I am still battling...

By beecharmer816

1 min read

I have been battling Rheumatoid Arthritis for 25 years now. I turned 50 this year and that is when I realized...this disease has ravaged my body for 1/2 my life. It attacked me during my child bearing years. 18 surgeries later, 2 titanium knees and a titanium elbow, all replaced and revised 2 times already. Crumbling bones and all....I AM STILL BATTLING. I am in pain EVERY day, but I will not let this disease take anything else from me. I still work full-time and it is a struggle every day to get this battered body up and out of the house, but I do it because I still can. Don't ever give up, you must keep battling, it's not over

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hwb0w4 Member
Good for you BeeCharmer!! I can't believe that you are still working. You are a real Power Source! Eighteen surgeries?? WOW! I haven't had that many due to RA. I suppose you have had your fingers and toes done also. I have not. Just my left hip and left knee. I do need my right knee and both shoulders done however. I gained the RA symptoms shortly after my first baby was born. It was an unhappy time mostly, looking after my little Guy, then I gave birth to my baby Girl. It was a tough job but I made it through the thunder years. I had my 3rd Child to look after also(my Hubby 😁 ). I love them all dearly though. Now that I'm 60, they take turns looking after me and my broken body. I hope that you continue fighting the Good Fight. Also, I hope that you find medications that work well for you, as I did. Happy Mother's Day to you, if it applies to you.
zanda1000 Member
BeeCharmer, you are a real inspiration o me not to EVER give up. I wasn't diagnosed until I was 45 years old, but I've been to hell and back. I also am in pain everyday, as I guess most people with RA are, but you learn to cope. I also am still working, better than siting at home. I thank you for sharing, and take care of yourself.
1. hwb0w4 Member
 FYI Zanda, I haven't spent all my life sitting at home. I raised my babies all day while my hubby was at work including taking us all to our Dr. appointments. Plus I looked after 3 of my friends babies until they were old enough to go into senior kinderkarten. I also did the usual housework and helping our kids with their homework, etc, etc. It was my Rheumy's recommendation that I stop working since I had a very physical job before my RA diagnosis. I was in disbelief and disappointed but I came to realize that he had been so right and that staying home to look after my kids and others were more important to my health. Since 2003, I have been helping mainly newly dxd. people with Type 1 Diabetes and RA on different sites. You are very lucky to be dxd. when you were older.
2. zanda1000 Member
 When I said "better than sitting at home" I was referring to myself
David Advent Moderator & Contributor
Hi BeeCharmer816, thank you for sharing your experiences and story with RA! You truly are an inspiration to our community with all that you have been through. Please know that we are here to support you, and thank you for being a member of this community! -David (RheumatoidArthritis.net Team Member)