I started this blog with the intention of looking for the gift in having RA – like the little girl digging through the manure, convinced there is a pony in there somewhere. I have found some gifts since I began, what I didn’t think about was gifts in the rest of my life. I wrote yesterday about how I have been feeling and dealing with this flu/cold stuff; later I began to realize there have been some benefits to it as well.
Me during the balderdash!
Something I have noticed lately is that when I have this kind of stuff, the RA behaves itself and doesn’t give me problems. I have not been stiff or really uncomfortable with it – probably because so much other stuff has been miserable and uncomfortable. I’ve come to the conclusion I have my mind on the stuff rather than RA; is that secret it to it? To keep my mind busy with other things so I am not focusing on the RA? I’m not quite clear on how that works and how to use it consciously to distract myself. I notice that I am not coughing for a bit – then I am coughing a lot. Too bad I noticed it.
Later – much later! It’s been 5 weeks of this balderdash and yesterday I finally felt more myself. I had energy and interest in doing things – something that has been missing for a while. Now that I am feeling better, I can look at the whole experience with more objectivity than when I was in the middle of it. Yers, still some cough, but so much better.
I went to see my acupuncturist for 6 visits, plus took Chinese herbs and a supplement for my immune system. It really helped with congestion in my sinuses and slowly helped with the cough. I also found out that when I have that “coming down with something” feeling, I need to go see her to nip it in the bud. Too bad I didn’t know that a long time ago.
I’ve had to rest more, have lie downs or naps, especially when I wasn’t sleeping well at night. Since I wasn’t feeling all that great, many times it wasn’t a chore to have a lie down. As I got better, I found myself running out of energy quickly, all I wanted to do is lie down and close my eyes. Last Friday I was feeling restless and frustrated – I wanted to do things but wasn’t quite ready yet.
I didn’t see my Mom for a couple of weeks because I didn’t feel well and I didn’t want to give the balderdash to her or anyone in the house. I have since been to see her and she has been sleepy but enjoyed chocolate and cookies. I read to her today, though I probably messed up my voice. She was more awake today and she seemed to enjoy the book. We’ve been having a lot of fog, so it is more comfortable and warm to sit in the recliner with her throw over her. I have arranged a haircut for her next Thursday, long overdue.
What other gifts have I received because of this stuff?
I’m not sure it is a gift, more an oddball observation. I usually think in terms of a tickle in my throat before I cough – this time it was an itch. Is there such a thing as an itchy throat?
Something to think about another time.
Me feeling so much better!
Gift of RA 
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