My name is Mariah.
I have RA.
It doesn't have me.
In the Spring of 2008, I was 25 years old and an extremely busy dual degree graduate student, simultaneously pursuing a law degree and a masters in environmental policy. I was a member of the law journal. I worked as newsletter editor and events planner for an environmental research center. I was the only graduate student on the University's club water polo team.
I have RA.
It doesn't have me.
In the Spring of 2008, I was 25 years old and an extremely busy dual degree graduate student, simultaneously pursuing a law degree and a masters in environmental policy. I was a member of the law journal. I worked as newsletter editor and events planner for an environmental research center. I was the only graduate student on the University's club water polo team.
Then my left toes started hurting. I got x-rays and saw a podiatrist, but she wasn't able to help me. I settled for taking some Aleve and ignoring the pain. I figured it would go away.
Near the end of the semester, I realized I was overly exhausted and it was limiting my ability to study. The doctor did some bloodwork and found that I was severely anemic. That was what was causing the exhaustion, they told me. Take these iron supplements and you'll be fine. So I did.
In May, my fingers and hands started hurting. But law school exams were coming up and I was spending hours upon hours in front of my computer every day. I assumed the pain was from too much typing. I took some Advil and went back to the library.
After exams, I traveled to Portland for my little sister's college graduation. I found that traveling really exhausted me. I assumed I was just tired from finals and from being anemic. I thought I'd feel better soon.
But I didn't feel better. On a camping trip with friends I settled for laying on a blanket in the shade instead of hiking. On a canoe trip with my family I really struggled to keep up. I never had trouble being active before. It felt weird.
By June I realized I wasn't getting better - I was getting worse. My toes still hurt. My hands still hurt. I was exhausted no matter how much I slept.
Then my knees swelled up to the size of grapefruits. They hurt so much it was difficult for me to walk.
With all the symptoms adding up, the doctors ran a lot of tests on me and I was given my diagnosis: rheumatoid arthritis.
I started writing this blog in September 2008. To deal with RA, I decided in my very first post that I would have to start by taking my life one day at a time. Since then, this blog has been a very honest record of trying to adjust to life with RA by always trying to look forward.
If you're new to this blog, a good place to start is my yearly overviews: Year 1; Year 2; Year 3; & Year 4.
From This Point. Forward.
