After the long dark night

I saw an excellent rheumatologist today, and I feel a lot better.  There is some reason to think that due to the acuity of my symptoms, they may be related to an infection rather than to a chronic condition, and even if they are related to the chronic condition, I am starting off in a good place.  Treatments for RA and other join conditions nowadays are apparently a lot better than they were 30 years ago, and there’s a decent chance of knocking it straight into remission.

So I don’t yet know what’s wrong, but the doctor did give me a steroid for the inflammation, and it’s amazing: I can put my ring back on, and I my hands and feet feel quite a bit better.  Even though I still have the uncertainty and possibly unpleasant long-term diagnosis, I really got the impression that she is a highly competent and thoughtful physician, and that makes a huge difference.  Not suffering in the meantime helps too – but it feels like a cloud has lifted, and that I can re-engage my naturally upbeat personality.

 

Additionally, the kind words and thoughts have meant a lot to both of us – it is a blessing to be numbered among friends like y’all.