My Supports

There are so many supports and different types of supports it is hard to think of them all and narrow down just a few of the important ones.  The biggest support I have is my family!  My mother, father and sister are always there for me and help me in all of my endeavors, even if they aren't usually the best and they can see that from the start.  I also receive a ton of support from my cat Lovey - Yeah, I am the single cat lady!  But, her and I are two peas in a pod.  She lets me cry and whine to her all the time and she always knows when I need a little extra love and attention and without her there are some days that would just be to difficult to deal with.

Additionally I have support from friends and co-workers.  Currently, I have an amazing boss whom I admire and look up to as a role model.  She encourages me to act on my own, provides support and constructive feedback and always challenges me to learn more about my job and more about myself so that I am always growing!  The job that we have is quite difficult at times and without good support would almost be to much to take on alone!

The challenge I chose to imagine really isn't imaginary but is very real to me and something I must think about (imagine) and prepare for quite frequently.  I have very recently been diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis!  The pain and sickness that I felt just trying to find a diagnosis was overwhelming and now I have just started to learn to deal with this disease and all of the ramifications that come with it.  Factors that are and will be supportive to me are knowledge, medical teams, preparation, assistant devices, and supportive of family and friends.  I currently have a great doctor who is well known in our community and fully experienced with RA he is, and will continue to be, a great support in identifying my individual RA needs, my medication will always need to be adjusted slightly especially because there is no cure.  Therefore, his knowledge of medication and resources (including ways to help pay for these very expensive medications) are extremely beneficial and a support I will most definitely continue to need.

I also need to be knowledgeable and prepared for understanding RA.  Because my diagnosis is new I am soaking up all the resources about RA that I can get my hands onto!  There is no cure for RA and treatments, suggestions, diets, exercise are all very (often) individual so it is also important that I prepare myself for the disease and its impact on me.  Supports in this manner include daily journaling about food, weather, exercise, etc. to see what is most untactful.  That having been said, it is also important for me not to be afraid to ask for help.

I will need the support of assistive devices.  Already, I have an amazing tool that opens all sizes of lids and jars for me, including pealing of foil seals to items that also have caps!  Without this tool, I simply cannot open some items.  I realize that later on down the road I will most likely need this and possibly more to help relieve the pain of the RA and make everyday tasks easier.  Their are a multitude of kitchen aids, body support aids and daily grooming aids to help out that may be of use to me in the future.

And of course I will always need the support of family and friends - I am no one and no where without them:)  I love my family and friends and I am unbelievably blessed to have such an amazing support group!!