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Oh I was in a bad mood today.  I was all excited last night because I didn’t have to take my cold medicine, I thought the worst was over.  I had forgotten what happens at the end of a cold… I started hacking this morning.  Long story short, I had a coughing fit and re-injured my shoulder, which had just healed a week or two ago.  Then the grumbling began…

When I get like that, I try to remember to start my routine.  I began thinking about the home for the disabled where I used to work. The people there, and how so many of them were incredibly limited physically - yet most of them complained less than some of the ‘normal’ people I’ve known.  I have a lot to be thankful for.  I’m spoiled rotten, really.  It took a little longer than usual, but soon I started perking up.

My Health Management Nurse

About this time I get a call from a Nurse who I’ve kind of been missing, but not really trying to catch, if you know what I mean.  She works for my health insurance company.  They have a program for people who have chronic conditions.  A nurse contacts you and asks a few questions.  They make suggestions based on what you tell them.  They have an online resource where you can get medical advice, that kind of thing.  Normally I’m pretty shy of these things… this person does work for an insurance company, and as we all know, they’re the devil.  But I’ve also been thinking, it seems like a pretty good program all around.  Yeah, the whole intent is to save the insurance company money, but it can also help the patient.  Add to that I really have nothing to hide, so I decided I’d try not to be guarded with her.

This lady was cool as hell…. We ended up talking for over an hour.

Haven’t you always wanted someone you could call and be like, ‘hey.. I got this funny bump on my big toe, lemme send you a picture’?   I seriously have that!  Um…. the nurse, not the bump.  She was fantastic lady.  We probably talked about a few subjects that weren’t included in her call schedule, so I’ll just say she’s very good at ‘building rapport’ with the client.  Towards the end of the chat, she told me I should write a novel or something, I told her I was trying to blog.  Then she called me her ‘kindred spirit’.  I enjoyed our talk, and I wouldn’t have had that if I hadn’t been open with her.  I hope her day was a little nicer too.

My errand day

I was going stir crazy a couple of weeks ago so I went with my husband to get his teeth cleaned and sat in the waiting room.  First my neighbor came in.  I haven’t had the chance to talk to her in awhile and I found out that her husband is not doing so well.  Once my cooties are gone I’m going to take her over some Christmas cookies and make sure she has our number in case she needs anything.  It was great talking to her. Then a fella came in who I recognized from his picture, I had designed something for him at work.  We talk for maybe five minutes and exchange numbers.  His wife needed some help with a camera.  I haven’t called him yet, but I think once I’m feeling better he’ll be a great local contact.  He was also very nice and outgoing, much better than some of the grouchies I’ve done freelance work for in the past.  Then this fella comes in with his two young daughters.  He has a red and green Christmas tie on, so I asked him if he was all ready for Christmas (what a cliche’ question… but it works!).  We talked for awhile, he has a cousin that lives near my hometown in Illinois.  His teenaged daughters even talked a little.

I doubt any of the people I met that day realized that the magazine in my lap was just for looks… I had no intention of reading it.  I just didn’t want to make them uncomfortable by thinking I was actually going to make them interact with me.

My dance with Mary Jane

Then we had to make a quick stop at the grocery store.  I’m sure you’ve had it happen where you’re getting out while someone is about to get in to the car next to you.  A lady had just gotten into a fancy car, her fella was my dance partner.  He was an older man, very well dressed.  He insisted I go ahead, I laughed and said, “Okay, but I might take a little longer!” He kinda hesitates - can he ask a STRANGER what’s wrong with them??  I guess I came off as being pretty friendly, so he asked and I told him.  He asks how they treat it, says I’m too young, etc. (btw even kids can get RA).  Then he says, “You know what you need?  A little medical marijuana!”  I just laugh and tell him I’ve heard some pretty good things.  That’s when I noticed he had pulled a cigarette out of his pocket.  But… it…. maybe it looked a little funny?  My husband is the people master, so he joins in and asks if that’s what that ‘cigarette’ was.  The guy laughs and says oh no no!  My husband put him at ease joking - we could jump in the back seat right now!  I notice the wife, fidgeting nervously in the passenger seat.  We thanked him for his advice and wished him a very Merry Christmas.  It was a pretty funny and unexpected encounter, we laughed about it during, and for a few days after.  That tobacco did look pretty green…

My point

A few posts ago, I talked about wanting to share some positive things about RA.  Everything online is so negative and disheartening.  That’s what all this is about.  Being forced to slow down can really change your life.  I’ve found that though I may feel like crap, I’m really enjoying the time I can spend now just talking to people.  I’m probably driving some of them nuts, but darnit, I gotta make up for lost time!