Category Archives: Rheumatoid Arthritis

Nov 19 2012
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Around the House/DIY, Guilty Pleasures, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 56: Ikea

Guilty Pleasure Monday today = a trip to Ikea! While I know this is the furthest thing from a pleasure for many people, I love it. I like strolling through the entire store from start to finish, looking at all the furniture and decor, deciding if I think I can cover picture frames with the fabric from a bedspread or if it makes sense that a regular human can put all these items together using nothing but a crank, all while eating a cinnamon roll. It’s the best.

When I shop alone, I inevitably take forever, like roam through sections totally aimlessly and make decisions at a glacial pace forever. Today was no different. I took my time and thought about things, rather than making rash decisions or purchases. I sat down several times to keep my feet well rested and came to the conclusion that while I could use a bedspread to cover picture frames, I might find a better deal on fabric at a place like JoAnn’s. I did, however, decide that I need a shoe rack to contain the mess that is my husband’s shoes and two side tables that Young House Love assures me I can make in to a headboard. (It’s one project that is in the book and not on the website).

Ikea makes it pretty easy to get items in to a car, but I’m waiting for the hubs to get home to bring those items up to our place. The headboard may end up with its own separate post. Wish me happy building!

Nov 18 2012
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Chicago Specific Fun, Food/Drink Fun, Friends and Family, Fun for Couples, Games, Nightlife, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 54: FunDay

Some days are just great, and on those days I have a hard time picking one thing as THE fun thing I did that day. Here’s what my Saturday looked like yesterday (and why I did not post anything until now):

10am-DIY Trunk Show with husband and friend from work.
12pm-begin a quiet afternoon at work filled with mad libs and online holiday shopping.
6pm-dinner reservations at a downtown restaurant.
8pm-tickets to Potted Potter at the Broadway Playhouse.
10pm-game night with best friends.

So you can see why it would be hard to choose. I feel lucky to have had such a great day wherein nothing about my arthritis stopped me from doing what I wanted and having the best time.

Nov 14 2012
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Guilty Pleasures, Pamper/Beautify, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 51: Solution = Manicure

Since this week’s Guilty Pleasure Monday was taken over by my work party, I took a guilty pleasure moment today and got a manicure. It was a spur of the moment decision made after getting out of work early. I visited a salon/spa near my home for the first time and got a pretty affordable manicure with hand massage.

Really I love manicures because of the hand massage. Ok that’s not totally true, but it is a big reason. It just feels so good to have someone massage my hands. As long as they sort of know what they are doing and they aren’t too rough, I love it. I also love having someone else cut and shape my nails. I hate trying to cut my own finger nails. Its one of those mundane tasks that can just get me totally flustered and upset. Squeezing anything, but especially those tiny nail clippers, is difficult for me, so I would rather just have a professional do it. It’s not a big price to pay for less unnecessary difficulties and cuter hands and nails.

Side note: The more I write this blog, the more I’m cognizant of mundane or every-day activities/tasks that I alter, or in many cases have been altering for many years, to accommodate my arthritis. For the most part, I have been able to spin those in to something fun (hard to clip nails=get a manicure, nervous about walking long distances/alone/with a normal gait=take the dog to keep mind off of all that, etc) and I hope to continue to do that each day. Just being aware of these things helps me see how this disease affects my every day and that allows me to come up with better solutions (and more fun things) as opposed to just “dealing with it” or settling. And that feels pretty great.

Nov 12 2012
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Food/Drink Fun, Friends and Family, Rheumatoid Arthritis

Day 49: Fall is…

Today, I hosted a Fall party for my coworkers to celebrate the end of the run of our most recent show (plus the two others than ran simultaneously but closed earlier). The theme came from wanting to spend time outside, specifically on my roof, in sweaters and scarves on a crisp Fall day and enjoy hot beverages and pumpkin treats.

Well, today was thirty degrees and windy in Chicago (and I hear there might be flurries in the air right now) so we only went to the roof for enough time to have a toast and take a few pictures. But we still enjoyed many delicious food items (pumpkin bars, pumpkin pie, roasted nuts, nutter butter acorns, and buffalo chicken dip) and warm beverages (mulled wine, pumpkin hot white chocolate, mulled wine, and also more mulled wine). Instead of outside, we cozied up in the living room playing games, asking 90’s trivial pursuit questions, and generally laughing a lot.

As I’ve mentioned before, I love planning and hosting but I do often worry about how effectively I will be able to manage everything during the actual event.  I was on my feet most of the morning cooking and cleaning and I anticipated being up and about even more during the party, greeting people, getting drinks, cleaning up, etc. But I found that I was able to manage just fine due to three key elements. 1. I wore thick soled house slippers. I pretty much always wear these at home because they are warm and keep me from walking around in socks or bare feet that put more pressure on my joints. 2. I sat as much as possible but didn’t let myself sit for too long. One key to maintaining my joints and energy is to know when to sit and when to get up. There is a happy medium that prevents me from getting too sore or too stiff that, when I listen to it, works really well. 3. My husband did a lot too! He was home today so was able to help out, which is always a relief. However, in the past, I probably would have left him to do everything with the excuse that it is too difficult for me. I’m glad that is no longer the case!

This little gathering was a great way to unwind at the end of a particularly busy period at work. (We also got to discuss the upcoming secret santa that was met with much enthusiasm). And it left me feeling not only warm, cozy and full but also physically able. Ok and sleepy. Very sleepy. 

Nov 08 2012
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Fitness, Fun at Work, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Solitary Fun

Day 45: Stairway to Work

Some challenges to my mobility I avoid and others I meet head on. One I have been avoiding for months is the staircase leading up to the theatre where I work. It is a double wide, double long set of stairs that goes from the main level of the pier up to the theatre. Most people use this every day to get to work or to get lunch.

I have had huge problems with stairs since my knees have been inflamed and, since I have to take them in my apartment building, I avoid them everywhere else. When I do have to take stairs I usually take them one at a time putting all the pressure on my right leg and none on the left, so the left one is really weak from lack of use.

For the most part, I try to park on the same level as the theater itself so I can just waltz by these stairs and maybe shoot them a nasty look. If I have to go down to the main pier level, I take the elevators and usually think about the mechanics of having elevators on a structure built over the water. Hmm.

Today, however, I parked on the main level (because I wanted some Jamba Juice) and started toward the elevators, but something stopped me. Recently, my knees have been much better so I decided to make an attempt. It might not have looked pretty but, using the railing for support, I took those steps the regular way, one foot in front of the other. I feel so good now, like I accomplished something. And also relieved that I won’t have to take that sketchy elevator anymore. I wish I had a picture to show of me celebrating like Rocky at the top of the steps.

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