What a Difference a Year Makes

I started this blog over a year ago — July 2008 — right after I had my RA diagnosis. This blog has lasted longer than some of my husbands (seriously!).  It started as a way to keep family and friends informed of my progress as I went through my hip replacement, then my shoulder replacement, [...]

Shoulder +5 Mos; Hip +14 Mos

I’ve been waxing somewhat philosophic lately in my posts and I was reminded that I hadn’t given a progress update in a while. So for those of you who interested in hip and/or shoulder replacement, this blog’s for you.
It’s been about 14 months since the hip replacement and I honestly forget that I ever had [...]

Do What You Can

I attended my first (hopefully of many) water aerobic classes last night. Like many people with RA, I used to be more physically active than I am today. RA isn’t the reason I quit exercising, it’s just the latest of many factors — or should I say “excuses” — that have made me more sedentary.
I [...]

In Training – Day 2

Okay, so we get back from Las Vegas on Sunday evening, and my husband who goes to cardiac rehab 2-3 times a week comes home Monday night after rehab and says he lost two pounds while in Vegas. NOBODY loses weight in Vegas. Sorry, it just doesn’t happen. My husband, who is not a boastful guy, couldn’t [...]

If I Had a Hammer

There is an old saying that goes something like, “If the only tool you have is a hammer, then every problem is a nail.”
I have a good friend who, among her other amazing qualities, is extremely knowledgeable about hormones and has published a book that empowers women going through menopause toward self evaluation and self help [...]

Another Day in the Life

Today this project is over. I’ve already worked 30 hours this week and it’s only 7:30 am on Monday morning. I’ve also worked the last three weekends, so my stamina is about to give up. I don’t know whether it’s RA or just my age showing, but I finally went home from the office last [...]

Hope?

I actually think the Simponi is working. However badly I was feeling earlier has cleared up. I had been in Chicago for five days and had felt like I was coming down with something ever since I returned. I finally got over that and when I did, all my achy symptoms went with it. I [...]

Simponi #2 +10 Days

It’s been 10 days since I took the Simponi shot and I’m starting to feel achy all over again. It almost feels like a flare coming on. I don’t know if anyone else gets these, but I get itchy welts on my skin — almost like a poison ivy reaction — when my inflammatory response [...]

Counting the Days

I am now counting the days until my next Simponi injection. It seems like the last week has just been miserable. Every morning I wake up and count the things that don’t hurt- it’s easier than counting the things that don’t feel like they want to move, ever again. I got such immediate, wonderful relief [...]

Physical Therapy for the Shoulder

Well, the doctor says my shoulder replacement is doing fine, but I’ve apparently been over using it (surprise, surprise) and it’s tightened up, so he is sending me to physical therapy for a while. I’m okay with PT, but my favorite, walks-on-water, miracle working therapist is no where to be found. I don’t know that [...]