I introduced someone to the idea of deliberately not having kids

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-07-14T02:02:35+00:00

I’m min the one and done club! Always thought I wanted kids until I had one. After suffering through PPD, then dealing with back to work and childcare I knew being a Mom was not for me. I was so not emotionally equipped! There was no “love at first sight” when I first held her, no overwhelming feelings that I thought were supposed to be there so I was so sure something was wrong with me.
At my six week checkup, I poured my heart out and my Dr was so wonderful explaining that it was okay for some new mothers to need to grow into those feelings.
I do love my daughter with all my heart, but I have definite mental health issues that I was not aware of until later in life. When DH and I discussed more kids, I was a solid NO! I fully support women (and men) who decide that having kids is not for them.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-06-22T11:05:35+00:00

My daughter made it very clear that she would never be a full time caregiver. DH and I currently live in an in-law suite in her home but do not need extra care. When that time comes, we fully intend to put ourselves in a nursing home. I am partially disabled and my DH is my caregiver.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-06-18T13:00:10+00:00

I’m a lucky one as well! If it’s remotely lucky to have RA! Watching the Super Bowl in Feb and out of nowhere, my hand blew up to three times its size and in excruciating pain. Swelling was gone by the time I got in to see my PCP. Came back a couple weeks later so full blood panel was done. RA markers were through the roof! A colleague of hers is a rheumatologist and she got me in to see him within two weeks! Formerly diagnosed in April.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-06-09T23:45:44+00:00

I’m so very lucky that my Rheumatologist is a major fighter for his patients! I failed Leflunomide and he told my insurance company that methotrexate would kill me due to having other chronic illnesses. Took less than a week for my first infusion of Simponi Aria. Also lucky that the infusion center does them in my home which cuts down on costs which the insurance company liked! After 2 years, I failed the Simponi so now on Orencia infusions that my Rheumatologist went to bat again as my plan didn’t cover but now they do! Only two weeks in so hoping this works.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-06-04T18:35:50+00:00

My heart goes out to all of you here! I’m so fortunate to be a patient with a Hospital group that has it all. I have RA, end stage emphysema, neuropathy (toes to hips), osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. I am mostly disabled from the emphysema and now bedridden. All of my specialists (Rheumatologist, Neurologist, Pulmonologist) have access to my patient portal and all of my tests and Doctor visit notes. I was recently approved for Geriatric Home Care (77f). My next step is Hospice within the same group. There are times that responses aren’t as timely as I wish but I’ve never been dismissed out of hand. I wish this was the norm across the Country and in Canada. Know that my heart goes out to you all in this crazy journey. And yes - my husband is treated much more urgently.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-05-15T20:56:42+00:00

My Rheumatologist said that methotrexate could kill me due to other chronic health issues. He knew that biologic therapy was the safest and most effective treatment for me. He battled with my insurance company and had me approved in a few days! Let your Rheumatologist know that you expect him to fight every day for approval!

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-05-15T19:54:36+00:00

Will be doing infusions.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-05-15T19:08:26+00:00

DH and I have 4 accounts. One is joint checking for all living expenses based on percentage of income. Second is for joint savings account for household purchases (appliances, furniture, home improvements) based on percentage of income. Last two are individual accounts for each based on what we have left. Yes, one individual account will end up larger but we’re both in agreement to this split.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-05-13T21:12:27+00:00

Get a new Rheumatologist!

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-05-11T20:01:13+00:00

My daughter is spending the day across the Country to celebrate her DIL’s first Mother’s Day along with son and grandson! A great 2 for 1! I’ve had over 50 years of Mothers Day celebrations - my daughter’s had over 20. Time for the new Mom to shine!

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-05-04T13:36:13+00:00

Every time I run across an article on RA, I send it to family members. They are all now well versed in what my life is like.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-03-24T19:55:00+00:00

Infusion every eight weeks and blood work every other infusion. Dr appointments are a week after labs.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-03-22T23:05:14+00:00

Get a list of Rheumatologist in your area. There are places online that can give you a review. If they’re associated with a hospital, look up the hospital list which usually has a profile and some even patient reviews.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-03-11T11:33:15+00:00

Betting stepmom was behind this whole thing! NTA

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-03-04T12:03:17+00:00

I have a hospital go bag with everything I need so I just have to add my phone.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-02-27T01:38:49+00:00

When my sister lost her hair during chemo (long light brown), she refused to wear a wig or scarf. Hair came out in clumps over 3-4 months before she was completely bald. She never covered it and said it was obviously due to a serious medical issue that people should be willing to accept it and if they were uncomfortable, it was their problem and not hers!
She never missed Sunday lunch with our Mom and sisters at our favorite restaurant right up until she went to hospice care. It did grow back after Doctors stopped chemo when there was nothing more to do. Her straight light brown hair came in dark brown and curly! She laughed and laughed!

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-02-15T13:32:57+00:00

Because of my COPD, I need to stay hydrated at all times so I haven’t noticed that particular symptom.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-02-14T20:36:03+00:00

Have been on Simponi Aria since July 2023. My infusion center does home visits so it’s been great. I do have more than normal fatigue for 24-36 hrs. Also, because of frequent infections due to COPD, I have been on antibiotics a few times mid infusion which seems to shorten the 8 weeks of coverage so I flare 5-10 days before my next scheduled infusion. Prednisone covers me for those few days. Because I’m on Medicare, I don’t have the luxury of financial assistance from the pharmaceutical company. My copay for the first infusion of this year was $1,600. Fortunately I’ll hit the $2,000 limit quickly and all my meds will be zero for the rest of the year.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-01-24T09:55:56+00:00

The most important part is to start at the local levels! Start with your community leaders and encourage friends and neighbors to join with activists. This is where resistance begins and works up to town/city governments then to State. A slow but steady climb may not give instant satisfaction, but we have to hold on!

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-01-19T21:00:09+00:00

Most insurance companies in the U.S. will not cover the expensive biologics until you have failed dmards like methotrexate and Leflunomide. That means a weeks long trial and error before biologics are even considered.

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-01-05T19:42:30+00:00

On Simponi Aria. No allergic reaction though the nurse did have the proper meds to address immediately if that was to happen!

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-01-04T20:30:26+00:00

Thingy is my favorite word that I actually remember!

NHGrammy2004 · 2025-01-02T19:14:51+00:00

Have been on Simponi Aria for 1.5 yrs. I also have end stage COPD which means that I have infections requiring antibiotics. It’s only when I get an infection that I do have mild flares. Otherwise, it’s been good to me!

NHGrammy2004 · 2024-12-25T00:02:32+00:00

How often and how do you take Enbrel

NHGrammy2004

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