Welcome Vickie and

[Guest guest]

Welcome Vickie and ,

It sounds like you both have been through a lot and we are just glad you have

joined our group/family. I know the acceptance of the disease is probably the

hardest part. I was 19 at onset and very active. I just could not fathom a life

without activity but it didn't turn out to be the case in the long run. It did

take a few years to gradually do more physical things and I was never able to

return to all that I was able to before Still's but my life has been fulfilled

and acceptance did come.

I found satisfaction and purpose in other areas by helping others, crafts, my

artwork, music, camping, hiking, etc. I worked short periods when I could but

rested in between and raised my daughter and step sons otherwise. I've had many

yeas of remission but find I'm flaring again also. It's due to stressors of the

last three years and I'm trying to overcome the situation in hopes it will

settle down. Sometimes we can take control and sometimes we are powerless over

our lives.

My advise is to rest, rest, rest when you can and are your sickest. It lets the

body think you don't have anything wrong and it doesn't have to fight itself.

So, learn to pamper yourself wherever you can with soft snuggly things, soothing

sounds or happy moments with something good to drink and heat and ice when

approprate. Physical and psychological therapy also saved my life over the years

and sharing with your doctors the emotional strains as well and the physical

because they are all related with this disease.

I hope any of this helps you ladies or others.

Once again welcome and we look forward to knowing you better.

Smiles,