(Connie Mom read this too) ~ ~ Everyone

[Guest guest]

Hi & Everyone,

is right about that! I usually can't stay quiet for long! I have been

here since January 5, 2000. It was the best thing I did to start my new

Millennium! I am now working on my 19th year of Rheumatoid Arthritis. I am

all crippled, crooked and bent. And that's just my head! LOL. No, seriously,

I am pretty disabled, but I do my best not to let it get me down. I had a

moment on Saturday when Mom was here that I got down about how my right hand

seems to be getting worse. I worry about my hands and my eyes most of all,

now, as far as damage. My hands and eyes are what I entertain myself with,

computer, TV, and reading. Since I am bringing this up, what would you do if

suddenly you lost your sight with this crippling disease? How would we cope??

I run into things with my eyes wide open, what would I do in the dark? I know

I am just hypothesizing, but sometimes I think about it when I am having a

down day. I just want my hands. I am going to ask my doc about surgery when I

seen him next month and see what he says. It is only my right hand that seems

to be getting bad.

Anyway, I am here. =) I started coming down with a cold 2 weeks ago and ended

up losing my voice and being sick up till now. I still have a little cough

left, but I am much better. I had to cancel my November 8, Remicade appt.

Yesterday, Monday, the 20th, was 9 weeks since my last treatment, and the

pain isn't too bad. I am impressed. My nurse told me to call when I am better

to reschedule. I also stopped my Arava during this to let my immune system

fight this off. Normally, when I get this, which is once a year, I am sicker

longer than I was this time. I know that has to do with putting a halt on the

Arava as well.

So, what did I do for 2 weeks? I laid out in the living room and watched

digital cable. Movie after movie, etc. And slept. I didn't do anything I

didn't have to do. I just wanted to get well fast as possible. I did the

dishes once so I had clean stuff to make food with to keep my strength up.

Otherwise, Ryder brought me food or made my meals. =) While laid up, I tried

to do a little poetry writing. Not much luck. I think I am in a small block.

It happens occasionally. I sure had fun sleeping all day!

Sunday was my 32nd birthday. Ryder got me the scanner I have wanted forever!

As soon as I am caught up on some stuff around here, I will be scanning

everything in sight! I plan to take the instructions to bed with me tonight

to learn what I can. My Mom came over and spent the whole day with me

Saturday and we celebrated my birthday. We made dinner together and watched

" Mickey Blue Eyes, " and " Notting Hill. " It was Hugh Grant day on cable! I

also got a great massage! From Mom and Bob I got a 4 drawer filing cabinet,

new pots & pans!, 2 photo albums!, oh oh, and silverware, and Mom got me this

very precious adorable crystal clear sleeping kitty candle holder. She is a

little beauty I will use for our special candle days. =)

LOL. You know what I did tonight?! I scanned my right hand. I was going to

try and see how well it turned out and put it up on a web sight to show you

all how crippled it is. It scanned pretty well, so I will look at it again

later, and do a couple more scans. I still need to figure the scanner out a

bit.

Night Night.

~Rainy Sue

In a message dated 11/19/00 7:31:41 AM Pacific Standard Time,

Matsumura_Clan@... writes:

> The best of luck to you tomorrow, !

>

> Rainy Sue is one of our most vocal members, and she has had much success

> with Remicade. I haven't seen a post from her for several days now (which

is

> fairly unusual for her - I hope she's OK), but I'm sure she will be happy

to

> tell you what her experience has been.

>

> Sorry that you are having such a rough time right now. I hope that the

whole

> process goes very smoothly and that you feel noticeable positive results

> very, very soon.

>

>