Introduction & Early Stages

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November 2005

Tuesday, November 08, 2005

This afternoon I asked myself "what's the best use of my time...to make me feel better?" This week I have the time, and there's no lack of motivation, to feel better. My back has really been bothering me, and for the first time in a long long time I realized what it's like to have a chronic painful situation.

The problem with chronic pain - and with a backache like mine - is that it's always there. It's as though I have a backpack strapped on, and I have to take it everywhere I go. It's with me in the shower, it's with me in bed, it's with me at dinner. I'm dating my backache. It's my lover.

And tomorrow morning I'm going right to the doctor who hopefully has the "jaws of life" to pry it off my back and reurn me to normal. This afternoon I chose to spend my night doing the best thing I knew to do: exercising, eating healthy, and then treating myself to a massage.

Oh, and a muscle relaxant. That helps too, but it isn't always the answer. Good thing I'm not driving, operating heavy machinery, or giving a powerpoint presentation about the benefits of the CreakyJoints A-Games to our sponsors next year. Because tonight I have one thing to do: help myself feel better.

Tuesday, November 22, 2005

This afternoon I arrived home exhausted from my trip(s) around the world(s). Last week we were out west in beautiful San Diego for the annual American College of Rheumatology meeting. There we had a chance to meet with old doctors and friends, and meet new doctors (who are, of course, now friends). CreakyJoints exhibited our programs again, and it was so nice to run into so many doctors who say their patients love the site and the programs. We are humbled every year to hear that and it makes the long exhibition hours feel like they’re flying by. We also had a chance to meet with a diverse group of doctors, representing over 20 different countries and cultures. Even though the world is divided by hundreds of cultures and languages, all of us with arthritis speak the same language of pain and pain management. Last week was the proof.

And after lots of whirlwind meetings, we jumped on a plane to the Gulf to meet with a company interested in doing educational programs in the Middle East. It was my first time there – and 14 hours was a new record for longest plane ride (although I can remember more than once being delayed for what felt like 24 hours). Our meetings were in Dubai, which I decided nearly the minute I arrived, was a lot like Disney World and Las Vegas put together. The streets were clean, the buildings were enormous, the people were friendly and the food was diverse. All that was missing were the men dressed like mice. And the gambling.

So for now I think I need to wind my body clock backwards (or is it forwards) and stare at a calendar for 45 minutes. That way when someone asks me what day it is, I can say with certainty: Tuesday.