Hello from across the pond!

[Guest guest]

Dear All,

Have been reading and not posting of late due to bad hands etc but

wanted to say hi again and thanks for being such a kind, caring

group. That may sound corny but during days over the last week or so

when sitting a the pc is all i could muster, it gave me comfort and a

feeling of support by just reading the messages. I can identify so

much with so many of you and my heart goes out to you for all the

suffering you endure every day. Despite this i feel that we keep our

sense of humour, cherise the good days and vent our frustration at

the bad ones. I've found it very interesting to compare the way in

which we are treated on different sides of the Atlantic, the UK has

the NHS and i am very lucky to have a good rheumy (hadn't heard a

rheumy doc get called that before! Much better than saying and

spelling the whole thing!! Thank you!)doctor and consultant but

although our healthcare is free (we pay through national

contributions when we work, tax basically) not very many people in my

area in Cornwall (South-West England) were allowed Remicade or Enbrel

because of a funding crisis (they say it's costs £10K per year each)

which is crazy in this day and age. Is it the same in the US with

insurance companies paying depending on what they cover? Nobody

should have to suffer because some big-wig in a suit decides it's not

covered, maybe they would like to spend a week in a flare-up....no i

doubt it either. I've been reading the posts about insurance issues

and wonder how some of you don't go out of your minds with worry.

Also read posts about the British tv programme " Keeping Up

Appearances " ! They still show it here too and although i've probably

seen them all i just love that show......and yes there really are

ladies like that here!!

Had my first treatment of chemotherapy for lymphoma last Thursday and

doc's gave me 5 days of steroids at 75mg per day, along with the

Rituximab, Chyclophosphamide (could well have too many letters there,

not sure!!) and Vincristin. It was ok and side-effects managable

too. The steroids have knocked the RA out for a minute and i am

relishing the energy and pain-free days! Took my puppy Ky for a good

long walk (well long for me, round the whole field!!)in the winter

sunshine this morning, something i've missed doing of late, and felt

really positive for the first time since i was diagniosed just before

Christmas. Maybe the steroids but decided that life is for living

now, somethings i do may not be good for my RA (like ice-skating with

my daughter for her birthday recently, half killed me but boy was it

fun!!) but are good for my soul and well-being. We're all so much

more than just our diseases, that obvious when you read the messages

here and i'm glad i have found a place to come and write what i feel

amongst friends who understand. Thank you again.

Best go to bed now, it's 1 in the morning over here and i just came

down for a read and hot chocolate!!