The things I was once able to do

Get up and walk across the room like a 36 year old.  (Now it’s like I’m 96)

Brush my teeth without pain in my hands.  (now my hands are so stiff, my fingers hardly go around the toothbrush)

Put my makeup on.  (now my hands fall asleep while holding the mascara)

Blow dry my hair.  (now my hands and arms get so tired before I am done, I have to take a break)

All of the above with no problems at all.  (now I low back, hips, legs and feet are in excruciating pain within 10 minutes of standing in the bathroom)

Cook dinner.  (same as above, the lower half of my body just doesn’t allow for standing long periods of time on the kitchen floor)

Open jars. (I cannot grip them hard enough, because of my fingers to open them)

Write with a pen or pencil.  (now I have to type everything, because my hands hurt so bad, sometimes it’s even hard to do that)

Ride in a car.  (now if I sit for too long, my legs hurt so bad, sometimes we have to pull over and let me get out and stretch for a minute)

Drive a car.  (now because of the narcotics, I have a hard time staying awake, so sleepy!!!)

Work at any job outside my home. (there is no way, physically I can go to work for someone else, they would fire me for calling in too much)

Run and play with my children. (now I get too tired, too easily and the pain is just too much)

Talk on the phone for longer than 5 minutes. (just holding the phone makes my hand fall asleep, I have to switch hands often)

Put my necklaces on, wear my rings, button my clothes, or tie my shoes.  (All of these things are very difficult for me because my hands just don’t work the way they use to, due to swelling and stiffness)

Go to parties, or go out with my friends. (the pain of riding in the car to get there, the fatigue after only a little while, the pain of standing or sitting around too long, it all effects my social life tremendously)

Remember things, and concentrate. (because of the medicines I am on, I have a hard time remembering things, and my concentration is out the window)

Praying.  (because of the concentration, or lack of, I have a hard time praying, thank God He knows my heart)

Being in a crowded/loud room. (because of the meds., constant or loud noise, drives me crazy, I get the shakes and get really ill)

Hold a new baby.  (even though they are small, they are too heavy for my shoulders to hold.  My shoulders get tired so quickly and hurt so bad)

I’m sure there are many more things, that I just cannot think of right now.  These things and more, I’m sure you have experienced.  I do know that once my surgeries are over and I am back on my RA meds., things will be better, like they were before, but until then, I am grieving the loss of the function of my own body.

May you all be blessed with mobility and a pain free day,

Kim