RA in the Time of Corona

I know I haven’t posted anything about the current Coronavirus/COVID-19 pandemic, but I suppose it’s because I’ve been trying hard to control my anxiety, which seems to always be at some level of “panicky” these days. Being a high-risk and immunocompromised person right now is making my “normal” anxiety and neuroses 100 times worse. So, basically I’ve just been trying to distract myself with different things: books, TV, movies, cleaning, laundry, junk food, social media, dumb Internet stuff. It’s not working that great, honestly.

The Wrist

UPDATE:

I got a very painful cortisone injection in my right wrist this morning when I met with the hand specialist/surgeon for the first time. She also recommended that I have surgery–a partial joint fusion. YIKES.

I don’t want surgery. But I also don’t want this debilitating level of pain anymore.

So, I’m supposed to see if the cortisone helps at all (it can take a week to start working!) and then see the doctor again in six weeks. I’m wondering if I should bother trying to get a second opinion somewhere else? Hmm.

Dream

“Nocilla Dream” by Agustín Fernández Mallo

Self-care. Self-love. Coffee and dreamtime. 

A Little Update

I haven’t posted on here since January 4th?! Apologies to my (1-3) readers out there. haha. Seriously though, I’ve been really sick for about three weeks, I think? Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain (I suspect it’s gastritis from being on an antibiotic for weeks). My tension headaches have been raging nonstop, too. And I think I’m in the middle of a bad fibromyalgia flare-up. My right wrist is also still flaring…it hurts to do anything with my hand.

Snow Falling

Edvard Munch, “Snow Falling in the Lane,” 1906

I love Edvard Munch and I love this painting. That’s all.

Let it snow.

The Glow Heart

“His body couldn’t keep up with his mind. His mind raced ahead. His body ran out of time.”

–Jeanette Winterson, Christmas Days: 12 Stories and 12 Feasts for 12 Days

Wrist-y Business

Illustration: Health Union, LLC

Just published: “Wrist-y Business”

My right wrist has been flaring up badly since the end of September. I’ve been trying to not panic, but this wrist has a long history of inflammation, pain, and damage. I’m getting it X-rayed today, actually. I suspect an MRI will follow. You can read more about my wrist “journey” in the article if you wish.

I hope everyone is doing well out there, despite the stress of the holidays!