Darlene Yarnetsky-Mudcat Pottery on sat 28 jul 07
Way to go Mel!
Sometimes that is all one can do - keep going. Yes, you can adjust
to protect yourself as much as possible and it sounds like you have
really thought it through and it has made a difference. I hope that
when I am 20 years down the road I am doing as well. Hope the pain
remains minimal for you in your new working position - pain can be an
awful thing, but you can get around it a bit as you have discovered.
Distraction helps some when throwing for me once I get going.
Choices - we all have them. Life hands us a scenario and we have to
decide how to play it. Been dealing with a lot of health issues
myself. Four minor surgeries (OBGYN issues mostly) last year,
daily migraines, etc. lost 18 months in the studio. Decided to do
everything in my power to take control of my health. Took two years
to lose 70 pounds, started making my health a priority - swimming
regularly even though it is a 25 mile drive, that sort of thing. Now
fighting fibromyalgia and what may be rheumatoid arthritis. Happy to
find that my rheumatologist shares my attitude- keep doing what I do.
I am actually better off to keep moving. If I have rheumatoid
arthritis we will know soon enough and I will adjust as I have to,
and if it isn't, thank God. I can let my illnesses run my life, or I
can live my life. I can't work 60 hour weeks anymore, but I enjoy the
hours I get.
My 77 year old father has severe arthritis in his back and hips. A
lot of pain. But he is happiest working outside on his farm building
things, fixing things, doing things. He is just about done
rebuilding a '77 Pinto I blew the engine on about 18 years ago - says
it's his retirement car. Looks brand new. Dug a water garden a few
years ago. Built a 12 foot high windmill for fun. Keeps life worth
living for him and I am convinced it is the reason he is NOT in a
wheelchair unable to move. Choices. Keep moving or not. Live or not.
We all have choices. In the past year I saw people dealing with many
things that were much harder than anything I have been dealt. Life
is short and fragile. We can't waste a moment.
Darlene Yarnetsky
Madison Indiana
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