Suit up and show up for life, my friends!

Hello my friends ~
I know it has been a long summer and
I've been away from all of you a lot.
Due to the fact that I was applying
for help, I couldn't even show that I could
type once a day or a week.
Good news is that I finally have security.

Not what I went to school 11 years at night for...
but, "Life Happened" to me.
Now I am learning to deal with it
like a women with dignity and grace.
Throw in a few crying bouts and
thoughts of what if's, and "wish I could..."
and there you have it.

So, many of you have been asking me ~
"what the heck has been going on?"
A LOT!
My doctors and I just also learned that
while I have been on 3 excellent drugs
~the MRI was expected to show that
after one year on a DMARD, a new
Biologic, and Methotrexate, I should
be stable or a little better.

Are you ready for this?
Can you say Erosion ~ Joint destruction
tearing of ligaments ~
As my PCP said, It is a systemic disease,
and if it is eroding your hand, and you have
symptoms in other places, absolutely, you could
have potential joint erosion/ligament tearing
in other places.  (like my feet/hips/shoulders).
JOY.

Her goal is to get me to take advantage of ALL
that Boston Rheumatology has to offer, to keep me
functional and mobile.  

I nearly always wear my sneakers...without laces.
Not even my Naturalizer sandals.  My heels hurt
walking.  So wearing them really help.

I haven't even been able to do yoga.
My dear friend Elizabeth, who is my yoga instructor
said, "come to the studio - even in your sneakers".
Bless her heart.

It is a new day, a new start, new outlook...
I went for a nice walk with my dog and cat today.
It is beautiful out here.   I am doing ok.   Spine is
yucky, but oh well.   Feet are good.   Going to go
to gentle yoga Wednesday and see my old friends.
Can't wait.

At first the news, in black and white, scared the
sh*& out of me.   Now, I am praying that the
infusions and Methotrexate are going to get me
into remission...or at least to be able to do yoga
everyday again (modified to heck!)

So, my friends...life is a journey.   You can piss and
moan about taking a pill, or 27, or taking a shot or
infusion, but at the end of the day...
we are on the right side of the daisies.

What are you grateful for today?
I am grateful for financial security...however small it is.
The ability to reach out to my friends and family again
on FB.
Everyday, knowing I have a choice to suit up and show 
up for life...and take beautiful souls with me on my journey.
So grateful for my family that has really rode this rollercoaster
with me...and even chops the fruit & veggies and waters the flowers!

How about you?

Healing hugs,
Alicia

PS...I really missed you all :)

Life Happened...now what? Choices: 7: ~ Exercise every day ~ or ~ Let your body stiffen up faster, advancing your disease©

"A good laugh and a long sleep are the best cures in the doctor's book."  ~Irish Proverb


Hello my friends ~ 
Sorry it has been a while since I wrote.
That's the thing with RA...
Sometimes you don't have the energy for
much more than the basics.


However, exercise is key
no matter what!
You have to keep moving
in the right direction ~
doing a little exercise 
everyday.


Back in the good ol' days
I rode my bike all day long  ~
Hiked mountains ~
Power walked ~
Gymnastics ~
Went to the gym ~
Had a rowing machine ~
A step for step aerobics ~
You name it, I did it. 


Not anymore.  Oh no.
That's ok.   I am creative.
I've discovered what I can do...
you can too.
Most importantly ~ discover
what you love to do ~
and do it every single day.


Yoga is my physical medicine
along with meditation for my 
mind/body wellness.
On my mat, I am perfect
however my day goes.


Some days I am up for 
a gentle yoga class
others days ~ it is a modified
stretch routine
followed by relaxation pose
"savasana"


But, no matter what
I am on the mat everyday.
If I get off my routine ~
my body will stiffen up so fast ~
I will be in so much pain...
It isn't worth it.
Yoga is the exercise that truly helps me.
It has for ten years now.


A long time ago 
my doctor said to me ~
"if you hadn't been doing yoga
all these years, your joints would
be stiff and stuck"   Amazing. 
Thank God I am proactive for my
own health and wellness!


You have to be too!  You have 
so much to gain!


I also walk my dog (and cat)
a bit each day.   Again, to the 
best of my ability.   Now, let 
me tell you a little something I noticed.
My health has a direct effect on my dog's 
girth.   Tyles is getting chunky because
this winter was tough on me.   
We all need our exercise, especially our pets!
They can be our excuse/cure!


So, my friends, choose health.
Choose an exercise you love and will
stick to.   Trust me...I worked as a Diabetes
Specialist for many years and one thing I heard
over and over from National experts was "exercise
is as important as diet" for your health.


So, my friends, 
Keep moving ... Keep moving...
keep moving in the right direction!
And we will thrive ~ darn it all...we will.


Healing hugs, 
Alicia   


ps. Add your email - that seems to work great.

Life Happened...now what? Choices: 3 ~ Find joy in the little things or stay on the pity pot©

Hey my friends...

Life keeps on happening in my life...how about you?
Here are some more choices we have:

Find joy in the little things
or stay on the pity pot...

Now, my friends we know about the pity pot...
my old, wise friend used to say to me ~
"you can stay on the pity pot for a little bit...
just don't stay so long you get a ring around your bottom!"

That always makes me laugh ~
hope it made you smile too...
It is a funny visual when you are
feeling sad, grumpy, defeated...
~ in other words ~ on the pity pot

Let's all really think about something
right now.
Look out the window ~
what is something that brings you joy?
I just noticed squirrels chasing each other.

Ok...take a peek around your space.
Do you have a favorite picture nearby
that brings back a great memory?
Go there. Right now. Remember. Smile.

How about friends...do you have any cards or notes
from friends...or your mom and dad... ?
give 'em a call...write them a note.
It will make their day and yours too.

If we take time everyday and re-focus
on the joy in the simple things in life...
our time on the pity pot will be minimal.

Our days were meant to be lived!
Sure, we have to modify...like my yoga practice...

but there is joy in the re-creation of you.
There is!  Make sure of it!  It's your choice.

Joy or pity...
Thrive or stagnation...

Which one are you choosing?
We are on this journey together...
let's thrive with the little joys!

Healing hugs,
~Alicia