WEGO Health Blog Challenge for November 2016 Day - 16 - What kind of suggestions I may give to others who are starting out as "Activists - Advocates - Volunteers

" What Kind of Advice I May have for those who are starting out in the Advocate, Activist Role and are "Rookies" wanting to know a few tips."

Wow, that is a very great question! I wished I had "asked" more questions when I began my ongoing pledge, and began down the road of activism, advocacy and being a volunteer when it comes to just about anything involved in the health field. When it is a chronic health issue and/or chronic pain, there are SO MANY websites, blogs, non-profits, articles and more that can begin you on your journey.

Yet, here are a few things I've learned and "taught myself" along the way.


Try to pick "one or two" illnesses, health needs, healthcare related issues, such as insurance, medications, physicians, and so forth. I am the type of person who wants to "do it all", "be in it all", help everyone, be there to assist everyone I can. I found out very quickly, especially if you, yourself Are "Chronically Ill", or are a Caretaker of someone ill, that you can definitely be in way "over your head" and in burn out quickly if you try and take on too much at once. So, try a few different avenues, such as being an advocate for a certain group, such as Diabetes, Autoimmune Illnesses (RA, Lupus, Sjogren's and so forth), heart diseases in women, children's health, becoming a blogger, posting on Social Media, on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and such. This may help you find your "niche'".

You may prefer to do "drives" such as the "Jingle Bell Run" for the Arthritis foundation, in many major cities across the nation, or one of the other drives, many do walks and runs, women's breast cancer, heart problems, other cancer's. If you are good with people, then you may find helping to raise awareness AND raise MONEY for one of them, could be what you feel good at.

Write! Tell your story! If you are chronically ill, you maybe already on a Facebook group, or one of the Foundations's groups, where you can tell your own story, which often helps to inspire others.

That is the ONE thing that I found out of everything I do in my years of activism, Ambassadorship and Advocacy, is TELLING MY PERSONAL STORY, either on a social media site, or possibly at a group in your town or city, or even in your newspaper. Get your own experiences out there, Those help others to see they are not alone. They have people that DO totally understand, and can support them.

Often now many of the non-profits go to a "Summit" Annually making a trip to Washington DC, in order to tell their stories to CONGRESS! We need Congress on our side for helping with medications getting passed possibly, or funding to get a new medication researched, or raising awareness of just how many people are ill, not working, and are so ill daily they are not able to cope with a job, and YOU are the ones that NEED TO again TELL YOUR STORIES TO CONGRESS!!! Those stories are exactly how we get the government, whether, local, state wide, or National, and make them understand how crucial the help and role the governments play in assisting non-profits, can possibly help others to feel well enough to work, to someday find a cure, or even STOP THE ILLNESSES, BEFORE THEY EVER HAPPEN!

So, above are the few things I've learned about getting involved, remembering you are not a "super-activist" so you can't do it all at once, then find your niche, and off you go in search of all of the help and awareness you can get in the activism direction your heart desires.

#HAWMC

WEGO HEALTH

 

WEGO Bloggers Challenge for Monday November 14th 2016 - Monday, Monday.... "Purging what "burns me out", makes me upset, gets me down and out" so I can "deal" with it on Tuesday

This is an easy one. TOO MANY IRONS IN THE FIRE AND TRYING TO KEEP THEM ALL HOT AND READY TO GO! 

Trying to do 100 things at once, being ALL to everyone and not able to just say ENOUGH, I NEED HELP AND I NEED A BREAK FROM THE INSANITY, THE PAIN, I NEED THE SURGERIES, AND I WANT MY LIFE BACK WHERE I CAN DO MY WRITING, MY ADVOCACY AND BE READY TO HIT WASHINGTON DC IN MARCH, FOR THE AF SUMMIT READY TO "ROAR" AT ARE "NEW" CONGRESS!

Since my Mom getting so ill so quickly, and needing my help 24/365/7, and then passing away so suddenly this past June, my life has turned into a disaster beyond anything I could have ever imagined. Being an only child made that even more difficult because it was ME and only myself to do everything. When you are already chronically ill yourself and your own "caretaker" of 13 years suddenly has walked out a year before, I was left to try and hold on taking care of her, myself, and ALL that has gone with that, and then after she passed away, I am still reeiing from "wanting to get back to having some of my life, having surgeries I need, writing and doing my advocacy work. 

I thought once "most was settled" just before the funeral, then just after, some type of somewhat "normal" would begin to come to fruition. 

Boy, what a "slap" in the face I got, with paperwork, and all that STILL HAS TO BE DONE, even though she is no longer with us, I miss her dearly, and although I "thought" we had everything in order long ago, I found out that somehow things got "changed" that I was not made aware of. That has caused hard feelings, and those things were the very last I wanted for myself and my two grown children.

So, hopefully by "telling" this once again, and often what my writing can be for, is to "purge" some of what is stressing me so badly, and help to get my surgery on my neck done at least before the end of the year, and allow me to have back some of that normality I so need in my life.

I LOVE my Mom, and I MISS HER, but at times I am so UPSET AT HER, for "changing" things that did just what I told her it would leave harsh feelings for those left here to continue on. 

#HAWMC 

 

 

 

WEGO Bloggers Challenge for Sunday November 13th - "One of the "BEST THINGS THAT Happened this past week?"

November 13th, 2016 WEGO Health Bloggers Challenge for Friday - "Finding the "good" from this past week"

I seem to not have "many good things" as of this past about a year. So, when those time come along, they are certainly not taken for granted, and I try and hold on to that good memory, so I can get through all of the circumstances of pain, burn out, and pure life's grief it can give to us....

#HAWMC

Having the "most" of the past 5 days of this week, where I was able enough to get some things done in the house, like moving some furniture, dusting, and doing that "deeper" cleaning, even washing the drapes (although I don't have them back up yet) & also being able to do some limb cutting from my trees that dearly need it. The drought here several years back did a number on them and almost killed them. So, they needed to be pruned back really far before winter col, cold hits, so they will have a change to put some "good" new growth on, and not look so "bare" in the inner parts of the tree.

I have a great deal more to do, but I got some of that cut up and put out for the trash collectors this morning, Now the larger limbs I have left I have to get cut down small enough so they will pick those up.

I also made a decision (FINALLY) to order a new area rug for my living room and have my eye on a sofa that will be high enough ff the ground the dogs will no longer be able to have their "peeing contests" when they get mad, and soil the carpet OR the sofa.

I am hurting from head to toe, I am hoping to have my neck surgery done in December, and try to help stop this pain. It is another reason that I am not keeping up with my blogging and writing, I am in so much pain, on my right side, shoulders,hand,wrists, swelling, now a lump at my thumb, and I am hoping that they put me on Xeljanz, because the MTX for one is NOT working, and for 2, I am having side effects again from it...

So, there is what I considered "good bits and pieces" of my week, last week.

WEGO Bloggers Challenge for Saturday 12th - Time to "get real" with your doctor

Saturday Day 12, 2016 - WEGO HEALTH'S BLOGGER'S CHALLENGE - WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT TO TELL SOME OF YOUR DOCTOR'S AND DON'T HOLD BACK!

Well for one, I am sick and tired of doctors thinking that just because I patient may do research on their illness(es) or look things up, I cannot fathom a doctor getting upset or calling a patient a "moron", Layman, and telling them "you do not know what you are talking about".

I agree there is a OVER ABUNDANCE of some really ridiculous information online for everything! Not just the medical field, but just about anything you want to search for.
One has to learn how to "think" about what you read or hear when it is NOT a specialist, and try to weed out what really is silly, or does not apply to your case.

Plus for myself, when I go into my doctors offices, and ask questions or tell them about something I've read online, often times "most" of my research, is usually almost right on target. Not always, and I have one physician that LOVES and "educated patient".

But, one is a complete jack-ass to put it like it is, he ignores anything I have to say, he tells me I am basically stupid, and leave the "doctoring up to those who do have the "knwledge and education" to do the "medical work".

I SO would love to tell him, that I have been to "some so-called" doctors, that not being narsaccist but I KNE more than they did about some things. When you are chronically ill, many of us DO KNOW more about our conditions than doctors. WE KNOW our bodies, we know what feels right and what feels wrong. We understand the articles, even bloggers posts we read, and they also know many things our physicians never are even taught, especially about autoimmune diseases. My own pain doctor will admit, that I know more than many medical workers, including doctors, nurses, PA's, and NP's when it comes to my own conditions, because I do research things, I do decipher what is "not right" and what may be deemed something critical in my situation.

I would love to tell every doctor I have been to and others, that they NEED to be EDUCATED MORE on autoimmune and rare illnesses, because in many cases now, WHAT WAS RARE, is NOT that rare anymore.


"THAT IS MY STORY AND I AM STICKING TO IT!"


#HAWMC

#HAWMC@wegohealth

WEGO Health Day 11 - Bloggers Challenge a "TOP TEN "must follow" Lists From Facebook Twitter, and Blogs....

This one is kind of a mixed up "bunch" for me. I have those that follow me on Facebook, but they may rather follow my blog posts, or I know I have a good deal of following on Twitter. I really never have "kept up" with the number that come back again and again, but do know those that comment and read often, because they either give me a thumbs up, mention my "Newspaper" yes, I do have a Daily Newspaper I put out, FOR Chronic Pain, Chronic Illnesses and Dementia. I send it out daily on Twitter, Linkedin, FB, plus there is a follow page on my blog, in case you want to joint my daily Newspaper. I will say the newspaper "seems" to be giving people a great deal of information, because the articles are from reliable sources for the most part, I have also "tailored" it for those with the Autoimmune, Chronic Illnesses, such as Diabetes, Heart problems, and so forth, plus Chronic Pain, and all that comes with the controversy on it now, especially on our medications for chronic pain. Plus I added "Dementia/Alzheimer's" after my Mom passed away last June 9th, due to the fact I "feel" that it may run in our family, on Mom's side. Both of my Grandparents had it, but my Grandfather, had full blown very difficult Alzheimer's. Mom's turned into an aggressive, what we feel was the "Lewy Bodies" Dementia, that I watched take a woman of 78 years old, who could still drive, clean her home, and cook, etc... to within 4 months go to being bedridden, in diapers, could not even remember her home, who she was, and mostly had no memory most of the time of who I was. Within 2 more months it took her life. One of the most difficult times in my life, and something that has "changed" me forever, in SO many ways.... some good for the most part, and some may say things that may not be so good... but I know to just roll with the flow of it all, and NEVER take ONE MOMENT of life for granted.

So, Here is kind of a "mixed list" of blogs, Facebook friends, Twitter followers, and those that comment, and are "followers" in one way or the other....

Facebook Followers and I follow them also

Denise 

Venetia Shafer- FB

Amanda Matheny - FB

Cynthia Carr Czaplicki - FB and she really is wonderful about making comments and reading, plus she is a relatively new friend there. 

Betty Walters - FB

Raymond Veditz - FB

Judith Flanagan  - FB

Barby Ingle - FB

Nancy Hershalman Gipson - FB

Jean Marie Ely Breaux - FB

Jane Gill-Wilson  - FB

Blogs I follow (and love to tell others about)

Arthritis Foundation (I know it is a website but they have a blog also)

The Hurt Blogger

Rheumatoid Arthritis Guy

All Flared Up

Little Miss Autoimmune

Barby Ingle (all of her writing, articles, books & more)

Float Like a Buttahfly

Not Standing Still Disease

An Autoimmune Arthritic Systemic Life (of course my own  ;)

WEGO Health's Blog, & ALL of the Help. Challenges (good kind) and assistance they give to all of us!! (Website in general)

Creaky Joints

Twitter Followers

JoJo @SuzieMay08

Told You I Was Sick (Also great blog/writer!)

PajamaDaze

Arthritis Foundation

WEGO Health

Cure Click

Cluster Shade

Patient Power

Elizabeth@themamaspace

A Chronic Voice

 

And there are so many more, that either follow me, or we follow one another on Facebook, Twitter,Linkedin, Blogs, and even emails. There are many URL's that truly "help and guide me" at times.  US Pain Foundation, and International Pain Organization, Med-Page and any "medical newsletters I get and save. they are also a wealth of information.

So, to those who I may have "missed" here, I apologize, because I do see and read you, your posts, and know much about your lives and what all of you are going through.

 

So, Here are my lists!

 

#HAWMC  

 

 

 

 

and by the way, here is the link to my newspaper and the name of it!

http://news.autoimmunearthriticsystemiclife.com/#!headlines

Life Chronic Pain & Autoimmune Systemic Diseases & Dementia®

"All aspects of autoimmune & chronic pain illnesses, fighting to survive & grow past them"

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

WEGO Health Day 10 - Bloggers Challenge - Writing a post (question) about my condition and then "answering it"

DAY 10 WEGO HEALTH BLOGGERS CHALLENGE

Question:

Dr. "Rheumy" If I do more exercises than I've been doing, although I do walk, ride my inside walker/skier, eat more apples, lose 10 pounds, start getting up 30 minutes early and do Yoga, then stay up 30minutes later, and use a calming essential oil, that has citrus, Tangerine oil, Patchouli oil, & Chamomile Blue Light oil in it...oh and for the "brain fog" I use first thing a"Mental Clarity" Essential Oil, with Sweet Basil Oil, Peppermint Oil, Geranium Oil, Jasmine Oil, and follow what I've read exactly for a "diet" that "clears" the autoimmune system, of RA and Lupus, do you feel this will in fact "clear out" my immune issues, and give me back all of my strength, power, brain power, forceful way through life, be able to snow ski, take 3 or 4 week vacations, and be back to my old self within 6 months?

Answer:

As the "doctor" Dr. Rheumy tries not to laugh, or choke while not laughing, then would look me in the eyes as a patient, and at first say, those things are "good" for your overall health and well being. They definitely may give you "more days" that are with less fatigue, but, even with "all" of that work, that is what it could turn into, MORE Work, than your body at this point can stand. Which in turn could "weaken" your autoimmune system. You are already exercising, eating healthy, your weight is fine, and you are taking the medications prescribed for you. "Getting up earlier" and going to bed "later" although to do some "positive" may cause you to have less sleep which also effect your all over health, especially your immune system, that is "weakened". I KNOW there are some VERY excellent blogs, articles, even physicians, experts, and those online who want only to "help" others just like you. Yet, "some of those things" are not sometimes helpful but could cause more harm if mixed in with your regular medications. The essential oils are something you could diffuse and may give you some relaxation and then clarity and focus, or used in a bath, and apples are great for you always, most all types of fruit, and Yoga can help with "training" possibly the brain to not "feel so much pain" or give you more focus and calmness. YET, I along with every specialist, Regular physicians, experts, researchers, ALL will tell you, as of now, there is NO CURE FOR Rheumatoid Arthritis, nor Lupus or any other of the autoimmune illnesses. We have came a very long way with medications that can help the symptoms, and possibly "slow down" the rate your body is effected by these. But, no one at this moment has found a cure. I can ASSURE YOU that YOU AND ALL OF MY PATIENTS WILL BE THE 1ST TO KNOW, and come in FOR THAT CURE, WHEN THAT HAPPENS! That will be a joyful day for hundreds of thousands of patients just like yourself.

I "hope" I've helped clear up some things, as well as give you an idea of "what may" give you a bit of relief, or a tiny less fatigue, or even "more" better days than bad ones.

By the way, keep on "researching" online, BUT make sure you ask myself or your PCP BEFORE you were to try anything out there. There could be some people that want to "harm" more than do good.

#HAWMC

Day 9 - "Happy Hump Day" WEGO Health Blog Challenge - "What would be my "perfect" Day"?

First answer, going to the Casino... to stay overnight and get away from ALL of the illness, medications, cleaning, stress, loss of my Mom, and the grief from dealing with all that comes along with having to take care of everything after losing a parent or loved one. Being the "caretaker" before, while and after they are ill, and then pass away.

OF course that is a "1st" answer and it is extremely true, when it comes to wishing for the "perfect day" for myself right now. When "you" are chronically ill, chronically in pain, and most days you never know if you shall wake up feeling "good", "bad", horrible, or even on those rare occasions "WONDERFUL"; you hope for more of those wonderful days.

That does not mean ones that give me the time to go to the Casino for an overnight stay necessarily, but those or at least one or two, that give me the ability to get up, with pain and illness that is as less as possible. A day that the sun is shining, the weather is not to warm or not too cool, that day I can clean my home, go run errands, go to the market, maybe make a great meal, even in the slow cooker, play with my pups, have time to go outside, trim a few limbs from my trees, tend to my yard a bit, and even at the end of that day, not feel as if a "tractor trailer" had ran over me.

Yet, for many of us, we realize that "good" day, that leads us to be able to do those small or large things we want to do, shall probably lead to the next few days of being in pain, not feeling well, and having to "recover" from that one or two days we felt well enough to go out and feel "normal" for a bit of time.

For me, that is a perfect day. Those that come, where I get up, not as in much pain, not so fatigued, and I do feel like taking a shower, dressing up, putting on my makeup, fixing my hair, and going out to do errands, shop, wash my car, and not look "sick". It seems those days are rare. Oh, the shower, and running errands I do, but to really "feel" like dressing up, putting on makeup, getting my hair looking really nice, and then putting that "smile" on, and not looking worn out are the ones that are so far and few between.

At times, I feel that is why maybe I find myself slipping back or shying away from taking that overnight trip away. I may feel wonderful while I am out and about, wherever, Casino, shopping, yard work or whatever, because I realize that more times than not, I will "pay" for that 1 or 2 great days.

A day, two, three, a week, weeks, months.... most of us would give a great deal that we had, if not everything we had just to have a "normal' day, week, month, or year. Without being ill, without needing surgery, without needing many medications, without pain, and time we can spend with family, friends, on a job, in our home, just to "feel well" for a brief and wishfully a "lifetime" of not being chronically ill, or in chronic pain. 

Alas, since yesterday was an "election day" of a "first" ever for this nation or the world for that matter, "FREEDOM" is what I and ALL that are ill wished for a day, that is perfect 'FREEDOM FROM THE GRIEF OF CHRONICALLY BEING ILL AND IN PAIN".

#HAWMC

Strange Emotions, Being Physically Ill again, and something "odd" come over me at my Mom's house....

I just don't feel like speaking about the election, other than the fact I am glad it is over, I did my part and voted, and I pray somehow our country gets united and turned around in the right direction. We need that badly, more than the "battles" that were fought this past 18 months or so. I will say I've been really SICK AGAIN... I've had those cold, horrible sweats, so badly, I had to change all of the bedding, my clothes, and wash everything two or three times since Sunday night. I've not really been able to get off the sofa other than to make myself get up and change, since I was freezing, yet soaking wet from cold sweating, and I've had another one of those horrid headaches, that I just almost feel like nothing I try is working. I did run some fever off and on, but mainly severe, severe joint, muscle and body pain from head to toe, that "feeling" again like my joints wanted to "lock up" almost as if I was having a seizure... but as far as I know, I've done this now about 4 times or so and I don't think it is any type of seizure, it just feels that way, due to the muscle spasms and severity of pain in my joints, muscles and body. I had been really busy for the week or two before this started Sunday night. I got rid of that old loveseat recliner, by taking it apart like I had said earlier, and then I decided to move my television to the front windows and I turned the sofa around where it faces the front windows. I am going to get rid of the rug I have now.... and get a much smaller one that is round, where it does not sit under the sofa at all. 

Then after I see if that helps to stop the dogs from acting out, and peeing on the rug, if it is not under the sofa, and now the loveseat is gone, then I may by a new sofa, smaller and one that had no material close to the floor. Anyway, I had to move two huge glass cases around, that were each beside my television, and I spent the good part of a week, dusting, washing all of my glass things I had in there, and making things free of dust and the collection of that "gray powder" that seems to seep into all of our homes in this part of TX. I still have some things to go, and then I also redone my bedroom some, trying to get ready to bring my HUGE plants in... it is time to "de-bug" them, and get ready to put them in from the cold coming soon. 

They are all houseplants, but they LOVE the outside all spring and summer, so they really go into shock for a couple of weeks or more when I have to bring them in... my fern, my palm (which put 4 huge prawns on it, one of which is still not tall enough yet, but two of them now are at least 7 foot tall!, Then my ginger plant inside is at least that tall, and getting bigger everyday. My fern is about 15 feet around, and then I have several of the airplane plants that are also HUGE, and heavy... so it is a job in itself to get them all cleaned up, and then get them in the house.... It takes me days to clean each one, and then find room enough to put them... but right now I am just trying to get to feeling well enough to even take a shower, so I can get to the market... I need to go, but I am still in such pain, and so totally exhausted from whatever the heck is going on with me, I am not really feeling like even trying to get in the shower, and I know I NEED TO! Anyway, I wanted to touch base, and let everyone know what is going on here.. I know there are a couple of people I know that are also battling some bad illnesses, and like me facing surgeries possibly. 

I know that is one issue causing me pain, and possibly making me feel so bad... the stiff neck and severe headaches and back, hip and pain down my legs are all probably from needing the neck and lumbar back surgeries... I wanted to get those done, but it never seems like a "good time" to schedule them... and now here come the holidays and everyone will be busy with those...so I am not sure what the hell to do... I am still waiting to find out about what is going to go on with the other house... I had a very "strange" issue over there Sunday afternoon... I don't want to go into details, but for the very 1st time, when I just drove up into the drive, I had the "oddest" feelings, and then I almost could not "go inside".... I don't know why, I've not felt that way before, and even going and having to put some paperwork in the car, I felt the strangest sensation just sitting in that car.... I am supposed to drive it after I turn my Prius in in early 2017, but now I am not sure I "can drive" that car.... not due to the condition of it etc... it is in awesome shape, just needs tires, but there is something about the house and the car that really gave me a very odd feeling, and I still had "chills" up and down my spine as I drove away Sunday afternoon.. I've been too ill to go over as I usually do to check on it, since then, but something really came over me, that I had not felt before..... just really has shaken me up, plus I had a really horrible night terror on last Friday night, that was the worst in years.... I was so upset, I was not sure I could even stay alone anymore, I was so shaken by it.... alas, I have not much of a choice, me and the two furkids.... but anyway... I am still feeling "off" mentally and then physically still feeling not well either....

WEGO Health Blogger Challenge 2016 for Day 8 "I think I I can" OR "I Know I CAN".....

WEGO Bloggers Challenge Day * 2016 - "I Think I Can OR "I know I Can?"

I "think" I can get over the "hump" of losing my Mom so suddenly, and find a renewed life ahead of me - I need to give myself more time.

I think I can get my home fixed up and it be everything I want it to be.

I think I can get back into my writing and blogging, and make my 3rd BOOK a "Best Seller".

I think I can finally face my cervical neck surgery, and my lumbar surgery and they will relieve more of my pain.

I think I can walk through this life, even with all of the medical issues that surround me, and continue to find people that care about me, I think I can find new friends, and move past all of the loss, of not just Mom, but the loss of a relationship, find understanding, the loss of my dear Tazzy, my Pug, who I still miss daily, and move past the emotional pain that continues to dwell within and make me feel as if all I've seen in life is loss.

I think I can do MUCH of the "renovations" to my home, myself, and then "face the facts" there are some things now, my body no longer will allow me to do.

I think I can become a much better activist, advocate, volunteer and "voice" for those who suffer from such horrendous chronic illnesses and pain.

I think I can live my life alone, with my pups, and find the place where I no longer feel "alone or abandoned".

I think I can continue to make great decisions about my future, and continue the path of knowing more about medical research, chronic ailments, and give others hope through my own research and going through what I have been through. 

"I Know I Can!"

I KNOW I can go back to Washington DC one day, and give Congress once again my own life's issues with chronic illness, chronic pain, and how many of us suffer horrendously, and make A DIFFERENCE!

I know I can find more time to write, to work on my painting, my quilting, my gardening, and be able to get on the path, of feeling good about myself again.

I know I can LOVE, my Kids, Grand kids, and family even more every day. I know I can show them that they are my entire world. 

I know I can get these two pups to QUIT peeing in the floor when they are upset with me!

I KNOW I can continue to make this journey through life by myself, take care of myself physically, mentally and emotionally, and gain more insight to myself in the process.

I KNOW I CAN STOP having HORRIBLE NIGHT TERRORS!

I know that although sometimes others do not say it, they are proud of my "charity" works, and I will learn that I DO NOT have to have a pat on the back from anyone else but myself.

I KNOW I CAN GET THE HECK WELL! I AM SICK AGAIN!

 

I know I now can face my own "day of reckoning" when that time comes, whether soon, or decades from now, and I am NOT frightened. 

#HAWMC

https://www.facebook.com/wegohealth/

Monday's seem to "hit" everyone in some type of lousy way, no matter who, where, when or why it is what it is.... & throwing our Circadian Clocks OFF

Well, between Monday's usual errands etc, I think I finally got caught up on my WEGO Health Bloggers Month Long Challenge! I am still NOT feeling all that well. I know part of my problems with feeling lousy is because I have "overdone" it and probably WAY overdone than I care to admit. I've thrown out old furniture, moved furniture, cleaned, dusted, been trying to get a couple more of my "inside" windows not stuck anymore. I have "storm windows", but before they put them on, I did not get a chance to really make sure the inside old windows were not painted shut, or just plain stuck because of the age of the home. So, it has taken me several months in all to get about 11 or 12 that I can open up the inside windows and then get to the storm windows and open them when the weather is nice, and get inside, in between those also... I have one very, very STUBBORN ONE over my kitchen sink. I finally was hurting so badly I sprayed it down with WD-40 and left it last night. I've not tried it yet today. 

We have really wet, dreary, weather so the wood is also swollen which makes it harder to work with. Then I spent an hour or more yesterday trying to get the small "cracks" sealed up on my front storm door. I had some of the rubber put on the bottom, but it was not really long enough, so I put a new strip on that has the longer rubber on it. Then I had to put one on the outside, plus put a piece on the side where the screen latches. This house has settled so badly, that it also why I have issues with these windows. It needs to be leveled, BUT THE COST OF HAVING THIS HOUSE LEVELED NOW PROBABLY RUNS ABOUT $15,000.00! It was about $10M when we checked on it years ago. They have to get under it, pour concrete posts, then take out the old creosote posts that are under there then try and shim and level it up. It sucks also because this house happens to be on ground that has room to get under it on one side, and then the other is very, very low to the ground. It would be a nightmare.... it was not a true "peer and beam" but just more like the "beams" under it. 

There is SO much that needs to be done to the house, that it makes my head hurt and spin just thinking about the cost of some of those things, like the foundation, and a new fence in the back, that requires cutting down trees MY NEIGHBOR NEVER CUT DOWN WHEN HE PROMISED HE WOULD AFTER TAKING A BUILDING DOWN THAT WAS ON THE PROPERTY LINE, TO BUILD A BIG HONKIN' GARAGE THAT IS LARGER THAN MY OR THEIR HOUSE, AND LEFT THE TREES, ONE HUGE AND ROTTEN. Half of it is laying in my back yard.... and that expense is astronomical to have someone cut down those trees. Some of them are small enough I can get rid of most of them, but about 3 or 4 someone would have to come in with a chainsaw to get them down. As MANY things as I STILL DO, ANYTHING TO DO WITH A CHAINSAW is where I DRAW THE LINE! I do okay with my "pole trimmer/cutter" and most everything else, but the "saw zsaw" and any kind of chain saw I know I would never be able to handle. I've lost so much strength in my arms, hands, wrists, especially my right one, and my fingers, thumb and hand is so swollen it almost kills me to sit and type. BUT, I make myself, so I hope that they don't get even worse, which I need to go back to my Rheumy. 

The MTX is NOT WORKING. and in fact I stopped taking it as of today. I was taking it once weekly on Monday, but I decided it was not worth it, since it's not doing a thing for the RA. It is much worse in my hands, fingers, thumbs, and now my neck, and lumbar spine and hips are just "on fire" they hurt so badly. So, I hope we will try Xeljanz next, but I am not liking my Rheumy's NP at all. She is wishy washy and said that was what she would do last time I was there, and then went back to the MTX after my Rheumy had stopped it a year or more ago, at that time due to me having so many infections.  I NEED the cervical neck and lumbar spine surgery..

A great deal of my pain I feel is due to my spinal issues. But, there are times just like when Mom became so ill, I had to put off having those surgeries, because she needed me during those months. I could not have helped her, had I went ahead with cervical neck surgery, and/or lumbar sacral surgery. So, we do what we can do in life, and at times that means putting up with some unpleasant times, and things. Hopefully making the "sweeter" pieces all that much better!