The Single Gal's Guide to Rheumatoid Arthritis

When the Pain Isn't Caused by the Disease

The photo above is one I took of a statue in Brussels.  Legend has it that if you rub the statue and make a wish, you will get your heart's desire. Unfortunately, life isn't always so legendary. Read my latest post on life and love here.

Join me for a Peer Mentoring call with Dr. Laurie — brought to you by GHLF

via www.creakyjoints.org

We all know dating can be tricky, and when you add a chronic illness into the mix, it gets downright sticky. Join me and Dr. Laurie Ferguson to get down and dirty about dating next Wednesday, June 22, 2011 at 7:30pm EST.

Register today as space is limited!

Photo of me by Jodi Mckee

Check out my friend Sue, and her friend 'Bella.'

When I first moved to Baltimore, I was, in a sense, rescued by Sue.  Sue was a reader of my blog, and when I posted that I was moving to Charm City, she quickly emailed me to say welcome and to recommend her rheumatologist to me (something I will be FOREVER grateful to her for doing).  We met up shortly after I got settled in, and she was very gracious about including me in her cooking group and showing me around my new city.

Though we both have autoimmune arthritis, our paths have gone very differently.  Mine was clearly diagnosed as rheumatoid, while hers has been placed in the category of inflammatory arthritis.  I am one of those who has been fortunate enough to, for whatever reason, respond quickly and drastically to drugs; she, very unfortunately and for whatever reason, has not. What I love about Sue, though, is her humor, her perseverance, and most of all, her sheer determination. France, anyone?

Read the great article about her, that does an excellent job of citing the difference between osteo and autoimmune arthritis, that's been circulating though social media if you haven't already. 

 

PS- thanks to NYC Sick Chick Kat for posting it in my newsfeed first, and to Sue, whom I hope won't mind that I've just written this post!

 

SOS: Save Our Skin!

 

Today, the FDA released new guidelines on SPF to make sure consumers know what they are buying and to offer general recommendations on what provides adequate protection.  Great timing since my new post about RA meds and staying safe in the sun just went up.

Check out my latest article at MyRACentral.com, along with links to the FDA's new guidelines, and make sure to cover up when you head out in the sun! Who wants wrinkly skin and skin cancer on top of RA?  Not me!

Paying my Respects

Today, I learned some very sad, heartbreaking news.  We have lost one of our own: RA Superbitch, who wrote a bitingly bad-ass blog about battling RA, has passed away. It makes me feel cold. I remember emailing with her after she had first started her blog.  We didn't email too much after that first start, but I appreciated her irreverent, tell-it-like-it-is attitude.

The details of her passing have not been shared thus far, other than to say it was peaceful, and that she was with her husband and young child.  She wasn't even 40.  As of her last post in April, it seemed like her RA was really ravaging her in a bad way.  I can only hope that she is now in a place or a state where she is pain-free.  Still, I can only imagine the devastation for her family.  I hope they know how much her blog impacted the RA community.  Her facebook page has begun collecting thoughtful remembrances. 

As someone whose RA has been well-managed for the past several years, this is a sharp and confusing reminder about just how serious this disease can be.  I just feel so sad, and shocked, and sad, and scared, and also guilty.  

Her blog is still up- if you haven't checked it out, you can find it here, and her Facebook page here, in case you would like to pay tribute.

RIP RA Superbitch.