Comments on: Confessions Of An Optimist

By: candi

candi — Tue, 09 Nov 2010 03:48:08 +0000

It is so strange that there are people out there who would accuse anyone of such things. It isn’t like you are asking them for money. You are writing something, to help others (and for your own benefit I imagine) and if they do not want to read it, then they shouldn’t go onto your page. I am just blown away by the rudeness of some people. I have had people doubt me and the extent of my pain but I know I am not imagining it so that is all that matters.

I have been meaning for a long time to write on here but time gets away from me. You are a strong person for writing what you do and we all have our ups and downs, but as you’ve said, remaining positive is the best outlook. Some days I just stay in bed all day and it is because I need it, I need to rest.
Listening to your body and not to anyone else is one of the important things I have learnt with my RA.

Thank you for posting this so we can see the full extent of what other people are thinking. I hope you do not take the bad e-mails to heart.

You have helped so many people with your strength and insight into your dealings with an unforgiving and downright mean illness and you inspire me with every post to keep my chin up and keep forging ahead. As you said, the more you sleep, the worse you feel, you just have to keep moving and deal with everything as it comes.

Candi
Aussie RA- 11 years

By: Giovanna

Giovanna — Thu, 04 Nov 2010 17:24:10 +0000

First off, anyone who has the audacity to email someone else and tell them they don’t have RA as bad as they do is an egomaniac and an attention hog! Some people are so rude, but without them in the world; we wouldn’t know who the truly genuine and kind people are! Ignoring people like that, I find, is the best. Let them live in their own pathetic angry little world. When people are angry and have a chronic illness, all it does is make it worse; emotional, physically and mentally.

Now, as for you and your optimism, I think you are doing great! I used to be a VERY pessimistic person until I married my husband, who is the poster child for positiveness and optimism! When he got diagnosed with brain cancer, I HAD to train myself to become more positive and optimistic, for him, myself and my three small children.
All of us experience the same kind of pain, whether we have RA or some other type of autoimmune disease, we are all in this together and being positive for others can actually help us in the long run. I truly believe in attitude being a predecessor for longevity. My husband was suppose to be dead 2 and 1/2 years ago but he is still here, partly because of attitude during and after treatment and because God was not ready for him to leave us. I am glad that you continue with your blog (whether you are having a good day or a bad day) and all that you say and do to encourage others with our disease.
Sorry you are having a hard time right now but keep on keeping on and know that we are here right with you cheering you on, even if if hurts to clap our hands ; )

By: Cathy

Cathy — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 17:09:46 +0000

I don’t think it matters if it is rheumatoid arthritis or something else, some people just like to think that they are worse off than everyone else and rather than finding the challenge of their situation, they get angry with others. I am so sorry it was you they took their frustration out on. I guess when you are able to find the positive in the worst of situations that you are never as bad off as someone else. So, in that sense, your RA is not as bad as the 1% that emails you because along with RA, they have to live with constant negative thoughts.

For me, I am glad that I have your blog to come to for inspiration. Your friendship is something that I treasure and I know when I need someone to listen, you understand. Thanks for being who you are!

By: Wren

Wren — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 16:36:20 +0000

I found your blog not long after I came out of a long remission from RA and found myself facing the pain and disability of the disease all over again. While I was outwardly calm about it, inside I was terrified. How would I deal with it? How could I bear it? I decided that this time around, I’d arm myself with knowledge. When I was first diagnosed with RA, I was overseas and had almost no access to information about RA. There was no Internet, no Google. This time… well.

Yours was the first RA blog I found, via Google. And RA Guy, let me tell you: Your writing here about your experiences, your bravery in exploring your feelings about RA, your gentle humor and encouragement really made a huge difference in how I’ve dealt with the return of my dragon and its influence on my life. Instead of being resigned, you encouraged action and positive thought. I cannot tell you how much you’ve helped me and so many others through this blog. It remains my first go-to each day.

Finally, you’ve widened my world incredibly. I always felt completely alone as I lived with RA. No one I knew or had ever known had this disease or knew how it felt and how devastating it can be, how life-sucking and dreary. But you, with this blog, allowed me to meet many, many others who share the ups and downs, the daily grind of living with RA. I’m so grateful for that. You inspired me to start writing my own blog–to stop being so alone and isolated with this disease that few understand.

I’m very proud of you and the way you’ve transformed your daily life, working and interacting and living well even though you hurt and must frequently rely on mobility aids and the help of loving others. You continue to give me hope and courage, and you always make me smile.

Thanks, Guy.

By: Lisa H

Lisa H — Wed, 03 Nov 2010 13:47:13 +0000

Wow. Just wow. I’ve been heading towards the dark side of my emotions with the RA myself lately and had a bad day yesterday, too. I’m sorry that you get those messages about “the real RA”; I get some of that in real life, too. Take care of yourself & know that we out here in blogland adore you and hope you feel better soon.