Hello ArthritisInsight, salutation and greeting on this fall morning. I was informed of your presence on the WWW by Spelunker/Shug and was told that an introduction was de rigueur. I have seldom been effective at the intro level, however will dive in without too much ado and hope I do not, as usual, overdo the intro phase.
I am 62, a retired life-flight nurse, who was also a midwife for more years than I care to think upon; I have a Ph.D. in Public Health and another in, of all things, Art History. I am married to my best friend, no children, but a slew of nieces and nephews, great, greater, and greatest. We live “butted-up against the US/Mexico border in the shadow of Huachucha Mountain and within sight of Mexico’s San Pedro Peak. For reference, our corner of the world is southwest of Tombstone, Arizona; west of Bisbee, and south of Sierra Vista.
We, my husband and I, have a passel of puppies, a vegetable/fruit garden, and share a zest for living in the moment. I am an old hippie who dabbles in what many old hippies do: alternative healing, paganism, retro-art, divination, and being in touch with the Great Goddess Gaia, the Earth. I am a picket-walkin’, card-carrying, vocal, and troublesome environmental activist, a health-care advocate (although less that enthralled with the current “reform” bills), and a generally jovial woman.
I was diagnosed with RA circa 2004 after a year-long cycle of increase polyarthritic inflammation and increasing disability from the same. I am sero-negative, but with a high ESR and radiological evidence of synovitis and erosion.. I am on Enbrel, Arava, and Plaquenil for the escalating signs and symptoms of SS. I have a lovely assortment of pain medications to, as the doctor says, “See you through the rough patches.”
I readily answer question, but will, right now, only reiterate, HELLO.
I'd like to chirp up and say hello back to you. There are a lot of fine people on this board that I feel you will be able to converse with.
Welcome Joan! Sorry you have a need to be here but it is a place you can get good support and understanding. Sounds like you will be able to give us a lot of information and advice. Impressive education and work history. Was the PhD in history just for fun or was that for another career? Doesn't quite go with the nursing and public health! You must have enjoyed school. Thanks for being so open with your introduction.Welcome, welcome, welcome! I am so glad Shug let you know about us, and happier still you found each other! Shug is a special person and I am happy to know you close to her. Aren't such connections magical somehow? Anyway, I hope you stay and I look forward to getting to know you better. You won't find better people anywhere on the net!
well, hello there!!
Welcome! Glad you found us...
Phats
Hello and welcome to the forum. The board seems filled with nurses....RA as an occupational hazard? I'm an old hippy and retired surgical nurse (neuro) of 18 years. I'm located in the Great Basin desert area of Nevada. I'd much rather be in the Sonora desert but life's journey brought us here. We have many interests in common. I look forward to reading more of your posts and hope that the RA meds have helped you to enjoy your life's passions. LindyHi, sorry you need to be here, but all in all its not a bad place, lots of good advice, sympathy when needed, fun and laughter and good friends too. Ignore the other stuff it eventually quietens down. Hope your RA is under tight control and remains that way. Regards Janie.
I am fairly new too, I am unable to post too much as I normally need the help of a younger member of the family to navigate my way around the computer.