tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437702291593929244.post1065941273338674818..comments2023-04-26T02:22:13.162-07:00Comments on Rheumatoid Arthritis- "Sunny Side Up": The Day Rheumatoid Arthritis Went on a Field Trip...Sue Whitehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11680715598432805353noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437702291593929244.post-76400101673976757612011-05-15T17:52:27.891-07:002011-05-15T17:52:27.891-07:00Thank you so much! YOU made ME cry!!Thank you so much! YOU made ME cry!!Sue Whitehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11680715598432805353noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437702291593929244.post-8157824697900080562011-05-15T00:22:37.542-07:002011-05-15T00:22:37.542-07:00This was so well-written, and hard-hitting...I fel...This was so well-written, and hard-hitting...I felt your pain. I had to stop working (first one job, then the other)and go on disability 2 years ago. I don't have the family life you do...in fact I really have no family life at all anymore. I lost the man I thought I would grow old with, and my daughter is 19 now and has her own life. I have my cats. I don't know if I made the right choices since my diagnosis and subsequent spiral, but when I think about it, they actually chose me. My life has become quiet, calm and, lonely. I pray that you are able to get through the rest of the year, and take a look at things this summer. If there is one thing RA has taught me, it's that I need to just stop. I miss my job(s), I miss my hectic life, I miss my dog that I also had to leave behind and in the darkest, loneliest hours of the night, I miss 'him', too. I don't know what my future holds...at this exact moment, not much. So I pray you are able to take stock, and realize that what you saw as life going on without you was not the correct picture. Your children would not have been playing, your husband would not have been busy and your family would not have been happy. They are doing what they do because of you, NOT in spite of you. God bless...and hold on to those happy shrieks and your puttering hubby. You are their core.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437702291593929244.post-69764878449074165482011-05-08T01:16:43.395-07:002011-05-08T01:16:43.395-07:00I understand so much. I was diagnosed in 2008 (wor...I understand so much. I was diagnosed in 2008 (working full-time) and went downhill fast. By 2009 I was on reduced hours (I too am a teacher) and 2010 I could no longer manage working as a teacher at all. My fingers no longer hold a pen properly and and my knees and hips give me constant pain. I was very sad to stop teaching, but I have to say it did make me realise that life is NOT all about work and I found I had a bit more energy to spend with my daughters and hubby. I still feel left out on days when I can't go to the park/soccer/mall/sport events with my family and stay at home in the warmth, but they are also learning that our times together are changing and that I appreciate those times more now I know how important they are. I am on embrel and really thought it would be the "magical" medicine that would fix me and I could go back to teaching. It has not been magical at all. I am grateful everyday though for what the pain meds, steroids and other meds do for me. Faeryfayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16369030667241716061noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437702291593929244.post-52561382295952011482011-05-07T13:54:05.951-07:002011-05-07T13:54:05.951-07:00Donna LaForgia wrote, I continue to pray that God ...Donna LaForgia wrote, I continue to pray that God give you strength and answers! This post was so raw and I am sorry.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4437702291593929244.post-86674447014087803102011-05-07T12:56:37.810-07:002011-05-07T12:56:37.810-07:00I'll feel your pain! I teach in an urban distr...I'll feel your pain! I teach in an urban district 7th grade Science. I get to see approximately 125 kids in my classroom a day. This does not include the 8th graders (former students) who find me throughout the day for 1 reason or another! I am also the union rep for the building, head of my department, on the leadership team & a state trained mentor. Needless to say, I am mentally & physically tired by the end of my day, as well. More often then not, I come home & take a nap before I even begin to think about dinner, unless I'm at a meeting of some kind. Thankfully, at least for now, I have no kids of my own (subject to change, we shall see what the future holds). I can say that I have finally come to the conclusion that I have to give up something, so mentoring is going out the door starting next school year. It's time to focus on ME & my husband!! Thankfully, I have no major field trips to attend. We have FUN DAY coming up, but there is enough staff to pick up the slack. I can honestly say, I can't wait til JUNE 3 (last day of school)!!! Good Luck finishing out the school year!! Pain free hugs!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com