Take a Vacation from RA
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease, where the body doesn’t produce insulin, which is crucial in regulating sugar uptake by various cells. Without insulin, people with diabetes can have too much or not enough sugar throughout their bodies which causes many issues. To counteract this, people give themselves insulin in reaction to how much sugar they’ve eaten and how much glucose is in their body. For many years, this has been done by injecting insulin using a needle and syringe. However, recent medical advancements have changed this, including medical devices that automatically reads peoples’ glucose, calculates insulin dosage, and administers insulin accordingly. These devices do the work for people with diabetes, which will be a life changing product for many.
Many of people with diabetes say they want a vacation from their disease, and these devices are a leap in this direction. Yes, a leap. It’s truly incredible to have a system read, calculate, and administer in such a manner.
We never get a vacation from RA. It’s a job that never ends and follows us wherever we go. When I go to the grocery store, I grab a cart to carry eggs and apples because my arms cannot carry a basket around the store. I weigh every text message I receive, “is the pain and stiffness in my fingers tomorrow morning worth responding to this text?”. When I cook, I pick pots and pans from my cabinet based on whether I can lift them to the stove.
When I truly get a relaxing vacation to a sunny beach, like Bermuda (yes, I am on a flight there now), half my suitcase is packed with medication, supplements, comfy shoes, and food I can eat. The TSA agent was probably curious why I had 5 lemons stuffed between my bathing suit and sandals in my suitcase. Never mind, the preparation and lists. It gives me a sneak preview into packing for a newborn. Did I remember my CBD oil? What do I need for the flight in case my feet start flaring? What restaurants are we eating at and can I eat anything on the menu? Is this truly a vacation? It’s a vacation from my 9 to 5 job, but not from my 24/7.
What does a vacation from RA look like to you?
What does a vacation from RA mean to you? Does it mean you get to relax for 20 minutes without pain? Does it mean you give your hands a break from cooking dinner one night a week and take a bath instead?
For me, it's when my body feels truly restful. Every night, I go to bed about 30 minutes before I fall asleep and read. I prop my book on a couple of pillows, and let my body go limp. I rest and sometimes mediate. All joint pain seizes. This is my vacation.
I go to acupuncture every week. My acupuncturist has me lie on her table for 40 minutes with needles poking in my feet, knees, elbows, and head. Every muscle heavily drops into the table. I think about moving my leg or lifting my arm, but my whole body stays motionless and the pain subsides. This is my vacation.
Don't get me wrong – sitting by the ocean on a humid, sunny afternoon in Bermuda is also extremely relaxing! But, I look forward to going to bed or my acupuncture appointments. It's a couple of minutes of total relief and relaxation. My body craves this. It needs this to heal.
Find your vacation. Take your vacation.
Yes, find the peaceful moments that relieve your pain. For some this is yoga or a bath or reading a book. Allow your body to fully relax, restore, and heal during this time. I challenge you to find your vacation and then go on vacation every week. Your body will thank you.