Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune inflammatory disease. The immune system, for whatever reason, attacks healthy joints and connective tissue ~ which can also include the heart, lungs and eyes. Unlike osteoarthritis, wear and tear of the joints due to injury and/or age, RA affects otherwise healthy joints and tissues in those as young as two years. Currently there are medications that can somewhat slow the progression of the disease, but there is no cure. Hopefully some day soon...
@sarasdadandmom@girlie@Isisweiss @stephsharif
Thanks for the comments, Terry, Robin, Isis and Stephanie...RA is a relentless and misunderstood disease. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to promote awareness.
@Robin ~ It is. I figured yours would be much the same. It surprises me that we can hold a camera. :) Did you know that the French Impressionist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir had severe RA?
Fabulous shot - it has cursed numerous generations of our family including my grandmother who died very prematurely due to the toxic treatments used in the sixties. Fortunately I don't have a predisposing HLA phenotype so I hope we've bred it out! I worked in a lab for a while that was tackling autoimmune diseases and some of my ex-colleagues work on early interventions - 'unarthritic' fingers crossed for rapid improvements in treatment. This shot says a huge amount about RA - well done Peggy!!!!
This photo really caught my eye and when I read your narrative, I was moved by it. And then when I read the comments, I was even more moved that this is your hand. I know little to nothing about RA, but your picture tells me a lot. As someone who is married to a man with a chronic disease (Type I diabetes) I know there are struggles you must quietly face on a daily basis and I pray for a cure for you sooner, rather than later. (And your daughter’s comment made my eyes well up.)
Such a touching photo Peggy, and Molly's comment really tugged at my heart strings. I am so impressed that you are able to do all of the things that you do with such swollen joints. It shows what a strong person you are. I agree, this would be a great PSA photo.
What a perfect photo to heighten awarness for yet another disease that needs more research to bring about a cure. I hope for your sake and the many others who suffer from this debilitating disease that a cure will be found in the very near future.
Very touching Peggy. You are an inspiration to me and I'm sure to many others. I am almost all caught up with my photos. I hope I don't get this far behind again.
I did not know this was your hand until Lisa told me. My wife has this and it is no fun. She tries to control it my diet and some medicines, and water aerobics for RA sufferers. but you know how that works. I found that you are 2 hours away from where my daughter teaches and lives in Red Springs, North Carolina. We are headed that way the first of June. We will connect for lunch if you are up to it. Take care.
Hi Peggy If it is ok I would like to ask you a couple of questions concerning the meds you take for your RA. Could you email me at dprokosh@rsb.qc.ca Thanks Dora
@dora Please feel free to email me with any questions you have regarding RA meds or any other aspects of the disease. My email address is psirk1512@gmail.com.
I did another 365 post regarding RA on Feb 2, 2013. I tried to cut and paste the link but for some reason it wouldn't come through.
August 14th, 2013
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Thanks for the comments, Terry, Robin, Isis and Stephanie...RA is a relentless and misunderstood disease. I couldn't pass up the opportunity to promote awareness.
@Terry ~ I can empathize with your sweet wife. :)
@Robin ~ It is. I figured yours would be much the same. It surprises me that we can hold a camera. :) Did you know that the French Impressionist, Pierre-Auguste Renoir had severe RA?
@Isis ~ Mine...unfortunately. :)
I did another 365 post regarding RA on Feb 2, 2013. I tried to cut and paste the link but for some reason it wouldn't come through.