ANGER~ warning vent..Cancer~ brain tumor?

I'll be nicer.... later :P lol

It's okay to be angry sometimes, as long as it isn't consuming you and burning away day after day after day. And yes, I totally agree that someone with cancer, even if their case is completely treatable, gets a lot more sympathy and understanding in general than someone like us, someone who looks normal (or relatively so) and has RA. Not that I think they don't deserve sympathy too. I think our day will come, I really do. In the meantime, I tell everyone who is receptive (and even some who aren't) about RA so that they will begin to understand.

When I was working, at first I tried to keep up every appearance, then I realized that I wasn't doing myself, or the people around me, any favors. So I started to let them see how much trouble I was having. It wasn't an easy decision, and it's not the right one for everyone, but it was the right one for me.

You say you haven't really told your sister how much RA affects your life. OK, so now give her the chance to understand. Tell her, maybe not all at once, but start to tell her about the ways it affects you and how much it does to you. You may be surprised at how understanding she is. My sister is normally very self-centered (it runs in the family

And yes, the exercise posts are hard for me to read too, as you know from the other thread. But I think for most of us, some exercise is still doable and important, so we'll let those people handle those threads.

I'm guessing that somewhere in the past you had a really bad week, not unlike this one, and at some point it ended and things weren't as bad. Try to remember that, and that this bad time will also get better, not perfect, but better. It's okay to vent in the meantime.

_popupControl(); I feel your frustration about not looking sick, but totally agree with NOT wanting to look sick. When people ask what's wrong with me, I've starting telling them I have an incurable autoimmune disease. Usually they don't ask which one, they just get that apologetic look on their faces. Some people know what RA is, but for those that don't all they hear is "arthritis" part and then dismiss it.

About the exercising... I know it's frustrating as hell when you're in pain to even get from point A to point B. Sometimes a few steps are agonizing. On the other hand, staying still only makes it worse. It's why we feel the stiffest in the morning when we first wake up. Do only what you can manage and then add a little more when you can. It will get better and it will get easier. :)

Don't give up... EVER! *hugs*

MrsA2008-04-26 12:30:06gees whispered thought you had a brain tumour..
good to see you only have ra... i have the opposite going for me.. people stare all the time ..
whith my slooow walk and wrist supports.. but hey im still standing..
people on scooters stand out less.. i have learnt to adapt..

the people closer to me are the ones who would think ihave no illness
but i prefer that.. and it keeps me more active..
Boney

I'm sorry you are going through such a hard time whispered. Things will get better, I promise. Innerglow is right. Your sister wants to see YOU, not have you do things. I understand about wanting to help, but we can only do what we can only do at the time. It's the good and bad days we have to learn to deal with.

This morning my hubby had to help me out of bed to go to the bathroom. I took a pain pill and he told me to go back to bed and sleep til I feel better. I almost never have this option so I am taking advantage of it because I have to work until 10 tonight, ugh.

I hope you are feeling better soon

hugs!

deb

Oh I almost forgot. I was in a super anger stage and told hubby and my rheumy that I wish I did have cancer, cuz then I would at least get better or die. That did a lot to make them understand how much pain I was in....

[QUOTE=InnerGlow]And one more thing (sorry I'm on a roll today), I'm betting your sister is much more interested in seeing you than in having you set the table. These are the judgments inside our own heads, about what we should do and can't do. Don't let that stop you from visiting your sister. And don't feel guilty about it. Otherwise, the RA wins.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely. I'm betting your sister just wants to spend time with you and couldn't care less about how little you can help. I understand you want to do your part and I'm sure she'll understand too, but that's not why she wants you to visit. I'm sure she'll be happy to have your company, any way she can get you.

I'm really sorry. I can feel your frustration and anger and you have every right to feel that way. I hope it gets better. You've dealt with this long enough. In the meantime, visit your sister. The change of scenery and the distraction from your pain may be just what you need right now. <hug>

ANGER~ warning vent..Cancer~ brain tumor? | Arthritis Information