As My Joints Turn: my autoimmune soap opera
Autoimmune Arthritis isn't the end of the world, it's just another way of living in the world.
For years, my autoimmune/inflammatory arthritis disease impacted my joints. I lived with pain from inflammed joints life altering exhaustion, but I was able to push through wth the help of medications, therpies, and force of will. Then my disease becme systemic. A CT scan showed my liver, intestines, lungs, colon, and heart lining all showed... Continue Reading →
People keep asking me how things are going since I retired. I usually say, “It’s okay.” The truth is, it’s completely overwhelming. The disability paperwork alone feels like a full-time job—an especially cruel irony when you’re filling it out to prove you’re incapable of working full-time. Every question makes me wonder if I’m answering it... Continue Reading →
Christmas is in 4 days. Are my gifts wrapped? No. Am I packed? No. My decorations are minimal....and so is my Christmas spirit. My 2019 was extra crappy. Here is a little recap.... January: I started the year with a broken foot/non-weight bearing. On January 2, my cat tripped me and I ended up tearing... Continue Reading →
This past week, I've been dealing with one of the worst flare ups of my disease in years. I say the word "disease" because honestly, no one seems to know for sure what I have. Sometimes I'm told I have rheumatoid arthritis. Other times, I'm told I have psoriatic arthritis or spondyloarthopathy. All I know....is... Continue Reading →
Recently, social media has been buzzing with the warning that the government will soon be using social media tracking to crack down on disability fraud. I wouldn't say this is surprising. People have been spying on the disabled for years. Growing up, I always heard how people "faked disability" to milk the system. My family... Continue Reading →
Insurance is a blessing and a curse in my life. I'm grateful to have coverage, but so frustrated a the antiquated system of step therapy that they industry still holds valid. I've written before about suffering for 7 years before finding a biologic drug that made me feel somewhat human again. Why? Because I had... Continue Reading →
I've been documenting my journey with my broken foot. It's been frustrating, painful, and difficult to say the least. Non-weight bearing is hard when you don't have autoimmune arthritis, but when you do, it's nearly overwhelming. When I found out my foot hadn't healed, I decided to stay at my parents' house over the Christmas... Continue Reading →
I had my follow up for my broken foot (AKA 5th metatarsal fracture) today. I've been trying my best to not bear weight on my foot since 11/1/2018. The past 46 days have been difficult. I've tried my best to not walk. I admit, it's so hard in my stair-filled house, so there are times when... Continue Reading →
A few months ago, I was contacted by a writer looking to do a story about a patient for the American College of Rheumatology's online magazine, "The Rheumatologist". She wanted to talk to someone who had attending the ACR's annual Advocates for Arthritis event in Washington DC. I was honored someone recommended me for the... Continue Reading →