To worry or not to worry.........................

This has been a very exciting week for me! I had my orientation for the nursing program that I have worked so hard to get into. After many months of being sick and almost completely forgetting about my goal of becoming a nurse, the day has finally arrived. The night before I was to be at school, I put out my clothes, because I  had to be sure and wear the right things so the kids would like me:) I woke up early, had a healthy breakfast, took my meds and went skipping out the door. As I walked into orientation I was so excited I could not keep the grin off my face. I was given my crisp white uniform, pile upon pile of paperwork, schedules, expectations, books, responsibilities, and warnings. Then reality set in a bit. This is going to be a tough couple of years. What if I get sick? What if I have a flare up? Cant think straight? Forget things? Try to microwave an empty plate of food again? Yes, I actually did that. People aren't going to understand what I mean when I say RA. As soon as the word arthritis leaves my mouth reactions go from being sympathetic to saying "my grandma has that" or "I know the feeling, my hands hurt when it rains." Then it dawned on me, this has all happened and I survived. I was around people who didn't get it, working two jobs, doubles all the time, juggling medications, learning how my new body worked and even tough my hands were swollen, my feet covered in nodules, fatigued, irritable, happy, sad, no matter what state I was in, I got through it. This is how things are going to be from no on. And no matter what, I will get through it.