Mother's Day when you have RA

I think that mother's day has finally ended this year for me...most mom's have 1 day devoted to them. I have 3,4, sometimes 5 days depending on weather,  RA flares, insomnia, the list goes on. I honestly can't remember the last time I had a "normal" mother's day, Birthday, holiday....well any day. This year was no different. 3 daughters trying to outdo the other making me cry....every year...every holiday. They are a bit competitive and creative when it comes to mom days...lol So on Sunday, I was treated to brunch by my husband, a beautiful poem and heart fingerprints from daughter number 1 and granddaughter, a Facebook post by daughter number 2, and a beautiful poem to music by daughter number 3. Well, they all made me cry...each one air fist pumping their accomplishment..thinking they topped the other. Then lunch, cards, and a beautiful necklace yesterday from daughter number 2 and grandson number 2, brought tears to my eyes. Today, daughter number 3 gets a package in the mail...and hands me a small box.
A little background here...4 years ago, daughter number 3 had just turned 15. She wrote me a poem about spoons. (I'll attempt to add the picture at the end of this post) She attached a teaspoon from my kitchen drawer to the poem. I put it in the bottom of my grandfather clock (another surprise for a birthday and you guessed it...I cried..lol)
In the box today is a spoon..."You are Awesome". She asks if I kept her poem ( silly girl, I've kept everything my children have ever given me...even rocks..lol) I hand the small paper to her, and she replaces the spoon.  I read the poem she wrote me again...no tears, but a thankfulness and realization of how truly blessed I am to be a mom...Their mom. All 3 of my children and my husband get this disease. Trust me it has not always been hearts and rainbows...it has taken lots of talking, charts, diagrams, tears, and fears to reach where we are today. We still struggle with this at times, because this wretched disease takes its own twist and turns. We have all changed. But one thing hasn't, my love and devotion to my husband and children. They have all become advocates for RA/RD. And that folks is the best gift I could ever be given...tears or not!!!
Wishing you pain free days and love beyond measure. "YOU ARE AWESOME"
XOXOXO Lori ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
#PachicknwhispeRA #ReDefiningRA #Motherhood #family

It's all about you...Love, life, and priorities.

Yesterday I started a blog about another person who reached out to me after being diagnosed with RA. But I didn't finish it. I prayed last night as I do every night for God to use me where he needs me. So, as I prayed, forgiving those who don't get this disease, praying to be able to guide those who reach out to me that do, I realized 2 things.

1. Since being diagnosed with this disease, my life has taken a total different direction than I had planned. In spite of this illness, I have been blessed with meeting a ton of people all across this country who have one goal in mind....A CURE. I have been fortunate to travel some and see things I might never see. I've eaten foods I might never eat or try. I've laughed, cried, been scared out of my mind. But 3 things have remained constant, my faith, my husband and children, and my desire to make a difference in this life.

2. The second thing I have learned is that people are very judgemental. This disease brings home the realization that my time in this world is really limited. My priorities have changed so much since this disease diagnosis. But that really hit home in my last trip for my ambassadorship meeting.

So much information from reliable sources was presented. Some of it I already knew, alot of it was shocking and scary. But, the most important thing I learned is, I have changed. Now, sadly I also realized after coming home, that there are  people  in our extended family who do not realize that. Not only that, honesty seems to be something others can't give.

I am certain that others have also dealt with or are dealing with this very issue. I belong to a support group online, and some of the posts relate to the topic of family who have no idea what this illness is, the toll it takes on our minds, bodies, and spirits, and then there are the family members who are like the ostrich putting their heads in the sand hoping you will just stay away.

I was told that someone whom I was truly hoping to see, was worried the visit would focus on drama and unhappy things. But you see, I know my time is limited, I know I have but these brief moments in time to love, live, and learn. So, that time passed and sadly a great opportunity to visit was lost, and will probably not be an option again. It's a loss that hurt, but I have to keep moving forward.

It's difficult for people to understand that I am a different person now. It's very sad, because time passes and those moments to live, love, and learn are closing quickly. I have other people, places, and things to focus on. So, as I move forward in this crazy rollercoaster of life I've been given, I will continue to work diligently to spread the word about Rhuematoid Arthritis, I will realign my priorities as needed, and I will keep hoping for a cure.

To those who read this blog...I leave you with this advice, Love those who are present daily, realize that actions do speak louder than words, and most importantly...Love yourself enough to say it's okay to be different and move on from those things that do not make you happy. This life is way too short. They are missing out on something really special...YOU.

Much love to all of you. To those who choose to ignore or love you on your own terms....You're missing out on some awesome people and their stories.
😍😘❤❤❤❤

How far I've come....

Last night I got a frantic phone call from a friend....Those dreaded words I heard myself just a few short years ago....Rhuematoid Arthritis. And her questions began. What is It? What does it affect? Am I going to be disfigured like my client who had it and passed away a few months ago? I'm scared...My Grandmother had this. They took 9 vials of blood. They are testing me for RA. And I let her talk...let her get it all out...let her let it sink in as she was saying those words. We talked for over an hour. I talked her off the first cliff, reminding her that 9 vials of blood means they are checking other things. Don't put the cart before the horse and let's see what the doctor says. What if it's RA? What will I Do? I told her, you will see my rhuematologist who is truly amazing and understands our fears, anger, sadness, tears...I assure her that I will be here to listen, love, laugh, and get pissed off with her at this disease if she should have it. She felt a bit better, but still is worried...understandably.
I spent time after that call, thinking about my own journey...fears, tears, anger, and sadness I too had and some days still do. I thought what if I had a friend that I could call and talk to for an hour, who would calm my fears. I did not have that one friend, but I do have a spouse and 3 daughters who have lifted me up, dried my tears, held me as I sobbed. But I realized I have that and much more...I have another entire family at Cresendio Bioscience,  Continuum Health, and my fellow Ambassadors who live this life everyday like I do. Recently we gathered, and I learned so much more about this disease. It isn't that you are diagnosed and that's it, NO,  it changes daily and you never stop learning.
I have a country wide support system that is just a message away. Yes, this disease robs you of so much and I would never wish this on anyone. I believe God places things and people in your life for a reason. I didn't want RD, but it has given me the chance to make a difference in one person's life, to listen, to encourage, to understand. May is arthritis awareness month....I have a feeling I'm going to have the opportunity to make many aware. 🤔😁
May your days be filled with uplifting thoughts and many blessings beyond your imagination. We get this one life, no matter what, use it.
Love to you all. ❤❤❤❤