No Room for Comfort

Diagnosing takes a while. Let's just say that I was misdiagnosed 5 yrs earlier than when I was diagnosed properly. Living with this debilitating disease is challenging.

Needing Help

I'm up extremely early because of it. There are times when I just want to cry, but it wouldn't help, and I would find myself doing that every day! I have to sometimes be helped out of my bath as well as my toilet. It's embarrassing!

Caretaking

I have 3 adult children that reside with me and it's still hard. My oldest daughter stated to me last week that she feels like if she left I would die and that's because she does more for me than her father or siblings. I do have these "feeling guilty" moments, but what else can be done? I've had to tell my daughter that she has to have a life outside of me.

Mental Struggles

I struggle with some moments of depression, and that's mainly because of the never ending pain. I've fallen and broken both ankles at different times within the last 5 yrs. My entire spine and hips never do stop hurting. In addition, I not only suffer from RA but I also have Osteoarthritis!

My orthopedic doctor is afraid to operate on a joint in my lower back that's separated. He stated that there is a 50% chance of me becoming paralyzed. WHAT DO YOU DO??!! I'm so frustrated with lubing with this every day, but I'm immediately reminded that I'm still fortunate, and blessed to be here.