In my day-to-day life my rheumatoid arthritis has not been as bad as RA can be. I have been Blessed to be a person that was able to get mine diagnosed early which has definitely been beneficial for me. Early detection has enabled me to live my life in a way that I am so grateful for. For those that have to struggle so much harder day-to-day than I do, I pray for you.
I sit and wonder how did I get this disease. It is genetic? I’m not sure. I haven’t been able to determine that fact. I do have a sister that has a more progressed form than I do and I know what she has gone through and how much she has suffered to reach the point where this disease has brought her. I look at her and I feel for her. To know the pain she has suffered and those like her is a part of my struggle. I hurt emotionally for her and I feel pain physically for myself.
Another part of my struggle is the mental. I find myself sometimes forgetting that I have RA. You wonder “how can that be”. I have those days when I am pain-free so I feel normal and I remember what my life once was. I remember how it was before I lost my teeth, before I lost my hair and before I could see the difference in my hands and feet, before the pain was a constant in my day. I find myself just wanting my old self back. Then I remember, I am so Blessed to be where I am like I am. To be here with the ones I love in any form is my Hope.
I have to remember that my struggle now isn’t as bad as the struggle can be. I have to remember that I can be in a position where I don’t feel those normal days. I have to remember that I am not the only one with this disease, that there are millions of us with this struggle. I have to remember not forgetting that I have a will to fight is my Victory.
photo credit: weatherbox/freeimages.com
RA AND THE FAMILY FIT 
August 14, 2015 at 5:26 am
Can relate so well to your story! 🙂
August 14, 2015 at 4:44 pm
I hope my post has made a difference in your life. I hope it has brought a little understanding. Please check back often. Thank you for the support also.
August 14, 2015 at 4:47 pm
It sure has! Thanks a lot!
August 14, 2015 at 4:56 pm
Great that really makes blogging worth it.
August 14, 2015 at 4:51 pm
I love the idea that having the will to fight is its own victory. I’ll have to keep that one in mind on my own pain days. I appreciate what you write so much.
August 14, 2015 at 4:58 pm
Thank you. Having responses like this gives me the courage to continue to fight and to continue to blog. I was starting to feel down about my blogging but as I prayed, God has opened a door to special people that I never expected to hear from. You and others that are now interested in my blogs. Thanks so much to you and the others.