2014 was a hard year for my joints. I wasn't even sure I'd be able to do the Arthritis Walk this year. Last year, I did most of the walk in a wheelchair. My right ankle, after years and years of being a problem, finally succumbed to the joint damage and was no longer functional. I had it replaced in August. It was a long recovery, one that still ( Read more... )

As I do every year, I am participating in the Arthritis Walk, which raises money for the Arthritis Foundation. I've been very fortunate that this year I'll be doing the walk with only one bionic hip. Because of the kinds of research the Arthritis Foundation supports, I was able to get my right hip replaced in 2011. Having a functional right hip has ( Read more... )

As I do every year, I am participating in the Arthritis Walk, which raises money for the Arthritis Foundation. This year is especially meaningful to me as the first Walk I'll be doing with my new bionic right hip!
When I was a child with arthritis, going to Arthritis Camp was the highlight of my year. My camp fees were paid for by the Arthritis ( Read more... )

Reminiscing a little bit about Arthritis Camp as I gear up for this year's Arthritis Walk... And stumbled upon this bit of writing I did a few years ago, about one of my favorite memories at Arthritis Camp, and one of my all-time proudest moments:
Friday's night dinner [at Arthritis Camp my last year] came far too quickly. I was curious to see who ( Read more... )

As I do every year, I am participating in the Arthritis Walk, which raises money for the Arthritis Foundation ( Read more... )

I rocked the Arthritis Walk this year! First of all, I managed to raise $895, the most I've ever raised. So, a serious thank you to everyone who sponsored me. In past years, making it to the 1K mark was a challenge. I'd be using my walking stick for most of the distance and be in pain for almost the entire walk. This year, I did 3K in 35 minutes ( ( Read more... )

I was overly optimistic when I posted that her gums looked much better. They are, in fact, the same: no improvement after over a week of antibiotics. Her diarrhea is also pretty much the same. The next step with the diarrhea is to test her poop for a particular kind of parasite that doesn't show up in regular testing. That might explain her ( Read more... )

When I was a child with arthritis, going to Arthritis Camp was the highlight of my year. My camp fees were paid for by the Arthritis Foundation for 10 years. I'm doing the Arthritis Walk until I've paid the Arthritis Foundation back... and then some ( Read more... )

Hi, all. To be honest, I've been avoiding writing this for a while. I know everyone has extra tight finances this year, and I feel a bit uncomfortable asking for donations to support my annual Arthritis Walk knowing that. So, here's what I'm asking of you all this year. In the past, those of you who've donated have donated $25 or more. I'm not ( Read more... )

I'm doing the Arthritis Walk to raise money for the Arthritis Foundation this Saturday. So this entry is kind of a last call plea for people to sponsor me. So far this year, I've raised about half of what I raised in my first 2 years doing the Walk. I know it's partially the economy is crap right now and some people who normally would have ( Read more... )