I blame my parents for all my health issues. lol. I basically followed the same time line when my mama had her tonsils out, gall bladder out, hysterectomy and all the joints issues etc. My father had skin cancers and a stroke. Me too smh. They both died at 79. I’m 65 now. I’m going to try to change that number. Both sides of the family had/have autoimmune issues. Cousins on father side had RA. Mother’s side have lupus. My mother had uterine cancer then later had ovarian and kidney cancer twice. My father died from a heart attack instantly. My mother only was bedridden for two weeks at the end from the cancer. Both parents were intelligent, stubborn and strong willed. I definitely got those traits. My siblings have mostly the heart issues. Diabetes runs rampant in both sides. Genetics definitely plays a strong role in all this madness. It’s strange that no one wanted to talk about it until I was diagnosed and I spoke out at a family gathering. My generation on both sides have had a lot of health issues and really have not shared any info until recently. Several of my cousins have died from cancer. No one likes to talk about it. I tell them that we all need to change our eating habits, exercise and take better care of ourselves. Several different ones have quit smoking and are trying to lose weight. We communicate more. I’ve started talking to some of my mama’s older family members just checking in. Her living siblings are in their late 80s and early 90s. Maybe I can join that club that’s living longer. My RA did not get bad until I was 47. It affected my organs before all the joints issues. My feet went first then my hands. Now my hips are hurting ALOT. I don’t take pain meds except Tylenol. I have noticed that my pain is getting more aggressive. I was never one to rest in the daytime but now I rest about one hour after lunch. It’s a time that it’s actually quiet around here so I take advantage of it.
Self care is so important. I try to stress on it with my daughters and grandchildren. I think that they are actually listening to me. Be good to yourselves. It took me a long time to realize how important that it is. We have one body. Thank goodness dementia doesn’t run in my family but I have to deal with my husband who finally admitted last week but his memory has slipped. I could have told him that ten years ago. SMH.
I hope that everyone is having a great holiday. I know that everything gets chaotic between cooking, shopping and traveling but remember to give yourself some downtime. Let those family members take over some of the chores especially cleaning up. I have really down sized my cooking. Each person was assigned to bring a dish. Using disposable things. Sounds good to me. Worked out great at thanksgiving
My words of wisdom. Love all of you and pray for all of us daily.

Yes through the genes of my mom. Everything mom mob had I have inherited it

Yesterday mine is genetic from my mom, but I couldn’t get it from a better
person. I was so lucky to watch her progression . I have direct genes from
my mom

Same here. It was after I didn't know about my family until I had large wrist and fingers. Then I was told well both your gmas and cousin and aunt had RA. Wow. Bless you.