Comments on: RA Report Card

By: Journey

Journey — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 18:06:23 +0000

I was just introduced to your blog. Having RA and facing its challenges, I am very interested in what you have to say. I’ll be back to read, read, read. Thanks for devoting your time to this topic.

By: karmasue

karmasue — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 05:30:12 +0000

I hope that it is okay that I have quoted a snippet of this wonderful post on my blog. You are truly a gift to me.

Sue

By: stephanie

stephanie — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:53:40 +0000

Thank you for this , you took the words out of my mouth. I appreciate the blog that you write , it helps many people with RA stay positive. thank you thank you . I really needed to read that.

By: cateepoo

cateepoo — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:36:23 +0000

I continue to learn wonderful life lessons from you!

My report card is looking similar to yours. After five and a half years of RA symptoms, I feel like I have learned a lot about myself – both good and bad. I still have a lot to work on but feel like a positive attitude takes me a long ways. Yesterday I went into a panic when I saw a picture of my knee that has been healing and accomplishing so much. In the picture it looked larger than I thought it did and panicked. But instantly I turned that thought around and focused on everything I was able to accomplish during the week and felt instantly better. Our mind has incredible control over our overall feel for the day.

By: Terry

Terry — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 13:14:49 +0000

The first six years into my journey with RA has truly been a learning experience. Even today, I continue to learn from it. These are a few of the things I have learned.

I have learned that I am often my own worst enemy. I am bad, even today, about pushing myself to do more, even when I’m in a flare.

I have learned to recognize a flare before it gets bad. After first being diagnosed, I thought that flares were just something you lived through, I didn’t know (nor was I told by my first rheumatologist), that I could control the severity of flare ups.

I have learned to alter my lifestyle to allow myself to have fun even though I do have RA. I raced off road motorcycles through the woods for 14 years but have adapted to dual sport riding instead. It’s not as exciting, but hey, I’m still riding!

I have learned that even just a little bit of exercise each day makes me feel better. However, there are some days when I just hurt too bad, and I don’t workout. I don’t feel guilty about it either.

I have learned not to worry about things that used to drive me nuts. It was not easy for me giving up this control but it has been for the best.

I have learned to slow down and appreciate the beauty of every day that God gives us on this earth. The beauty of a sunrise or sunset, a summer rain, a rainbow, a dog with her liter of pups taking care of and teaching them, the list is endless. Most of these I was too busy to stop and appreciate in my pre RA days.