God bless us all. This disease reminds us that we take it n one day at a time.

Good morning Doc I too was very independent and self assured, confident, didn't need any help or anyone to do for me. I was a women with opinions,ideas,I have seen older adult act like 5 year olds making fun of people like me and other's. The rules thing was siad that we should have an island 🏝 just for us. There taxes are paying for our medication, Dr.s, food, ER visits, hospital stays. That's not true everyone who worked payed in so they can use it if they have too I did. I worked 40+ years. I remember when we are in a big recession and family's had to use food stamps for the very first time. When I worked for Albertsons I would say don't cry 😢 we all need a helping hand once in awhile
But I worked for 20 years and I thought I would never be in that situation. That's why you get it your taxes was put to be there for you if you ever needed it. I too cried when I was told you have to quit your job and go on permanent disability. That's what my Dr told me in California so I did and got SSD this was in 2016. I had never used food stamps, medical help from the state, I wanted to work until I was 75. It was just me at the house my son was all growed up and living in Portland Oregon. So now I moved away from California and came to Albuquerque New Mexico.
Since then I have been struggling with my Depression, Rumotoid Arthritis, Ostio Arthritis, Fibromialgia, Dieabeties, Ostioprosis, Degenerative Spinal Diease, Eonsinphil
Asthma, and that's just part of it. I fall alot the worst one was in April 2023 when I was gardening my left leg gave out and I was out side getting the garden ready for spring planting flowers 💐 for the Bees 🐝 and Butterflys 🦋 and Hummingbird. I screamed 😱 but my roommate did not hear me. I crawled at least 6 to 8 feet to the back of the door. My roommate siad what are you doing, I broke my ankel she siad are you sure maybe you just spranged it. Nope I broke it, please call 911
She couldn't take me, she's 78 year's old and there was no way she could pick me up. It was 6 months befor I could drive my car 🚗 now that's pain. I had to rely on people to help me, sponge 🧽 bath 🛁, dressing, combing my hair. It was hand and foot my roommate and a friend helped me for 6 month's. Then the Dr siad I can no long live on my own. Now that was hard to hear. WOW
I already siad to much sorry.
Better let you sleep 😴 🛌
GOD BLESS

Good evening I know it's late but I had to text this before I forget it...😆 🤣 😂
I finally got a new Rumotolgist closer to home 🏡 she stayed with me for 45 minutes wow
I was very impressed by her. She asked me to have blood drawn and X-rays. She's very thorough and she actually takes a crayon out and shows me my problems with medication and will see what medication will work longer and more affected.
I still don't have anything for pain, I do take muscle relaxers, my Depression medication, Dieabeties, acid reflux, prednisone 10mg. I keep myself busy so I won't have to think about it. I just want to stay in bed and sleep 😴 as it is I only sleep 3 to 4 hours a night. It's almost 11pm I should let you rest. Have a good night 😴 🥱 🌃 🌙
GOD BLESS

Teresa R, that's great advice. Thank you for sharing. These chronic things that we have can drag us into a hole.
Pain and stiffness makes me want to stay on the couch or lounge in bed but my dogs don't allow it for too long. They know that weakens us further and activity is good for our physical and mental health. They make me smile, laugh and are great friends. Pets are a good obsession, as is gardening, painting, hand building in clay, joining a water class or yoga or tai chi. Line dancing is also a very good form of exercise that improves body strength and mental acuity. I couldn't believe all the muscles involved and great cardio though I didn't move fast or have to make large movements. Walkporosity. daily (mostly) is how I improved my osteo porosis. And I met a lot of nice ppl too.

I went to a therapist to help me be a stronger parent to my son who got involved with drugs. The frustration, pain and helplessness were making me ill. I also attended group meetings with other parents enduring exactly the same thing. Group helped me to cope and put things into perspective and better know how to deal with the situation and help him instead of enable him.

But yes, a therapist is wise, and anyone and everyone can benefit for confidence, misery from coping with chronic health issues, self-esteem, organizing our priorities, social anxiety, Loss, family issues, etc. Councilors aren't there to judge or condemn and it's all private.

I greatly respect the field of psychology and mental health.

Dear Teresa, thanks for sharing. Poignant. It's good that others have easy lives and don't have to fight and struggle just to get by. The Bible points out that ignorance is no excuse. But we rise higher as we forgive others bc... they have no clue. We all came from dirt and to dirt we return.

Yep, taxes are for many things, Hwys, bridges, parks, forests, water ways, reservoirs, coastal needs, disasters, education and resources, vaccines, funding research, building projects, housing, national security, investigative functions, health, medical and welfare of our citizens and even alien asylum, etc. So many govt agencies and don't forget paychecks for leadership..

Bullying and belittling has always been around. America is probably at the top of the list, along with a couple other countries. I see we are getting better than it has been just 20 years ago. It will take time for in-bred attitudes to be re-educated. Just love them anyway, like God wants us to do.

These afflictions we have... today is being mean to me. Especially hands, feet and hips. I'm gonna turn over some dirt and try to yank some weeds to put in some tomatoes. And herbs. I don't care that ppl say certain foods cause flares. Breathing causes me to flare. I held my breath, long as I could, and I didn't feel any better.