reactionsComments4 comments
Does it Hurt? And Other Questions that are Really Hard to Answer I recently was talking to a good friend of mine who lives with ulcerative colitis, and the conversation turned toward how hard answers can be to seemingly innocuous and easy...Reactions0reactionsComments5 comments
Making Travel ChoicesMy husband and I really enjoy travel. We visit family, friends, and take trips to different places to see the sights, enjoy the food, and discover new experiences. I’ve felt...Reactions0reactionsComments2 comments