Icicles and Flare-Ups..

Well its winter time and with the winter comes the cold temperatures, snow, and icicles. Welcome old Man Winter ;-). However cold temps can bring more than just a snowstorm when u have an illness such as Rheumatoid Arthritis, it can bring aches, pains, inflamed joints and full on flare ups. And unfortunately, life doesn’t stop for our pain, there are still demands from our work, family and friends. And although we want to rest inside snuggled in our fuzzy slippers and warm quilts, we always make an effort to do as much as possible with our restrictions. I still wonder why I push so hard through the pain, but I already know why. I feel G-U-I-L-T-Y!! G-U-I-L-T-Y!! G-U-I-L-T-Y!! I never want to miss appointments and feel as if I disappoint people when I can’t meet my commitments. But I am growing in learning that people who really care about me will understand, and I just can’t do much about those who don’t, except educate them on my illness as much as possible. Now, don’t get me wrong, when I am on full on flare-up, I shut everything and everyone down and won’t think twice about it (well maybe not twice..lol). But, for my better days of pain I will alter instead of cancel.

 

Here a few tips that I and a few of my friends have found to work well:

 

1. Lunch with the Girls. Instead of heading to your favorite lunch spot, invite your fabulous friends over for lunch at your house and order delivery take-out. This allows you to stay inside, stay in your fuzzy slippers all while keeping up with the latest gossip and everything else you love to share with your girls.
2. Work! Work! Work! For the most part, we all own a computer and have internet access. Or we have employers that appreciate their employees enough to provide them with a laptop. If this is your case, telecommute is the word to learn and invest in honey. With technology such as phones, virtual meetings, dial-in systems and video chats, we can stay in touch from around the world. Ladies, take advantage and use technology to your advantage. Why? Because this allows you to complete your work assignments, stay in contact with your co-workers and clients while residing in the comfort of your own warm home. And don’t forget, lunchtime can equal a much-needed naptime, just don’t oversleep and miss your call-in meeting. Or it may be your last telecommute day.
3. Family meals, kid-drop offs etc. Listen, I know us strong women want to do it all, with no help. But lets face it, when you have a chronic illness, sometimes you do need help and there is nothing wrong or shameful about asking for help. Enroll your parents, siblings, husband and good girlfriends to pitch in on helping out with dinner, running errands, picking kids up from school and just helping in general. Remember your friends and family love you and probably offer their support all the time and we always reply “Thanks, but I am ok”, well during a flare-up it is the time to say “Thanks, and this is what I need”. They will still love you and things will get done, just remember to return the favor when you are feeling well enough to do so. This helps to alleviate that Guilty feeling we feel when we let others do for us.  (Info on Home Health Care Coming Soon!)
4. Personal Business. If its not necessary and can be postponed, Post Pone It! And get some rest so you can come back Refreshed and don’t forget Fabulous!