The party is rocking. I hear a song playing...Getting to know you...getting to know all about you.

Calling all ra-ers! Want your name up in lights! Want your story told....check in with Lyda. She is looking to feature you in an upcoming blog. What better way to spread the knowledge of ra...come on out on the dance floor and let the spotlight shine on you!

http://lydaclark.blogspot.com/2011/06/gettin-to-know-ya.html

Gettin' To Know Ya

Since I started this website, my favorite thing has been connecting with people from around the world who also have Rheumatoid Arthritis. I went from knowing maybe two other people who went through what I was going through, to a network of people all over the globe. I have never felt so at home, so comfortable, so able to open up with my new community of friends.

A year ago, I was uncomfortable discussing my health with anyone outside my circle of trusted friends and family. Once I started writing regularly and getting over my fear of opening up to strangers, I realized how great this whole idea was.

My favorite blog things that is...so here goes! I hope you give them a try like I have already done. They are now part of my blog family and I hope they become blog family members of yours too!
So let's get this party started!

RA Guy Rocks! I am not sure which of his posts is my favorite one but this one is his most recent...I for one love his art work! And while you are there, buckle up and do take the ra roller coaster ride :-)
http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/06/rheumatoid-arthritis-roller-coaster/
http://www.rheumatoidarthritisguy.com/2011/06/ra-guys-hope-unlimited-mug/

RA Guy’s “Hope! Unlimited” Mug

Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy is pleased to announce the release of his “Hope! Unlimited” mug, which is now available on Zazzle.com!

This mug was especially designed for all superheroes who are living with rheumatoid arthritis, including their friends, family members, and co-workers.
Hand drawn by RA Guy, the art work includes some of the most popular comic book images from his website. The white text on the blue sky is from his “About Me” page, which represents the first words that were ever published on his blog.
You too will feel like a superhero when you use this mug!
Help superheroes like myself overcome “Flare Incorporated” and reach “Hope! Unlimited”.
Ceramic Mug: http://www.zazzle.com/hope_unlimited_mug…
Travel Mug: http://www.zazzle.com/hope_unlimited_travel_mug…

RA Warrior...

http://rawarrior.com/santa-bring-her-a-rheumatologist-please/

Santa, Bring Her a Rheumatologist Please

Wanted: good rheumatologists

Sonya’s tweet brought me a smile. So much truth in so few words. Those of us with rheum diseases like RA need a good doctor the way most people need a reliable car mechanic. We might crash and burn without it.

This is short for two reasons:

1) I don’t have a long list of requirements. It’s pretty simple.
2) I want to hear about what you want or need in a rheumatologist!

My list: rheumatologist wanted who…

Performs joint examinations and accurately records medical history.
Uses suitable tests for monitoring disease progression and to help insure safety with prescriptions.
Stays up to date on current tests, treatments, and research.
Does not try to use rheum factor lab tests or CRP the way endocrinologists use blood glucose tests, but asks patients about disease activity.
Will fairly communicate with patients on an adult level without any type of abuse.

Treating RA is not easy and we know the field is changing quickly. Rheumatologists can learn more about RA by listening to patients and not scoffing at their symptoms, or rolling their eyes, or making rude comments such as “At least you don’t have nodules like some b@$%&* do!” or “Just get over yourself!” (Those are real recent comments sent by readers.)

Let’s boil it down to what really counts.

What do you want in a rheumatologist?

Note! I get lots of letters asking to help find a good rheumatologist. And this will only increase when the new Rheumatoid Patient Foundation site is opened. If you have a great rheumatologist, you can leave his or her name in a comment here to nominate him / her for the recommended rheum docs list. We are building a great list. We will ask if they’d like to be on the list and a patient’s name will never be mentioned.

P.S.....This is ABCsof RA here...anyone know of a great one in southeast region of NC? I am still a hunting for my great ra doc!

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RA: Ready for Action

http://ra-readyforaction.blogspot.com/2011/06/water-exercise.html

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Water Exercise

When I was officially diagnosed with RA, I joined the YWCA and started attending water exercise classes there. I also had to go out and buy a swimsuit--for the first time in 15 years! Going to the YWCA is good for my ego, as I am among the youngest there (me, with my white hair) and am almost "thin" in comparison to some people.

I especially like the deep water exercise classes, where we exercise with the noodle. It can be strenuous, though each person adapts at his/her own pace. I really like it and feel better going to these classes.

When I can attend two consecutive classes, I feel really good about myself. However, sometimes two of the deep water classes can be too much for me. It works out best if one is in the shallow end and the other in the deep end, like on Thursday mornings when there is first a water yoga class followed by an exercise one.

Not having gone since Thursday, I am eager to start again tomorrow. Luckily, I do not work, because this takes up most of each morning.

Naturally Happy Being Me...

http://naturallyhappybeingme.blogspot.com/2011/06/recall.html

Friday, June 24, 2011

Recall

I received a recall in the mail for my car. I was scheduled to have the recall done this morning. My husband and I got up early and headed to the local dealership. When I checked in I discovered the recall was not for the car I have owned for the last six years, but was for the Windstar I owned six years ago. Frustrating.

Rather than wasting the extra time before my husband had to be to work, we headed over to Starbucks, ordered a coffee and tea and sat in the car talking. During the week I don't see my husband much since I leave for school before he gets home from work and he is generally asleep when I get home. So, this unexpected time together was very much appreciated.

The Couch Trip
http://thecouchtrip.blogspot.com/2011/06/parenting-with-chronic-illness.html
Parenting with a Chronic Illness

Specializing in Depression, I often see patients that are struggling with Chronic Illness. Regardless of gender, conversation often turns to parenting when you are sick most of the time. Living with a chronic illness means learning how to BALANCE your time, your life, and your energy.

I understand this issue because I was diagnosed with Systemic Lupus 5 months before I got pregnant with my soon-to-be 16 year old daughter, Shelby. A year later I had Rheumatoid Arthritis as well...then Fibromyalgia. Oh, I had a stroke some where in between but who is counting the coumadin tablets!

I was still married then, but my husband was traveling a minimum of 3 days a week which meant I was a de facto single parent. Everyone has to deal with parenting when you are sick with a cold or the flu. But usually within a week you are back to 100% and everything in your home is going swimmingly. However, when you have an illness that flares more than it doesn't you have to find new ways to parent because rarely is anyone willing to help you all the time.

Here are a few tricks that I have used myself, and suggested to my patients.

1. THINK OUTSIDE OF THE BOX

When Shelby was a newborn it was a very difficult time for me. My husband was gone 5 days a week, I was in constant pain so I had to get creative. My pain was worse at night and I was breast feeding and it was impossible to wake up, pick her up from her crib, nurse and change her, then put her back. So I did something that many of you will probably be horrified with.

I put her in the bed with me (awaiting gasps of horror). Yes, I knew the risks. But I had a king size bed so I would nurse her before bed, the put her down between two pillows (yes, there was room for her not to smother). Then I put the Diaper Genie by my side of the bed (do they even make those any more?) put diapers, wipes, etc on the end of the bed . When she woke up I could just move one pillow and slide her up on my chest, nurse one side. Burp. Put her between my legs and change her, then nurse on the other side. She would fall asleep and I would slide her back between the pillows.

Now, those of you that are very anti "family bed" may be running from your computer (Or scampering for the comment button). Before you go postal, please understand I was so sick and in pain this was the only way to do it alone. Also, because I was breast feeding I couldn't take any biologics and I felt that at that time, breast feeding her was more important that taking care of me. My Rheumy let me do that for about 9 months...then I got too sick and it was out of my hands!

If your kiddoes are a bit older you need to figure out how many things you can dowith them while you lie in bed on a heating pad (or on a lot of pain medication). Drawing with crayons, watching videos, playing board games are all things you can do when you need to rest but they need attention. Computer games are great if you have a laptop. When they are a bit older and needing homework help, you can do this from the bed too. Consider buying one of those bed tables so your child can write on a firm surface and not get crayon or marker on your comforter.

There are also computer stands that look like Hospital Bedside Tables. They are on wheels and slide over your bed (it will work for you too!).

2.COMMUNICATION
Communication is difficult when you don't feel well. And if you have little kids under foot they can take your crankiness as a sign that you don't love them, not that you are in a lot of pain. One quick and easy suggestion is to buy some construction paper - get 3 colours: Red, Yellow and Green. Cut the red paper to look like a stop sign. Yellow can be a circle and green a tall rectangle.
Run string or ribbon through a hole in the top of each sign so you can hang one on your door nob.

Red means - STOP! I'm in a lot of pain and need to sleep. Yellow means : caution, I am hurting and may be a bit cranky so understand it's NOT YOU! And Green of course means, "I would LOVE company. Come in and play!"

This won't be necessary as they get older. They will start to get the signals when you are not feeling well.

3. TWEENS/TEENS
This is a tricky age even when you are healthy. They are starting to pull inward, and they start getting embarrassed if mom or dad "looks or acts different." If you have been sick their entire lives this will not be as big of a deal. But if you get sick when they are teens it can effect them in different ways.

At this age they are starting to be mobile - going to dances, dates, overnights. First - get a good calendar to know what is coming up when (I know, many teens/tweens don't know until 15 minutes before). Post your doctors appointments and things going on in your life - this means that on those days the fatigue factor may have kicked in and if they want to go someplace they may need to find a ride.

Technology: this is where you are going to be thrilled your child has a phone with unlimited texting! Make sure you keep in touch - what are they planning and does it work with your body! Also, they can keep you abreast of changes of locations or when they need to get picked up.

Carpool: make sure the other parents of your child's friends understand that you are sick. If you go to bed earlier, offer to take the kids to the event, and have another parent do the return trip.

Events: During High School kids really start participating in after school events and they want you there. If you know you have to attend a play, football game, or Music assembly, try to rest up for the 2 days before. DON'T PUSH IT. Rest as much as you can the day of the event (take a nap). Then take medications before you go (or bring some break through pain meds with a bottle of water in your purse- if your meds make you loopy, make sure you have a designated driver!). If you are outside, make sure you bring blankets (if you get cold) or a pillow, if sitting is painful. Think ahead!

4.GET RID OF THE GUILT

If you are dealing with chronic pain, or are in a wheel chair or using a cane, you may not be able to throw or kick a ball with your kids. I promise, I have never seen a patient in my office because mom or dad refused to throw a ball because they had MS - as long as they did other things with their children! It's QUALITY not QUANTITY. And quality mostly means LISTENING as well as TALKING TO THEM. If you feel terrible, have them come lay down with you and ask about their day. This is great with teens. Have them tell you about who they ate lunch with, what teachers are truly evil, what books are they reading. Have them show you the video games they are playing, ask about Facebook, have them play their iPod for you. You are going to want to tell them how crappy you have been all day, but they don't want to hear it. Not because they don't love you but they just can't fix it. Call YOUR friends and download. Or find a support group (online if you can't drive) to find people to talk to.

Look for websites or people on twitter (or Facebook) that are struggling with chronic illness. ASK FOR ADVICE! A great website is www.butyoudontlooksick.com. The woman that runs it is a mom and has Lupus. She is also on Twitter. Here is a forum on iVillage for chronic illness: http://forums.ivillage.com/t5/Chronic-Health-Conditions/ct-p/iv-ChronicCondz.

5. DEPRESSION
Depression happens to all of us, but when you struggle with a chronic illness it comes at you like a freight train. If you are having symptoms of Depression contact a therapist. If you can't drive don't worry, a lot of therapists do Skype Therapy. All you need is a computer with a camera (if you don't have one go to walmart - they are about $20) and then download the free program from Skype. If you don't know a therapist ask your specialist or go onto Psychology Today, Good Therapy, orTherapy Tribe. All you have to do is put in your zip code and they will list out all the therapists in your area.

As I have mentioned, when I studied Child Therapy they explained that working with kids and teens requires that you ENTER THEIR WORLD. With little ones that is through play, with older ones it is through technology! You can parent with an illness - it isn't easy, but it can be done. My daughter understands a lot about illness now - mostly because (sigh) she has developed Fibromyalgia which is devastating for us both. But we spend time eating popcorn and watching movies in bed. It's all about BALANCE and BEING CREATIVE!

How do you balance parenting and an illness? Please post any suggestions you have, I know I have just scratched the surface!
Gentle Hugs,
Dr Karen

RA Awareness
http://raawareness.blogspot.com/

Saturday, June 25, 2011

But...

My health has been testing me. My soul is tired. Through my doctors eyes the unknown future is filled with optimism. My future seems to have an everlasting cloud overhead. I may have good days but my illness will be there. Forever. Looming overhead. Like the word "but" in a sentence. I was told once to never use the word in a sentence because it voids any thoughts, feelings, etc that appear prior to the word. My cloud being "but" and looming suggests that all good moments have a negative twist. All that aside I survive.

I'm struggling with not being a contributing member of society. I had a career that I loved. Working in a pharmacy I was helping people feel better. You come in at your most vulnerable state, you trust me, I make you smile. Briefly you forget about being sick, because of me. It was very rewarding. Such a twisted irony. When I went for my last I.V. I was so annoyed. I was in a mood and I wanted to be left alone. I was mad because I saw 3 Orencia patients bouncing around. I was mad "why doesn't it work for me"? The nurse was trying to make me laugh and I have to hand it to her she was hysterical. That just made me more mad because I wanted to sulk. That makes me think. Was I really making my patients happy or were they just to beat to care I was invading their feelings?

Joe says I am contributing because I am a mom and a wife. That's not enough. I'm done with resting all day to barely fit in QT when they both don't get home until 7. I want to work. I loved my job. I want my body to cooperate so I can not be the one who always needs the help. I didn't learn all I know about medications so I could help me. I did it so I could help you.

ABC's of RA

Monday, June 27, 2011

The Blog Party Rocks on!