I'm back! I am completely jet-lagged, as evidenced by the fact that I am writing this post at 6.30am, which is not a time I am ordinarily up, let alone putting sentences together. The trip was, in a word, amazing. It was intense, beautiful, awesome, serene and frenetic depending on the day and the place. Thanks to all of you who offered encouraging comments on my Facebook page along the way!
Over the next few weeks I'll write up a detailed account of my (second) trip of a lifetime, but overall, I did really well! I definitely had moments where a hip, a wrist, a knee, a foot or all of the above were feeling unhappy and appalled by what I was asking them to do, but for the most part, the pain didn't last too long and didn't prohibit me from doing anything I wanted to do, and I didn't have to take my fallback prednisone! The relaxing lie-on-the-beach portions of the trip were well placed to offer recovery time from what was literally the hike from hell (climbing Mt. Sinai in the dark at midnight beat the pants off what I did in Peru) and scrambling around arches and big rocks in Wadi Rum and Petra. All I can say is, thank god for the Dead Sea Spa!
While I was away, the first of four segments I shot for WebMD's RA TV went up! I watched it from a small internet cafe in Luxor, Egypt that didn't have any sound, so I was quite relieved to finally watch it with sound yesterday; I feel pretty good about how it turned out, and excited for the next one that will air tomorrow! You can check them out here, under the My Life with RA series. Please help me spread the word about the segments by sharing this link on Facebook, Twitter, or plain old word of mouth.
OK. I'm off to figure out what living in this new city is all about! Next big task: dealing with switching my car over to Maryland. eek.
Well, I am all moved in! For the most part it went well, and except for a few bruises and slightly achy finger joints and feet, I am (knock on wood) feeling pretty OK from it all, which is a good thing since I leave for Egypt TOMORROW!
While I'm away, the first of the Web MD series will go up on September 3rd. Here's the link so that you can check it out...hopefully it'll be good! I haven't seen it at all, so have no idea what the end result will be.
My latest article is up at MyRACentral.com, along with another great comic strip by Jane Samborski, so go over there and check it out!
Lastly, I will be checking in on my Facebook page as I'm able to in Egypt and Jordan, so if you are interested in getting updates about how I'm faring on my trip, make sure to check my Facebook page ove the next two weeks!
Hope you all have a wonderful end of Summer, and I'll be back soon.
Sara
Sick Chick Club Update
Photo by Sick Chick Club NYC member Jodi McKee
This past Thursday night, three Sick Chicks got together at Nooch in Chelsea for some cocktails, mocktails and thai treats (sadly, one of our crew wasn't able to make it, but she was there in spirit!). For me, it was bittersweet as it was my last Sick Chick NYC gathering, and I will really miss seeing the awesome and inspiring women I have recently met through it, but know that'll we'll stay in touch- thank god for the internet, right?
And, if you are in the Baltimore area, let me know as we already have a small contingent in the works, and once I'm firmly settled in, I will be arranging a Sick Chick Baltimore Happy Hour to keep the movement going.
Say 'RA'
Check out Sick Chick Jodi Mckee's new portrait project! Jodi is a fantastic photographer and is using her creative talents to fight back against the invisible nature of autoimmune disorders by taking portraits of those of us with these often hidden diseases. She writes, 'I want to give a face to these diseases to inform my friends and family at least, and the world at best, that we really aren't "too young to have that" and that even though we "don't look sick," we are. And we need your care and support.'
I was lucky enough to be the kick-off portrait for her project (and damn, did she make me look good!), and she is looking for others who would like to volunteer to become a part of it. To learn more and volunteer, check out Jodi's project on here and help spread the word about her endeavor! The more buzz, the better.
My Life in Numbers
Days left at my old job: 4.5
Days left as a New Yorker: 11
Days left till I am an official resident of Baltimore: 14
Days left till I depart for Egypt and Jordan: 20
Days left till I begin my new job: 43
Days left till I resume normal blogging activity: 45 (estimated)
Bear with me through the move and my trip! With everything going on, I'm not able to devote the time or brain space to blogging, but I will be much better once I am finally settled in at the end of September. I will try to post as much as possible, even while I'm in the Middle East, so please keep checking in here or, better yet, on my facebook page for updates.
Have a fabulous August, and I'll see you in another city!
Sara
My point exactly!
Our Sick Chick Picnic last weekend was, well, a picnic in the park! We had a great spread of yummy foods, including anti-inflammatory cherries, cold sesame noodles, cucumber sandwiches (probably inflammatory, but oh well), greek salad, sausage and cheese, chocolate chip cookies (definitely inflammatory) and more. It was delicious, and once again, so great to sit and talk with others going through a similar experience.
Though I'm heading to Baltimore next month and will be starting another Sick Chick Club down there, Jodi, Dianna and Kat are going to keep the NYC chapter going, so if you are in the area, come on by the next event!
If you are interested in starting your own, here's how you can find people in your area.
On another note, my relocation to Baltimore is completely taking over my life. I'm really sorry if I end up neglecting you all for a bit, but I promise that once I'm installed in Baltimore and back from my upcoming trip to Egypt and Jordan (post forthcoming), I will be able to resume proper attention! Please bear with me....my whole life is about to change!
All photos complements of the talented Jodi McKee. See more of her pics at flickr. She's working on a portrait project capturing RA RA's, so stay tuned!
PS: you can't tell from the photo, but I'm wearing a sassy RA tee complements of Arthritis Friend that reads snarkily: My immune system attacks itself; what does yours do?
Dear New York City,
This is a very hard letter to write. I admit that I've been putting it off for a little while, even though I knew it was inevitable. You might have noticed that I've been a little quiet and withdrawn lately, and the time has come to tell you why.
These last six and a half years have been amazing - really, truly amazing. We've seen each other through some hard times (RA, break ups, the economic downturn), some really good times (a million amazing meals, fantastic art and unforgettable friends), and everything in between. I know I haven't always been there for you, and you haven't always made it easy to love you, nonetheless, I do. I really, really do.
But that being said, it's time for me to leave. I know in the past, you've heard me threaten to leave you before and even dream about how great other cities might be. And I know that in the end, I always stayed. But this time is different. Even though things have been really great between us lately, there's just no denying that I'm ready for a change- a new challenge, a new start. Six and half years is a long time- I was just a healthy, young girl of 23 when I first moved here, but now I'm a grown woman of 30 with a complicated life. I have different needs now, and even though I really, truly wish that you could give me what I need, I think we both know that that's not going to happen, at least not now.
So next month, I'm going to go. I'm heading to a new town: Baltimore. You might have heard of it. It's not as big and glamorous as you. It hasn't been in as many movies or TV shows. It doesn't hang out with tons of celebrities like you do, and it doesn't stay up all night, every night doing a million crazy things. But it's a really cool place, too, with tons of great food, history and a beautiful harbor. And it's going to give me some things you never could, like financial stability, a big apartment with a bathtub, and a calmer life. I know, I know, I love all the crazy things we have done together, but I really think this is the best thing for me now even though it will be heartbreaking to leave you behind. I promise, I'll still come and visit. I really hope we can remain in each others lives. And who knows, maybe I'll even end up back here one day.
But for now, I'm heading to Charm City to start a new job and a new life. It's going to mean new doctors, new friends, learning to drive again and a whole host of other surprises, I'm sure. I know I'll have a lot more time to take care of myself and think about my needs for a change. I might finally learn to tango or work on my book. Maybe I'll even find love again- who knows? It feels like just about anything is possible!
I really hope that you'll be happy for me. I promise I'll stay in touch. Thanks for everything you have given me- I wouldn't be who I am without you. Well, I guess this is it. Wish me luck!
Love always,
Sara
Last Friday evening, four Sick Chicks made their way out to Pierr 66 on the Hudson despite the threat of rain and the havoc that it can wreak on a rheumatic joint. Once again, it was so great to sit in the company of other women dealing with many of the same issues and talking about our frustrations, funny experiences and ideas for changing the face of RA.
Here are a few great photos of the evening, taken by Sick Chick Clubber Jodi McKee, resident Sick Chick Club photographer. (Sadly, since we were outside, there aren't too many of us as it got too dark!)
Next Sick Chick Club NYC activity: A Sick Chick Picnic in the Park! Are you going to be around the 2nd weekend in July? If so, let me know, and come join the fun. Exact date TBD, but it will be either July 11th or 12th in Central Park.
(all photos by Jodi Mckee, Sick Chick Club, New York)
I never thought I'd be so happy to have blisters....RA is always full of surprises, huh?
What, because dating isn't complicated enough already???? Read about it here.
See me melt away into a puddle of fatigue in the comic strip that goes with my latest RACentral post! There is quite a discussion going on about fatigue in response to this article, too, so if you haven't already, weigh in with your experiences and thoughts!
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