Courage through suffering

It is something that some people take for granted that they will be healthy all their days as their parents. But, I am a nurses aide and I realize that anything can happen to anyone at anytime. Life is fleeting, so grab the brass ring while you can. I recently started to experiance changes to my body. Okay, I just turned fifty, but I have been reduced to a body of a ninety year old. I have Rheumatoid Arthritis, and the doctor told me that it was a moderate case. I was floored, a moderate case? I can't walk well in the morning, the morning stiffness was so bad I would pray at the top of the stairs so I wouldn't fall. Down I would decend, step by step, ache by ache. By 1:00 pm I would start to limber up and then by 9:00 pm I would start to stiffen up. I feel that I was dysfunctional, I couldn't twist off bottle caps, to brush my teeth was excruciating, and driving my manual transmission car is trying. I was diagnosed by a doctor and I am now on two medications; one is temporary and the other is more permanent. I am feeling better everyday, I am very slowly returning to my old self. I now look forward to sleeping through the night, getting up and actually bouncing out of bed. I want to resume the many projects I have lined up around the house. I have so many things to do, as those with houses will understand; there is always something to fix or maintain. typing is tiring me out so I will be thankful that I had the courage not to whine, to give up and cry. I did what I could and I now understand so many other people's suffering. It instills me to advocate more for those that can't walk well or at all to get more handicap entrances to stores and other community places. So peace to all and do take time to smell the roses !!!