I always try to be upbeat about these diseases but bottom line is that it gets harder every day to get things to moving and to get in to my day. I have fewer hours every day that I can get things accomplished.

I try to keep a good attitude. I don't push myself to get up as early as I did for years. When I get up and kiss my hubby, hug the dog and open the windows, I am thankful for another day and sing to the dog "It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood" or "Oh what a beautiful morning" I used to be pretty ready to get in to the day. I follow that routine (later each year) still but then I sit down in my chair with my pills, a glass of iced tea and the newspaper. It is 10:30 a.m. and I still can't get things to moving.

The pain which I was so able to ignore through the years is getting more and more to where I can't ignore it. I really thought through the years that all of the different meds weren't doing much good. Now that I can't take them anymore I realize that they were helping a lot.

I hope you all have a glorious day. Thanks for letting me vent my feelings. I don't do that around here since my husband also has RA along with his COPD, Diabetes, heart disease and multiple replacements.

I did recently start going for some counseling/therapy just to be able to talk to someone. I suggest that for any of you having trouble dealing day in and day out with pain/disease.

Blessings.
Possi

PS Part of my problem may be late night cheering our "THUNDER" on in the playoffs. We were thrilled last night when they beat the Lakers and are on to take on the Spurs. NBA basketball is really fun when you have a hometown team to cheer for; especially with one with class like the Thunder. Root for us!!

Joyce, love, it does get harder, doesn't it. But you know what? You're doing what you need to - taking it easy, playing it by ear. You might find yourself rising slightly earlier in time. Just go with it.

Are you meditating, or doing relaxation exercises to calm your spirit and mind? Can you do volunteer work? I've always found my volunteer work to be wonderfully therapeutic and pain relieving, as much because it distracts me for a few hours.

I'm so glad you've started counselling. Talking about it with someone objective really does help, doesn't it. You can say things that you might not want to say to hubby for fear of worrying or upsetting him. The other great thing is that you came here and talked to us - because you know we get it.

And keep fighting to maintain that positive attitude of yours. It's your best weapon. And sometimes, plastering that beautiful smile on your face, even if you truly do not feel like it, can also help. Kinetic memory - your brain associates that with feeling good, so you start to feel better. A couple of deep relaxing breaths while you do it can help too.

And you are loved. By so many of us. You do realize you've been my inspiration more than once, I hope. Your attitude, your perseverance, your example have helped me get through some bad times. No pressure.

Love,

Joyce, I quit going to Church camp, because of the morning rush and my inability to be energetic..
You are loved just the way you are. It is nice to see you post again.

Sorry you are having problems, but I'm very happy to see you back posting again. Nothing wrong with taking more time to get moving in the morning. Enjoy the paper and your iced tea. Thanks for venting to us.

Thank you Kat. I have tears in my eyes right now. I really needed your message of love and understanding. I like the Butterfly thought also.

I hope you are having a good day. It has been interesting how "a good day" changes. :o) A good day is waking up again and having family and friends around.

I think I am in a Lupus flare. I am so terribly exhausted and in so much pain. I have really overdone it this Spring with the gardening. My husband said that he just couldn't garden this year and I couldn't stand to look at the back yard with the flower beds and vegetable garden full of weeds SO....I hurt myself working day aftr day cleaning them out and adding new mulch and planting some things. Next year I will try to hire a neighbor boy to help me. I knew better but I do love it. I think I would go to the dr. if he hadn't told me that he wouldn't treat me anymore. He doesn't even do labs anymore. Just tries to help me with my pain.

My dystonia has exacerbated from Blepharospasms to also Meige Syndrome and lately Cervical Dystonia; just more pain.

Sorry, didn't really intend to unload more on you.

I am so thankful that my husband kept insisting I come back and hang out with you.

Thanks Kat.
Possi

Basketball therapy even watching Thunder sounds great and moving and pushing forward even at 10:30 is good when its all you'be got. Keep fighting

Thank you Lon. That acceptance is so important and needed.
Since we moved from our long time home to the metro area to be close to family and better medical care, I haven't had much of a support system. Change is so much harder as you age and especially with disease. It was much easier moving in our younger days when we had children at home to get us involved at church/school/sports, etc. I don't know for sure that we would have moved if we had known how hard it would be. I logically know it is for the best. We have both had heart procedures. He has had 2 knee replacements and other surgeries. I have had 5 eye surgeries. It is so much easier living here than driving 100 miles. It is also nice to see the kids more often. Of course, they are very busy working and with their own lives and I don't share with them how hard life is becoming. I think that will have to come soon enough.

Giving up church camp was hard wasn't it? It is really hard giving up what we enjoy.

I am glad to be here and glad to be in touch with you Lon.

Blessings.
Possi

Thank you Rumble. As I read your message, I just thought about the turnpike and how you are just very close at the Eastern end of it. Made me smile.

I hope you are doing ok. When you get a rhizotomy, do they do a chemical one or the radio frequency?

Take care and thanks for your encouragement.

Hugs.
Possi

Thanks Steve. I suppose basketball therapy may be why I hurt so much. I played a hard, long game last night.
There was a time we wouldn't have watched basketball beginning at 9:30 p.m. but we are in to doing what we enjoy and if it means sleeping in a little later, so be it.

Thanks for your encouragement and for listening to my heart.

Blessings.
Possi

Kat, you gave some really good advise and I didn't even address it. Yes, I meditate and pray. I am not doing any volunteer work right now because I just physically am not dependable. My counselor suggested that but she says she doesn't know if the time is right at the moment. She has taught me some good relaxation techniques. She is one of the best things that has happened to me recently. I think what I want to do when I can is "rock babies at The Children's Center" which is a wonderful facility for babies/children with all kinds of disabilities. I think I could be a good baby rocker. :o)

Thanks again Kat.
Possi