Live your life from your heart. Share from your heart.
And your story will touch and heal people’s souls.
- Melody Beattie
sharing my life story
I am 27 and I live in beautiful San Francisco. I was diagnosed over 2 years ago with Rheumatoid Arthritis, a chronic auto-immune disease that I will struggle with for the rest of my life. Before my diagnosis, I was a ballerina for 18 years, studied classical piano for almost 20 years, and am currently pursuing my Masters of Fine Arts in Advertising Account Planning at the Academy of Art University. I work as an Account Planner/Executive at a boutique creative marketing agency, which keeps me creative. Now that I struggle with chronic joint pain and fatigue, food allergies, daily granny pill boxes full of medications, weekly self-injections and monstrous medical bills, I feel like an 80 year-old trying to live a 27 year-old’s life. It has been difficult to give up some of my passions and become less active over the past few years. But I am learning the small ways to stay strong and start new hobbies, so that this disease won’t control my life. And these daily battles and chronic figurings-out are what I’m going to share with you – because even if I just touch one person with my story, it will be a success.
why a blog, you ask?
Not only is my daily life flooded with overcoming my disease while pursuing my career as a young adult, my love life as I inch closer to 30, and traveling (which is one of my passions), there’s another chronic pain in the butt that comes along with all of this – the big bad health insurance system. I am weekly, if not daily, filing rebuttals and resubmitting paperwork for claims with health insurance companies, doctors offices and specialty pharmacies just to keep up with the overflow of medical bills and expenses. It is a frustration that I have had to take into my own hands and constantly fight for my rights and needs as the patient – as a victim of this malfunctioning system. I can’t help but think how many people are victims of this big bad system because they don’t understand how they are being taken advantage of – and that’s why I started a blog. Plus, it’s a great way for my family and friends to keep up with my constant adventures and struggles, successes and disappointments, and to see how I’m fighting against this diagnosis on a daily basis. Most importantly, I hope to change someone else’s life, or simply create awareness, by sharing my story.
Now you can find me on facebook!
Hey Lauren, I came across your blog google searching “playing keyboard music rheumatoid arthritis”. I’m a 26 year old college student, diagnosed with RA at age 12 and was thinking about taking a beginning keyboarding music class this fall. I think it will be ok, typing doesn’t seem to bother me much so I wouldn’t think it’d be much different. I just want a musical outlet and am limited with the RA. Reading this inspired me a bit so I think I may just go for it. Anyway, seeing that your diagnosis is so new and mine is so… not new… haha, maybe we should get in touch! I also love your Melody Beattie quote. Anyway, e-mail me or find me on facebook, I don’t think it’s just a coincidence that I came across your page. Wishing you the best. – Mary
Hi Mary! I’m so glad that my story has made an impact on someone. I would say that beginners keyboard lessons would be a great thing for RA! It will help keep your wrists moving, but it is low-impact movement. Plus, music truly heals the soul
I would love to connect on facebook, so I will try to find you. Stay strong!
Hi, Lauren…”Denise” got me in touch with you. I like your blog! My husband and I have been vacationing in PHX for the past couple of weeks. Thankfully I’ve felt pretty well other than the extreme pain and stiffness in the A.M. Today, though, a flare-up occurred and have been pretty miserable. Currently I’m on 5 mg. of prednisone, 6 capsules of sulfasalazine a day and Methotexrate (my 3rd week). My Dr. and I are trying to see what “formula” works. I hate being on the steroid and the chemo type drug and want to try more natural things. I have found (or so it seems) that when I indulge in too many carbs, the flares are more frequent. I also want to check out the pilates class when I get home. I feel like this weak little bird. Well, great to “meet you” and will be checking back with ya. Happy Thoughts!
Thank you for your blog! I so identify with the ” I feel like an 80 year-old trying to live a 27 year-old’s life.” I’ve just been diagnosed with RA at age 29. Best of luck to you and I’ll definitely be following your journey as it seems so close to my own.
I’m so glad you found me! I wish you luck as well with your RA journey. Definitely don’t hesitate to share your experience on here as well. I’d love to hear about it!