Re: Thankful for All of You

February 21, 2005

Terry,

I'm 48 years old also! I live in the Dallas area and I am so glad you

are part of our family! What keeps me going: Jesus, family, church

family, sense of humor, and this group. I hope that we are a source

of comfort, friendship, and joy for you. You are so welcome to our

group.

God bless.

jane

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> My name is Terry, and I have had RA for 24 years since the age of 24

> (guess you know how old I am now <g>). For years I have resisted

> joining a group like this because I did not want to be part of a

group

> of whining people who saw themselves as victims and used RA as an

excuse

> for not putting their best foot forward.

>

> My disease has progressed to the point that I use a wheelchair

daily and

> am now having to go on part-time disability at work. My doc took

me off

> all meds but 5mg Prednisone daily a couple of months ago and the

pain

> has been horrendous!

>

> In desperation last week, I joined this group. My goal was to find

out

> if the progression of my disease is normal. My main coping

mechanism has

> been denial - and at this point, that is wearing thin.

>

> How I wish I had joined years ago! You are all so inspirational and

> upbeat. The information provided here is excellent and well

balanced

> with compassion and prayer.

>

> Everyone's response to Tess's prayer request and encouragement to

her is

> heartwarming. (yes, Tess, I am also praying for you and am certain

that

> the Lord has something special in mind for you. Just keep trusting

Him,

> NO MATTER WHAT).

>

> Thank you for allowing me to be part of your neighborhood. I am

truly

> honored.

>

> Terry Kaul

> Arlington Hts., IL

February 21, 2005

Terry,

I'm 48 years old also! I live in the Dallas area and I am so glad you

are part of our family! What keeps me going: Jesus, family, church

family, sense of humor, and this group. I hope that we are a source

of comfort, friendship, and joy for you. You are so welcome to our

group.

God bless.

jane

>

> Hi Everyone,

>

> My name is Terry, and I have had RA for 24 years since the age of 24

> (guess you know how old I am now <g>). For years I have resisted

> joining a group like this because I did not want to be part of a

group

> of whining people who saw themselves as victims and used RA as an

excuse

> for not putting their best foot forward.

>

> My disease has progressed to the point that I use a wheelchair

daily and

> am now having to go on part-time disability at work. My doc took

me off

> all meds but 5mg Prednisone daily a couple of months ago and the

pain

> has been horrendous!

>

> In desperation last week, I joined this group. My goal was to find

out

> if the progression of my disease is normal. My main coping

mechanism has

> been denial - and at this point, that is wearing thin.

>

> How I wish I had joined years ago! You are all so inspirational and

> upbeat. The information provided here is excellent and well

balanced

> with compassion and prayer.

>

> Everyone's response to Tess's prayer request and encouragement to

her is

> heartwarming. (yes, Tess, I am also praying for you and am certain

that

> the Lord has something special in mind for you. Just keep trusting

Him,

> NO MATTER WHAT).

>

> Thank you for allowing me to be part of your neighborhood. I am

truly

> honored.

>

> Terry Kaul

> Arlington Hts., IL

February 21, 2005

oh terry... you are lucky to have joined this group, you will get so much

information and really good advise.... you have found the best place for what we

have... i am newly diagnosed and i have learned sooo much here... my doctor was

greatly surprised....;o)

rae..oh my goodness sakes alive... the sun is shining so bright!!! yippeeee...

[ ] Thankful for All of You

Hi Everyone,

My name is Terry, and I have had RA for 24 years since the age of 24

(guess you know how old I am now <g>). For years I have resisted

joining a group like this because I did not want to be part of a group

of whining people who saw themselves as victims and used RA as an excuse

for not putting their best foot forward.

My disease has progressed to the point that I use a wheelchair daily and

am now having to go on part-time disability at work. My doc took me off

all meds but 5mg Prednisone daily a couple of months ago and the pain

has been horrendous!

In desperation last week, I joined this group. My goal was to find out

if the progression of my disease is normal. My main coping mechanism has

been denial - and at this point, that is wearing thin.

How I wish I had joined years ago! You are all so inspirational and

upbeat. The information provided here is excellent and well balanced

with compassion and prayer.

Everyone's response to Tess's prayer request and encouragement to her is

heartwarming. (yes, Tess, I am also praying for you and am certain that

the Lord has something special in mind for you. Just keep trusting Him,

NO MATTER WHAT).

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your neighborhood. I am truly

honored.

Terry Kaul

Arlington Hts., IL

February 21, 2005

oh terry... you are lucky to have joined this group, you will get so much

information and really good advise.... you have found the best place for what we

have... i am newly diagnosed and i have learned sooo much here... my doctor was

greatly surprised....;o)

rae..oh my goodness sakes alive... the sun is shining so bright!!! yippeeee...

[ ] Thankful for All of You

Hi Everyone,

My name is Terry, and I have had RA for 24 years since the age of 24

(guess you know how old I am now <g>). For years I have resisted

joining a group like this because I did not want to be part of a group

of whining people who saw themselves as victims and used RA as an excuse

for not putting their best foot forward.

My disease has progressed to the point that I use a wheelchair daily and

am now having to go on part-time disability at work. My doc took me off

all meds but 5mg Prednisone daily a couple of months ago and the pain

has been horrendous!

In desperation last week, I joined this group. My goal was to find out

if the progression of my disease is normal. My main coping mechanism has

been denial - and at this point, that is wearing thin.

How I wish I had joined years ago! You are all so inspirational and

upbeat. The information provided here is excellent and well balanced

with compassion and prayer.

Everyone's response to Tess's prayer request and encouragement to her is

heartwarming. (yes, Tess, I am also praying for you and am certain that

the Lord has something special in mind for you. Just keep trusting Him,

NO MATTER WHAT).

Thank you for allowing me to be part of your neighborhood. I am truly

honored.

Terry Kaul

Arlington Hts., IL

February 21, 2005

Terry, I felt the same way as you. My denial worked pretty well

for me, well, for a while anyway. I think over time, though, that

it made things worse. When I came across this site, I thought I

would give it a try. It isn't like any of the others I had been to.

This one is filled with people who truly care for each other. It is

a TRUE support group. I have learned a lot from being here. It was

also nice to know that some of the symptoms I was having weren't

only in my head!! 24 years is a long time to go through this. I

have only been going through it for almost 3 years now, and I was

ready to throw in the towel!! I felt lifted up finding the

wonderful people in this family we have here. Welcome to the

family, Terry..........Love and Hugs...Marina in Ohio

February 21, 2005