After a long day at school that felt like a 27 hour day, I came home and decided nothing productuve would be happening. On went the yoga pants, out came the couch blankie, layered with two warm pugs and two alternately visiting cats, and on went the tv. This is a very rare occurrence in my home these days as every day that I feel even remotely well I am moving, doing, and living. Not waiting to feel better. I've learned to listen when Arthur speaks, and to not beat myself up too much for one or two days of recovering from a surprise visit. Rest does help. Thankfully it did!
I woke this morning with hands not as swollen, and legs that weren't screaming for immobilization and relief. I am grateful. I know today is the day I will over-do in an attempt to compensate for missed hours last night and through the week (in retrospect, I guess I did see you coming...and slowed down...) but am happy to see you are moving on. I hear Florida is really nice in the winter. Maybe you could go there?
The most crazy part of RA is the randomness of when it seems to hit and flare up. My diet is pretty routine and healthy. My activity levels are also predictable and not too variable. Could it be the weather? Maybe, but it isn't consistent. Accepting that Arthur has a mind of his own, and that sometimes there isn't a reason for the unpredictable ebb and flow of the disease is really part of having it. Part that I hate. I read a blog post by another RA sufferer that rang true the other day, and will share it here. Another post by the same author was on her blog last week, here. A key part:
- RD is a tough, unforgiving disease. The symptoms are frequently constant and unrelenting. The drugs we take to treat it often cause other health problems, so we need to be vigilant about self-care. I truly believe that there’s no point in blaming ourselves for anything having to do with the disease. It’s counter-productive. Instead, I try to be grateful for all the good things and people in my life. It’s much easier on me. Living with RD is hard enough sometimes. Why make it harder?
What will you make today?