I hit the back of my right hand against the corner of a table at work today and now my fingers and arm has pains shooting throughout. I’m going to try to sleep this off, but the pain has me a bit worried. Going to call the rheumatologist if this continues on to the weekend.
This is a video of me doing my weekly 15 second Enbrel injection this morning, captured by Hunny using my iPhone 3GS (hence the vertical orientation of the video.) It’s evidence that even after months of doing this week after week, I just can’t get used to it! I know my house is messy and my voice is annoying, but I’m putting out there anyways. As much as I hate doing these injections, the drugs are working. 15 seconds of discomfort week after week (and all the anxiety preceding it) has been worth it. So grateful to my job for medical insurance…eternally grateful.
A year ago, I kept a journal as I was trying to figure out how I was going to manage issues with my health. On June 29, 2009, I wrote a very short, but important entry:
“Today was a very significant day. I finally had my appointment with the rheumatologist. I came in very hopeful that I have at last been paired with the right doctor to give me a diagnosis. I left with a diagnosis and was rather satisfied with the level of care that I had received…
Bottom line: I have been diagnosed with psoriatic arthritis.”
I know I probably will never be cured, but I am happy that I’ve been able to manage the symptoms this past year, thanks to the miracle of drugs and the resolve that I can get better and live normally even if I deal with “having” this for the rest of my life.
I celebrated today by taking a jog and basking in some endorphins. Yay for working joints…!
By the hair of my chinny chin chin, I finally hit Nike+ Level Blue, which means I have accumulated 1000 kilometers (or 621 miles) since starting on Nike+ back in March 2009. I had set a goal for myself to do this by the end of May but unfortunately, that didn’t happen. I did run the distance but on my last run when I supposed to have hit Level Blue, my iPod Nano (ironically called “Little Bloo”) decided to freeze and when I had to hard reset it, I lost the run. I was a grrr-bag, to put it mildly. Oh well, better late than never.
So, what’s next? Well, the next level is Purple which is 931 miles away. Needless to say, I’m not shooting for that anytime soon as that is just too far to reach. Who knows though? I had said the same thing about Level Blue and here I am; I have to say that it’s a miracle that I made it this far. On the other hand, I may have to consider giving my joints a rest from running because of my arthritis, but the strange thing is that I’m enjoying running more due to my weight training. By improving my flexibility and strength in my back and arms, I feel it really makes running bearable and enjoyable in addition to giving me the endorphin afterglow.
Never say never, I guess. Here’s to the next goal…however long that may take!
Yesterday on my day off, I had an orientation at the YMCA in Kaimuki to learn how to use their strength building machines. The orientation was very thorough as the trainer went over the dos and more importantly, the “do not dos” of using the equipment. It also gave me a clearer idea of what to strive for as far as my flexibility goes. As I had mentioned earlier, my flexibility totally sucks and now I’m looking to set measurable goals to get more flexible and to become stronger, especially now since my arthritis pain has subsided, for the most part.
What is going to make this more fun is that Hunny has joined the YMCA for the summer, too! I hope we get our goals accomplished by the end of the summer!
I know there’s a long entry I could write with this picture attached, but all I am going to say is that I ran more when my arthritis pain in my hand was hardly bearable. Since being on Enbrel, the pain has subsided and now the the endorphins aren’t as good a reward as it was before.
Well, in the spirit of mixing things up, I joined the YMCA so that I can take up swimming and give my joints a little break while still getting exercise. I hope it works out for me.
A year ago, I took this picture of my right hand not having any idea what was causing it to hurt and swell the way it did. Only a month and a half later did I get my answer with a diagnosis of psoriatic arthritis.
I definitely feel blessed that with treatment, my hand is feeling worlds better. I just have to remember not to take it for granted.
So glad that you have received the treatment you have needed. You are a joy to be around everyday!
On Monday, I had a follow up visit with my rheumatologist. I was so ready to gush about how much better I was feeling with my new meds and how I thought my health was on the up. Instead of being encouraged my progress, I ended up being discouraged by my doctor’s disappointment that I couldn’t do a toe touch when he asked me to do one. I know my flexibility sucks, but I figured my recent muscle gain and fat loss was worthy enough to celebrate. So anyway, long story short, the doctor told me that I need to get more exercise. He wasn’t too specific to my disappointment, but I’m guessing I need to do more exercise for flexibility.
So of course, when I think flexibility exercises, I think of yoga. I’ve never done yoga though I had considered taking it when I was going to college. I thought I’d never be good at taking direction as aerobics was hard enough to do! I was gifted a Wii Fit about a year and a half ago, and that was probably the extent of my yoga instruction. I guess it was fun but it was just one of those ideas that couldn’t stick. I figure as long as I don’t get muscle cramps, there is no need for me to be flexible.
Well, I figure it’s something I can try again. I’ll start with the Wii Fit until I can find a better plan that I can stick to.
Let’s start with what is wrong with the photo: my engagement ring is on the wrong hand. Yeah, yeah…but I want to elaborate about is what is awesome about this picture. What’s remarkable is that after having the ring for over 6 months and having it loose around my left ring finger, it has not fit my right ring finger until today. This is truly a sign that the arthritis pain that normally swells my fingers in my right hand is subsiding with treatment. I know I have been mentioning how much better I have been feeling, but this really gives me reason to celebrate.
Incidentally, I have to get the ring resized. It was fairly loose on my non-arthritic finger since I got it but my fingers have gotten a little more slender since then. Now I am afraid that it is going to fall off my hand one of these days. I know ideally I should send it to where Hunny got it, but I couldn’t dare have it leave the island through some delivery service. If anyone can suggest someone on the island I can entrust such a big task to, that would be greatly appreciated.
Again…what a happy day!
Pat is discussing.
Brandon Kawamura 9:16 pm on 2010/05/25 Permalink
Awesome! Gambatte ne! Love that Ken is doing it too
. You two are an inspiration.