Having RA has made me a cat!

I can't say that it just happened and one day I woke up (well on those few occasions when I am awake) and realized I had taken on so many of my four legged kitty companions personality traits.  In reality, I have been slowly transforming into a cat for over fourteen years.

I ask myself often if I didn't have ra would I have such a close affinity to this animal? A resounding NO pops into my brain. Until I yawn, circle around slowly and curl back up on my bed.

And how exactly, you may be asking yourself by now, have I become a cat.  Well let me digress here for a moment. Over 14 years ago I was diagnosed with ra and overnight the transformation started.

First, I slept (and still do often) for over 14 hours a day!  And that is often just the minimum. Sleeping is a necessity for raers as well as for our four legged counterparts. But for us it is not traditionally wired into our brains. Until, that is, we are invaded by the ra bug and instantaneously our sleep button is turned on. Like cats we love to find a nice warm spot (no matter the time of day or night and yes our warmth may be generated by a heating pad), snuggle in and promptly fall asleep. According to Random Facts, "on average, cats spend 2/3 of every day sleeping. That means a nine-year-old cat has been awake for only three years of its life." That sounds about right. Let's see…fourteen years of ra puts me awake for about 5 years since 1999. No wonder I get so little done! But really, I can't help it! I just have to curl up and sleep!

Iams informs us that "nighttime is the right time". I can't completely agree with them about that fact but from a cat's perspective, that is absolutely correct. For me the clock slowly changed. It didn't happen in one quick 24 or 48 hour period but rather grew out of the constant night time roaming to find pain relief. And after many years of this behavior, I believe, my clock has been reset permanently. But unlike a cat, I do have trouble sleeping, I am not getting enough exercise and I am not instinctively crepuscular. And no, I don't hunt at night (well maybe for a bottle of pain medicine) and my eyes do not detect motion in minimal lighting. In fact, my eyes hardly detect anything anymore. Yet, I find myself up with my two kitties on a regular basis. And yes, we both head into the kitchen to fix ourselves a nice nighttime snack.

Did you know that cats also like to rub everything! And I do mean everything. For them this is their way of marking their territory. For me, I also rub everything but not furniture or other humans. Rather, I rub myself. I rub myself with every ointment out there known to man to help curtail the often throbbing in my joints. Yes, rubbing is our way of marking our territory. 

According to Iams "for the most part, cats get along well with people and other cats.  Sometimes they display their natural instinct to be alone, but who doesn't need some "me time" now and again?  However, when a cat displays too much introversive behavior, it can be a sign that something is seriously stressing her out". Mmmmmm….sounds just like me! And any other human out there with ra. Of course we are stressed out, of course we display too much introversive behavior. And indeed, there is something seriously stressing us out…we have ra!

One of my favorite Iams feline facts (an soooo very appropriate for me)… "Is your cat displaying more aggression toward a particular person? He or she is likely the source of the stress.  To help overcome this, have that person feed your cat and give her lots of treats throughout the day.  Also, he or she should try talking to your cat in a softer, higher pitched voice that soothes a cat's sensitive ears." OK one and all…take heed! Start feeding me treats throughout the day. I prefer chocolates, caramels, and an occasional healthy cooked meal. And by all means do talk to me a in softer voice. Now wouldn't it be such a pleasure to walk into say my doctor's office and have him put this into practice. That alone would make me start to purrrrr!

And one practice I have already implemented that Iam's recommends is to "relieve stress with fun".  I try to adhere to this advice on a regular basis and can attest to the fact that it really does work. It truly does! I don't use fishing pole type toys (although some of you men out there might want to give that a try) but I have found that flying a kite at the crack of dawn on a desolate beach brings a smile to my face. Sure, I have to go back to that rubbing thing again immediately but it is well worth it! Try implementing a bucket list for yourself and go for it!

Yes, indeed I am now completely transformed. I am almost 100% cat! I even have the additional hair growing everywhere to prove it. Thank you pregnisone for that!!!

Have a purrrrfectly delightful day!

I am falling for Fall...

The air isn't quite crisp enough for me...not just yet anyway.  But every which way I turn, I see fall surrounding me with her beauty, her wonderful colors, and her enticing fruits of this season.  It is truly breathtaking and it fills my soul with joy!

I mean who wouldn't want to submerge themselves in the fun of this season.  We have many traditions in my household and I find that it is because of these traditions I am able to keep going.  Able to get up and move on, push myself to do because I know the fun it will be.  Traditions are so important and traditions keep us grounded in life.

I have committed to "live in the moment" and I am striving to do this every single day of my life. But it is when I do our traditions that I am probably the most content, the most happy, and the most joyful in life. True...I love new experiences but traditions are like the warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold night, that warm soft blanket we snuggle in when we aren't feeling quite right, or that soft worn out flannel shirt we wear year after year because it brings us comfort.  Yes, traditions are comfort food for me.  And heck, they don't always have calories either :-)

So off to the pumpkin farm we ventured this day. And what a grand day indeed....

The pumpkin patch is featured yearly at a local church.

And yes, there are pumpkins here, there and everywhere!

But what the heck is this! I was so tempted to bring it home and add some feathers.

There are big pumpkins, medium ones and tiny ones too!

TJ found her perfect pumpkin.

I'd say she is a bit excited with her find!

Just the right size for me and my ra hands.

Little Miss Muffet sat on her tuffet and this spider came to scare her away!

Our happy fall fireplace.

My kitty pumpkin. 

TJ's elegant pumpkin. Ain't it pretty?

I truly hope that this inspires you to grab a loved one or a friend and decorate a pumpkin of your very own.  It is truly a great way to welcome in the fall.

OKzzzz...I'mz takinz youz advice...diz iz definitelyz az differentz purrrrspectivezzz onz lifez!

My daughter and I are walking in the upcoming Arthritis Foundation walk. If you would like to make a donation, I know it would go to a great cause! From the bottom of my heart...thank you.

http://wilmingtonarthritiswalk.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=1014430&supId=365959918

The Rip Tide...

The first call came over two and 1/2 months ago.  He was ill. He had been diagnosed with lung cancer caused from agent orange. My brother was in a fight for his life.

Immediately I left, drove the grueling 10 hour drive to be with him. To do what I could, when I could and as I should.  We all fought together side by side for weeks. It went on for weeks. The around the clock care to do what we could, when we could and as we could.

We didn't win the battle though. It reminds me of a rip tide. You get caught up in it. Your first instinct is to fight against it and fight hard. Of course you believe you will win the battle. But as you fight it you are overwhelmed with the realization that at some point if you don't just let go and drift out, succumb to the realization that you can't beat it, you will drown anyway. That is what the fight reminds me of when one is fighting such a cancer.  And not that I don't want to ever believe that many will win but in his case, the foundation was laid years and years ago and the odds were stacked against us all. Damn Vietnam War! Damn agent orange!

He passed away July 26, 2012.  He was only 64. His favorite motto was "Livin' the Moment".  And so since his death I have been trying to do just that. I have taken back out my bucket list and began to consciously work off that list.  I am trying to Live in The Moment to honor him and his memory. To honor all their memories.

The waves have finally (I hope) washed me roughly back up onto the shore.  It has been a tough rip current ride this past few months. One that I am not sure I can ever (nor maybe should I ever) forget.  And one that will take me a long, long time to unravel and come to grips with.  We loose so much in our lives living with chronic illness and one would think that we would get use to riding out the tough times. But we don't.  We truly don't.

I think these past few years and all my close family members passing has just taken its toll on me. I will try to stay grounded on the beach for awhile and I will try to tend my life but I will always (and I mean always) have my eye on the far horizon…wondering if the rip tide will get me again.

How I try to forget about ra...

I know that we can never really forget about ra because it is there like the very heart that keeps us going. But I do try really hard to forget about my ra.  And one of my favorite places I like to go when I am able is a local hideaway here in my hometown.  I can't help but smile when I am here...

This lovely little gem is our county's arboretum.  Here I am taken away by the beauty of a cultivated haven, kept safe by master gardeners trained at this very spot.

Every season offers a variety of bursting colors, smells, and natural beauty that reminds me of just how blessed I truly am on this earth.

And every corner offers a different garden...should one wish to replicate it in their own backyard. I say...just move me here instead!

In addition to a water garden, a Japanese garden, Children's garden, and ability garden there is a breathtaking rose garden.  But this beauty only blooms once per year.

And even though I come here to get away from it all, I am still reminded of the beast that lurks within.  This serpent has become my mascot of sorts for my personal ra.  He is always hiding but if you look closely you will see him at every turn.

And although there is a lovely paved walkway that weaves in and near each garden, if one is brave you can get off the beaten path if you wish.

This little gem is one of my favorite flowers!  And yes, I do have these in my backyard at home as well.

For me, bridges remind me of my accomplishments.  There is just something comforting and inviting when I see such a beauty.  I can't help but want to crossover it and get to the other side.

And yes, for the weary they have built in many rest stops along the way.

If you are lucky enough to have an arboretum in your neck of the woods, I highly recommend you pack a picnic and head on over.  You may just be surprised at the many wonders that lurk within.  Happy trails!

OKz...letz me getz thiz straightz. Yuz getz toz goez toz thiz loveliez place, whiltz I stays homez in my holez? Ohz heckz noz! Youz willz payz dearlyz tonightz!

Bad Blogger!

Yup that's me! I have been away for awhile in the real world.  Part of my absence has been due to traveling and some due to lack of wanting to write.  I think that blogging can become like having a chronic illness.  At times we just want to run away from it all and pretend like nothing is wrong. Pretend that everything is perfect and we are normal like the rest of the world. But sadly that just isn't the case.

I know I have arrived at a crossroads.  A crossroads with many intersecting conflicts brewing inside, many thoughts to wade through until I come up with resolutions.  Partly I know that some of this is due to my chronic illnesses and partly I know it is also just due to life.  Even healthy normal people go through these conflicts and this is good to know.

What will I do?  I am not so sure right now and this is partly the reason I have been avoiding blogging.  I needed some time to step away from things for awhile, time to just try and live without thinking about chronic illness.

Was I successful?  Well, one never really escapes chronic illness and I know you know this if you are reading this blog.  It will always be there lurking somewhere and although we may try to push it aside for awhile, it is still in the shadows of our lives.  But for a period of time I did at times forget I was chronically ill. And no, the pain did not just evaporate but because I was able to immerse myself in a different place, a different paradigm, I did get away from it all.

Even if just for awhile.

Thank you for your support during this time and thank you for your patience.

Iffinz uz thinkz I wuz outz of de spotlitz furz longz....uz iz kiddinz yurselfz! Iz iz backz! Seez whatz uz beenz missinz!

In The Joint Part IV

In this post I will cover how ra can impact our eyes, sense of smell and taste, teeth, and jaw.  The ra impact journey is unveiled first with our eyes.

"My eyes are an ocean in which my dreams are reflected." Author unknown.

If you have ra, you need to protect your eyes and know that, yes indeed, ra can impact them as well.  RA, being a systemic disease, does not exclude our eyes.  RA can cause dry eyes which is also a symptom of Sjogren's syndrome, inflammation of the interior of the eye known as uveitis,  episcleritis or inflammation of the membrane covering the white part of the eye, scleritis or inflammation of the white part of the eye, glaucoma which can lead to blindness, and cataracts which causes clouding of the lens of the eye.

Please be sure to have your eyes checked yearly by an opthamologist which is an eye specialist.

Moomee agrees with me about the importance of your eyes...

Lookz intoz my eyez deeplyz. Iz haz youz underz myz spellz. 

Nowz go getz mez somez foodz!

Directly ra doesn't seem to have much impact on smell and taste but autoimmune diseases like sjogren's syndrome can definitely have an impact on taste.  In addition several of the medications that are prescribed for ra have side effects on both taste and smell.  So in my book, although it may not be ra directly impinging on our senses, ra is still the culprit.  Typical medications that can play havoc on these two senses are corticosteroids. (Note: in order to use this link, you will need to change the drop down selection at the left upper side of their chart and select corticosteroids) Although there is no "official" offering about corticosteroids impacting taste and smell, from personal experience I can attest to the fact that it does heighten both these senses. In addition, if one searches several of the other commonly prescribed medications (search under DMARDS on their chart), you will notice mouth sores listed for methotrexate.  In my humble opinion, if you are having difficulty with either of these senses, mention it to your ra doctor and also speak with your pharmacist to see if any of your current medications could be the culprit. Just because that specific side effect you personally are experiencing is not listed somewhere, does not in fact rule out that it is a side effect for you. And if you are experiencing a loss of  smell or taste, this link offers several tips on how to possibly improve them.

Personally I have spent a small fortune on attempting to keep my teeth in my mouth! Within the past two years alone, I have had three root canals and caps.  And of course, without dental insurance, the out of pocket expense is hefty.  Research has shown that patients with ra seem to experience a higher incidence of periodontal disease. It is pretty much common sense in my book. We have increased inflammation and therefore it just makes sense that we could be more prone to an inflammatory type of gum disease like periodontal disease. And as with our eyes, you should see a dentist regularly if you can afford it.  Also, those of us on corticosteroids need to be vigilant to ward off osteoporosis which can also negatively impact tooth health.

And last, the jaw can definitely be destroyed with ra.  The jaw being a joint has been known to not only  become painfully swollen with ra but can even lock in position making it very difficult to eat. About.com offers a nice review of temporomandibular disorders (TMD).  I have been fortunate in that I have no experienced the pain of TMD but I have had several bouts with this problem in the past. I have found that cold and/or hot compresses have helped as well as blending my food or opting for soups. Chewing was out of the question.  My heart goes out to any of you out there that have any of the aforementioned problems that can be associated with ra.  No, this disease is not an easy one to endure but with some patience and alot of help from specialists, we can get through and persevere.

Arez youz kiddingz? Where'z the beefz? This dietz stinkz!

Further reading on In The Joint:
In The Joint
In The Joint Part II
In The Joint Part III

How far have we come?

I have been wanting, needing to write this post for some time now but have put it off. I am not sure exactly why I have avoided writing this much needed post but I have.

I think a great deal of the reluctance to put down in words what I have witnessed recently in the medical field is due to the fact that I am just so disappointed that little has changed. In fact, I find it has only gotten worse since my maiden voyage with ra.

I am referring to a medical situation that arose with a close family member this year. I had truly hoped that the medical community had figured out a way to make the diagnostic process alot easier for patients but I am sadly mistaken.  The process has only gotten more mucked up, much more expensive, and unfortunately in this case with no answers after all is said and done.

Perhaps I am just to simplistic of an individual and perhaps I see things differently.  It just aggravates me to no end when I see our current system in operation.

The particular problem was weight loss. Weight loss to the point where it was obvious that something was wrong. Very wrong!

So off to the doctors they go. Their particular health care insurance requires them to go to a particular service provider to coordinate the care if they are to receive the lowest copay. So off to the service provider they went.

Now perhaps I am being very simplistic here but I would think (a duh moment here) that given that weight loss is the first symptom listed, that a doctor would ask the most obvious. But noooooo...why would they? That would be too simplistic!

So here is the list of doctors this person saw to try and figure out exactly what was causing the weight loss...

Internist that referred them to an eating disorder clinic for a psychological evaluation. This was done first. The internist claimed that not a soul would believe this person that they ate at all and were not bulimic or with an eating disorder problem. No internist, no ER, no specialist would even consider treating them because they would say they have an eating disorder.  Now I do understand the reasoning behind this but not really.  Not when the patient has witnesses that are willing to testify when and what they ate on a daily basis. But noooooo....that still didn't weigh into this situation at all! They have an eating disorder and must prove they don't before being allowed to pass GO.

The eating specialist cleared this person. They in fact did not have an eating disorder. This clinic in fact stated that this person is one of the most psychologically sound individuals they have met. Oh brother!

Panic ensues and the internist (and yes even prior to this point) threatens that the patient can drop dead of a heart attack. Do they realize they can drop dead of a heart attack! Do they realize they are a walking time bomb ready to go off at any second!

Now if they weren't having heart palpitations, they sure as heck would by now!  And yet, that one KEY question still has not been asked by either treatment place.

Off to the next square in this game of medical evaluation we go. Off to the specialists.  Now, first, just let me tell you that there are over 40 reasons why a person can have excessive weight loss. Yes....40!  So to try and narrow this down can be rather daunting.

First we go to the gastro specialist.  And again, the most basic questions were not asked of this patient. And yes, the question was even offered to the attending doctors during each visit.  And still we were told that was not part of the equation (another duh moment here).

The gastro specialist not only has no clue what might be causing the weight loss, she begins to list a litany of tests that will require anaesthesia in addition to the possibility of even death during a procedure. Well, thank you doc for that reassurance! Just what was needed at this very, very stressful time already.

So in addition to a CT with dye (may have been an MRI but I can't recall) and a colonoscopy, this patient was forced to repeat labs that had just been done the day before. But nooooo....those labs won't do as each doctor must have their own. And yes, even if they are exactly the same blood labs.

The patient at this point is scared to death as this specialist has mentioned cancer, ruptured things, growing things and why not throw in hairy things as well! Oh brother!! Talk about a panic attack at this point.  And yes, we repeated what would be the most obvious cause to us and again asked that key question to this specialist. But once again we were told that it could not be the possible cause of this weight loss problem.

Home the patient goes. After fully over a week of seeing three different doctors and with still no answers in sight, the patient decides to wait this one out.  She opts to step back quietly, evaluate this situation and proceed from there.  She figures that is she hasn't dropped dead by now, she can wait a week or two more. The tests are cancelled.  The patient decides to lay down for awhile and rest.  At about that time, the patient begins to have chest pains.  Chest pains that are severe enough to cause concern and won't go away.

Off we go to the ER.  Do I dare take the chance that this patient might be having that mentioned heart attack (mentioned no less then 20 times to us)?  Heck no! This patient isn't going to die on my watch! I speed the car faster.  Screeching to a halt in front of the ER, leaving the keys in the ignition and the car running, I get an attendant to get a gurney and whisk the patient off for evaluation.

Again, the same blood labs are drawn that were drawn yesterday and the day before. Again I mention that these exact labs have been done twice this week. But nooooo....they must have their own labs done.  And again, we mention the weight loss and the fact that heart attack was mentioned as a possible side effect of the weight loss.  After gathering all the necessary tests including EKG, blood test, and chest xray, the er doctor says the patient is just fine.  It is most likely a pulled muscle from lifting something. Another AH Hah moment! Yes, she lifted heavy kitty litter just earlier while grocery shopping!  We go home.

And no, the er doctor did not ask that key question regarding weight loss....he was only evaluating the heart issue.  We asked him the question though! And he suggested the most obvious.

Now you must be asking what in the world was that one question?  Think about it. What would you be asking if you were a doctor and had someone with excessive weight loss.  Perhaps, just maybe....what do you eat every day and how many calories do your consume?  Wouldn't or shouldn't that be the first question? And then maybe, just maybe you might want to figure out how many calories this particular individual needs to maintain a certain weight level. This particular patient is 5 feet 10 inches tall.  And yes, my dear fellow readers, height does play a very integral role in RMR. Better known as resting metabolic rate.  But not one doctor would even consider this basic fact. They all said that consuming 1,600 calories was plenty for someone of her age, height, and activity level.

Well, yes you have it by now.  She wasn't eating enough calories to maintain her ideal weight. Yet, every single doctor negated this fact!  She wasn't avoiding food at all. And had any doctor asked her for a food diary they would have seen that in fact she was consuming a good amount of food but not enough calories.  She needs around 2,400 calories for her specific combination of height, weight, and activity level.

She had started a healthy eating plan over two years ago and was eating gluten, dairy, and soy free.  She felt this type of eating would improve her PCOS systems in addition to her tummy and skin problems she had been facing. And yes, the healthy diet plan actually did improve both the PCOS and skin issues.  But unfortunately when you eat lots of vegetables, boneless skinless chicken breast and avoid starches...well...you may not be getting the required amount of calories for a rather tall young lady.

It wasn't until both her and I went searching online that we discovered the RMR formula.  And given her height (which is above the normal range), one would have thought that the common sense approach would have been to request a food diary, calculate the needed calories for someone of her statue, and request that she ramp up her calorie intake for a period of a few weeks. Then if that didn't work, expose her to the litany of medical tests.

I am happy to report that she is now on her way to regaining weight.  But, this has only be accomplished through our common sense approach and review of all her medical records on our own.  And yes, even the medical records substantiate our conclusion. No doctor in the process apparently saw fit to lay out her medical history to review BP, labs etc. over a three year period. They only saw fit to view current results. Had they done this (as we did), they too would have realized that she has always had low BP and that the other two out of range labs are in fact normal for her and have been for many, many years.

Yes, something is very broken in our US medical system.  And I am sad to report that another victim has been run through the course of our absurd medical process here.  Another victim that now has thousands of dollars to pay off for absolutely nothing except additional stress and now a severe distrust of the very system that was suppose to help her.

More reading...
How Many Calories Should I Eat?
Calculating BMR and RMR

If It Ain't Broke, Don't Fix It!

As part of national arthritis awareness month, we have been fortunate enough to witness a big uptake in the awareness of autoimmune related illnesses including ra.  And this is great!

I have always had a silent motto that I carry around inside me. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Now, this doesn't mean that I don't think that we should constantly be striving to improve our lives, our well being, our surroundings and even our dreams.  What I mean by this is if it is working just fine, then leave it alone.  Focus instead on things that really truly need to be fixed.

Having a severe form of ra, I do seek medical help with my constant battles.  From specialist visits to lab visits to pharmacy visits, I find myself under the care of multiple doctors to address my medical needs.  And as this month unfolds, I am constantly reminded of those that can't go to doctors, that can't go to labs and that can't even get past the OTC medications to address the pain of ra.  My heart is heavy with this burden.  And yes, our medical system is broken and it does need to be fixed.

I can't say I have all the answers but I do know that my personal moral compass tells me this is wrong. We shouldn't have people in this great nation that can not afford medical care and therefore do not get any care at all. To me this is not only a moral and ethical obligation but it is just the right thing to do as a human being and as a nation.  And yes, I am fully aware of the cost of doing such an undertaking but to me personally it needs to be fixed.

And waiting until the cost of medical care falls low enough for a person to purchase that care, not only puts them at risk it could very well kill them!  And going to an er to seek out basic medical care is not the answer in my book.  That not only drives up the cost of medical care it will ultimately drive our hospitals to close their doors entirely.  Shuffling the cost of medical care onto hospitals exclusively is not the answer either.

Do I have the answers? Not completely. But what I do know is that we need an open and honest discussion about this very important issue in this country and we need it now.  And while we are seeking ways to fix what is obviously very, very broken, we need to open the doors to all that can not afford insurance.  Without one's health, one can not be a productive part of society.  One can not pay taxes and often one can not work if one wanted to.

So, as we approach this upcoming presidential election, I ask only one thing.  Think about what is important to you.  Do your research carefully for all your votes and this includes your local and state ones as well.  Be sure that your candidates mesh with your moral and ethical compasses.  Because as much as I hate to say this, we will be voting for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. This is a very important election.

A Reflection on RA

To continue the celebration of arthritis awareness month, I have decided it is time to "picture"ra. To date, I have written many posts on my blog about my personal ra, about ra in general, and about things that can influence how we handle ra.

Today, I have decided to do a pictorial reflection on ra. Not like the In The Joint posts that I plan on continuing but rather on how I see ra in almost everything around me.  It often just jumps out at me when I am walking around my neighborhood, near the ocean, or even in art sometimes.

So here is my "reflection" on ra in pictures:

Somewhere in there we must find the beauty again.

Find something that you love to do (even something new) and do it.

Reach out to others. It will not only make you feel better but it just may improve another's life as well.

A good dose of humor really does help.

It's important to look ahead but sometimes looking up will give you an entirely different perspective.

Being inflexible can make the journey much harder. Consider going with the flow for a change.

Sometimes it is the imperfect that actually is just perfect.

And...Happy Mother's Day to all the Moms out there!

Our Hands Can!

Show Us Your Hands! Releases Our Hands Can! Photo Book in Celebration of Arthritis Awareness Month

(May 7, 2012) – Show Us Your Hands! is pleased to announce the release of its Our Hands Can! photo book, the latest in a series of successful initiatives aimed at uniting the community of individuals who are living with inflammatory arthritis and increasing the public’s awareness of this group of autoimmune diseases. This photo book contains the inspiring photographs and moving stories of dozens of people of all ages from around the world who live with different types of inflammatory arthritis and is being released today in celebration of Arthritis Awareness Month.

May is National Arthritis Awareness Month in the United States. Its goal is to bring attention to the issues and realities faced by people who live with one of the more than 100 different types of arthritis. More than 46 million people live with arthritis in the US, including 300,000 children. It is the most common cause of disability.

The Our Hands Can! photo book is available for purchase at Blurb in both hardcover format and softcover format. “Being part of this has made me feel proud of who I am with rheumatoid arthritis and all for the first time in a long time,” says Samantha Legere, who is profiled in the photo book. Founding director Lene Andersen adds, “Our Hands Can! is a tangible affirmation that all of us who live with inflammatory arthritis find a way to live meaningful, productive and joyful lives. Our hands may hurt and bear the visible signs of our disease, but it doesn’t stop us!” All funds raised from the sale of these photo books go to Show Us Your Hands!, an international awareness movement which serves to unite and inspire the inflammatory arthritis community.

The Show Us Your Hands! inflammatory arthritis community collage project debuted in December 2011. People of all ages from around the world are represented in this community project and new photos continue to be added to on a regular basis. The community collage project serves not only as a symbol of the wonderfully supportive inflammatory arthritis community that continues to grow and connect online, but also acts as a reminder that people who live with these diseases should be proud of, and not ashamed of, their inflammatory arthritis hands. By April 2011, the Show Us Your Hands! inflammatory arthritis community collage project had grown to include more than 1,000 hands.

Autoimmune diseases occur when a body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue. In the case of inflammatory arthritis, a person’s joints are frequently attacked, resulting in chronic pain and debilitating inflammation. The most common inflammatory arthritis diseases are Ankylosing Spondylitis, Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis, Mixed Connective Tissue Disease, Psoriatic Arthritis, Reactive Arthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Scleroderma, Sjogren’s Syndrome, Still’s Disease and Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

Show Us Your Hands! is an international awareness movement which serves to unite and inspire the inflammatory arthritis community. For more information, please visit www.showusyourhands.org. Show Us Your Hands! can also be found on Facebook and Twitter.

Our Hands Can! by Show Us Your Hands!

All proceeds will be used to continue the good work of this future non for profit. And I am proud and humbled to say that I did participate in this wonderful project. Can you find me?

Arthritis Awareness Month continues....

As promised, I am going to continue with featuring some of my favorite arthritis areas that support autoimmune illnesses and help to bring our community together on a regular basis. Together we can make a profound and lasting impact!

The next two I want to feature are...

Thrive With RA
You can find her blog here at Thrivewithra.wordpress.com
She writes from the heart and I have enjoyed here heart felt posts. She also seems to want to help all of us with ra and I truly appreciate her efforts. She has a challenge out there for us this week. I for one plan on trying to accomplish it! I invite you to the same. If we can't speak honestly about ra and do everything we can to get the correct information out there, then who will?

Next on the top of my favs lists is a wonderful organization that has become a powerhouse of sorts. IAAM or International Autoimmune Arthritis Movement  Hats off to them for beginning a journey to correctly inform the world about autoimmune arthritis. This month they are having a 47 hours global event. In their own words "Register NOW and receive notification of the official schedule, programs, organizations that will be involved, vendor discounts, a chance to submit YOUR OWN story for featuring during WAAD and MORE! Join Us any time during May 20th, 2012 to celebrate awareness and bringing attention to the Autoimmune Arthritis Diseases!" 

I am registered and hope to see you there as well. It looks to be a fun and informative event!

People like RA Guy who is establishing The Show Us Your Hands Organization, Thrive With RA, and IAAM can and do help to make our journey just a bit easier. Hats off to them and a heartfelt thank you as well!