There's an old adage that says, "We make plans; God laughs."
In my new RA life, however, I'd change that adage to "I make plans; RA laughs."
One of the most frustrating things about having RA is that I've been forced to become ultra-flexible (and I don't mean joints-wise). I used to be able to make plans weeks (or at least days) in advance -- and subsequently keep those plans. Nowadays, however, since I'm no longer sure what I'll feel like on any given day (okay, achy, tired, etc.), I may be forced to change plans at a moment's notice.
For example, during the holidays, I occasionally was unable to accompany our guests to planned and spontaneous museum or store outings (activities of which I wanted to partake) because I was just so fatigued. The only thing I could do was nap. I can't tell you how disappointing this was.
I never was a terribly rigid person (obstreperous, yes. Rigid, no.). But RA is causing me to be bendy and twisty all over my life. And I hate it.
Of course, when I was a kid (lo, these many years ago), I used to think that hyperflexibility was ultracool. Remember how we used to stare in admiration and amazement at kids who were double-jointed or who could bend their middle fingers back all the way to their wrists?
The deep irony in all of this is that even as RA has forced me to become flexible in my life's activities and plans, it is making my joints become more and more rigid.
This disease is a bitch.
I just can't wait until the day that RA makes plans, and I'm able laugh.
We think alike. Ever since I had to cancel a trip to visit friends in Wales because of RA my SKYPE message has been "Penguin Tracht un Got Lacht" = Man Plans and God Laughs. It should be Penguin Tracht un RA Lacht, now I come to think of it!
Pollyanna Penguin
Posted by: Pollyanna Penguin | 02/03/2010 at 07:27 AM
You can plan to be flexible and then laugh in RA's face! It is true that making plans when you have rheumatoid arthritis is difficult because you can never predict how you will be feeling the next day. All you can do is take the best care of your body that you can, even if it means skipping out on events that you had planned.
Posted by: Andrea | 02/03/2010 at 09:54 PM
Hey - How have you been? I miss you. I enjoy your blog!!!!
I should talk. I haven't been writing as much lately either, but I wanted you to know you are missed!!!
- RA SB
Posted by: RA SB | 03/02/2010 at 10:31 AM