Importance of BioMarkers Explained

I found this very informative. It explains the importance of biomarkers when checking for Rheumatoid Arthritis. I knew the tests they used but this explains the importance of each in detail. A very good read!!

       Importance of biomarkers, when testing for Rheumatoid Arthritis ,explained.

Fear

My latest Poem. Its about the worst flare of my life. This deep painful seemed to never end head to toes and every place in between 2 year flare was the worst time of my life. No RA meds, no pain meds nor steroids touched this flare.  I thought my life was over. I became completely helpless and dependent on my husband and family to do everything.  I was deeply depressed and going down hill very fast.  Simplest things became ....impossible! And every day since..I live..in fear that the pain may get that awful again! 

Fear

Not long ago my RA flared to the point of misery. No breaks ..no relief..all it did was give me such grief. At only 30 ...I thought my life was over...was done . Even though I fought  it ..it always won. The pain so intense all I wanted was to lay and cry. Laying there wondering why?!?!??  Why did it have to be this way...every minute out of every day. The pain so bad I just wanted to die ..because living like this felt like me saying good bye. Little by little the pain chipped away at my soul. Bit by bit the pain took its toll.  I couldn't dress myself...or comb my hair...I couldn't care for myself  and always needed someone there. How can nothing phase the pain? How can it be so intense every damn day? How can nothing help me? How can this be? I knew giving up wasn't an option for me. Even though I wanted to so badly. I had two kids who needed there Mom so giving into that pain was just no option. So everyday Id do the best that I could ...and tried to do the things a good Momma should. Thank God for my husband who was there everyday. Thank God for his kindness and understanding ways. He gave me strength when all I wanted was to give up. He was there for me when I thought I was done. Always encouraging me and whispering to me..when I cried...don't give up now  " this too shall subside"  living in fear that it might come back. But I know I just cant live like that. So I do my best with each passing day to enjoy the good and push the fears away.

June 21,2014

Tracy Pierce

Steps to Understanding a Chronic Pain Fighters Daily Battles and How to Help Them

Hi to all my fellow 
Autoimmune Arthritis Warriors!

 I found this article very informative and would be great to share with family and friends. It does help put what you are going through into perspective for your healthy friends and family who do not quiet understand just how hard it is to live in pain every day of your life!! Feel free to share this great article with the loved ones in your life. 
They will never completely know what you are 
going through but this will at least teach them how to treat a chronic pain warrior. Just click on the blue link...read and share!

XOXO, RA Tray

Steps to Understanding Someone Fighting Chronic Pain

 

Life After Disability

Hi ya'll,

 I wrote this about a few years back having to give up my career and start my fight to get disability benefits. I was only 30 yrs old and at the time and after I was forced to quit working ,due to my long battle with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I felt worthless and lost without a career. What was I suppose to do with myself now? It has been a journey for sure but I am happy to say life is so much better now than it was right after I stopped working. I wrote this for my Rheumatoid Arthritis closed suport group I started a couple years ago on facebook. When I started the group I wanted to be there for others because I knew first hand just depressing it is to feel all alone while battling this disease and I just had a passion...the need to help others but I had no idea that in my darkest of hours...when I was trying to help others...I could have never realized just how much they would end up saving me! How they would in return lift my spirits and give purpose to my life again. So this poems for RA Tray (closed group )(that anyone with RA is welcome to join us)  The end of this poems the best part so be sure to read it from beginning to end. Tears filled my eyes as I was writing it. I brought back all those dark days but thanks to the love & support of this great group of RA warriors...they gave my life a purpose a new meaning to my life...and for that.....I am forever grateful!!

Saved

When I felt down and worthless too you lift me up and made life's purpose feel new. Being disabled, and at such a young age, I thought to myself what will I do with my days? I can no longer work so whats my purpose in life? Is my only existence to just be a wife? I felt so lost for so long.Wondering and worrying i felt so alone. Being disabled can make you feel sad and worthless too but you're not worthless at all ..its just time to start new. A new adventure...a new chapter in life. I found my passion for crafting, my passion for art...my passion for writing...i was off to a great start. My need to feel accepted to not feel alone..i needed support to calm down the unknowns. So i came up with an idea and started a 

support group and thats how I come to know all of you. You saved me in my darkest hours...all those doubts that I had where gone within hours. No longer alone...no longer an outcast..those awful things are now things of the past. Thank you for giving back my purpose and my will to fight. In so many ways you saved this girls life.©

6-6-2014

Tracy Pierce

Thank you fellow RA warriors  for saving me in my darkest hours!!!

A Major Motion Picture FINALLY with a Leading Actress with Rheumatoid Arthritis!

I have waited 21 years for a movie like this. One that is the real deal. Not some second rate corny acting/story line but a real major motion picture on the big screen with " A" List actors and actresses! One with a lead actor ( heck up till this point I would have taken any character ) accurately portrayed having Rheumatoid Arthritis. Save the date because the wait is finally over!  June 6, 2014 the major motion picture is released in the US called " Words & Pictures" . I can not explain just how excited I am to see this movie and I am pleading with everyone I know to please go see it!!! To my knowledge this is the first movie that openly portrays a woman newly diagnosed and struggling with life after her Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis. Below is an article posted on Arthritis Foundations website about the movie and features a clip of one scene with the lead actress ,with RA ,

struggling to open her medicine bottle. 

( click on the link below for video clip and article)

http://www.arthritistoday.org/what-you-can-do/everyday-solutions/relationships/words-and-pictures-movie.php

I cried the first time I watched the clip. It hits so close to home for me. I felt the pain she was acting she had. I know that pain and have known it for over 21 years now and I am so thrilled to finally see an accurate portrayal brought to the big screen and presented to the masses. Just think of how much awareness this could spread!  RA has been underestimated and confused with old persons Arthritis for many many years. This is huge for everyone living with Rheumatoid 
Arthritis and I am so  excited to share this news with you. Save the date! June 6, 2014 " Words & Pictures" hits a local theater near you! Go out and show your support!! 

The Official Trailer

http://youtu.be/ypLWZx8TDtA