Update on A Friend with RA in Need: Sharon Yoshizu

     Good news!  My friend Sharon successfully had surgery to fuse her neck/spine yesterday!


Sharon and her husband, Brad

     She is doing very well and expects to recover within the next six months (hopefully sooner!)  I am so happy and relieved for Sharon and her family.  Now they can focus on recovery and we all want Sharon to be free from the pain she's been suffering for the last several years.  Through it all, Sharon has remained positive and grateful for everything.  She is an amazing person!

    If you are interested, please visit Sharon's fundraising page here.  Thank you for helping Sharon live as fully as possible!

Hope Update #1

     Lovely little Hope is doing much better!  I visited her recently, armed with supplies and toys!  Hope was so happy playing with her new mice!

     Click here to watch baby Hope play!  So super adorable!

     Hope's leg is slowly healing, and she loves all of her visitors.  She's approximately two months old and I swear this kitten doesn't know she's not like other kitties.  She hops to you and "hunts" her toys (complete with butt wiggle) and welcomes all visitors with her sweet personality. 

     When she is old enough and her body is stronger, she will have her surgeries and her rescue parents intend to give Hope wheels so she can run and play with everyone!

     Please continue sending your warm thoughts and prayers to Hope!  They are helping her thrive!

     Hope's fundraising page

     808 Animal Rescue's instagram page (regular updates here!)

The Best Way to Support Someone Living with RA

     If you love someone who is living with rheumatoid arthritis, you may wonder how to support that person.  Do you offer advice?  Do you cook meals and complete chores or errands that are probably very difficult for her to do?  Do you take her out for a little fun or shopping or whatever activity she enjoys?  Do you stop by with flowers?

     All of those things are great, and I am sure they would be very appreciated.  However, the very best way to support her is to listen to her.

     Just listen.  No judgment, no advice, no words necessary.

     Truly hear what she has to say.  Listen when she needs to vent, to think out loud, to cry.  Provide your advice if requested, say some reassuring words if you know she needs them. Hugs are usually appreciated too.

    She knows there's nothing you can do about her health or her circumstances.  But you can always listen.  It's the best way to offer comfort and support whenever she needs it.

RA Makes Simple Activities Difficult

     Rheumatoid arthritis provides certain guarantees, one of which is turning a previously simple activity into a difficult and complicated activity.  For example, grasping and opening a door handle.  I learned this one immediately, because the day I woke up with RA I could not open my own door. 

     I recall reaching for the round door handle, and stretching out my fingers was painful.  Attempting to wrap my fingers around the handle hurt.  I couldn't completely wrap my hand around the handle because my fingers were so swollen, and the pressure required to grasp and turn sent a sharp pain through my hand.  I struggled with the handle, making several attempts just to try and open the door.  I was kind of shocked that I couldn't do something that simple.

     My door handle was just the first lesson in simple-to-difficult activities 101.  Others lessons include holding a toothbrush, sweeping with a broom, cutting food and pressing buttons.  I am acutely aware of how much hand pressure and coordination is required for most of the things most people never think twice about.  I am always judging whether or not I can handle a seemingly simple task.

     At times, it is very frustrating.  I have often thought to myself, "come on, anybody can do this!"  However, that's not true for me.  I used to do a lot of simple tasks without thinking about it, like second nature.  Now, I estimate the amount of strength needed for almost every activity.  It's tiring, even draining, but it's necessary.  I am still learning to ask for help and rely on the support of others, which I am incredibly grateful for.  It feels ridiculous, though, to ask someone else to open a bottle of water for me.  I suppose I'm still working on being okay with not being 100% okay.

A Friend with RA in Need: Sharon Yoshizu

     One of the more difficult aspects of living with RA for me has been finding other people who have had an experience similar to mine.  I have not found another person in Hawaii whose experience parallels my own, but I was introduced to an incredible young woman who helped me when I really needed someone to just get it.

     I was blessed to be introduced to my friend Sharon Yoshizu.  She is incredibly inspiring.  Sharon has suffered with RA since age 21 and has a young daughter who was born with JRA.  Sharon also required neck surgery several years ago that resulted in a stroke, from which she is still trying to recover.  She has been on just about every RA drug available, moving on to the next drug when her body stops responding to treatment.  

     Sharon is amazing to me because, despite the pain; surgeries; stroke; inability to work and failure of treatment, she continues to be hopeful and help anyone in any way she can.  We had not met when I was put in contact with her through our local Arthritis Foundation chapter.  However, Sharon immediately called and reassured me when I was facing a difficult treatment.  She'd been there, she understood.  It didn't matter that we didn't know each other; I also had RA and needed help, so she decided to help.  

     I am so grateful for Sharon and her unlimited empathy and kindness.  I've decided to share her story here because it is one way for me to return her kindness. Sharon needs multiple surgeries and has been unable to find a willing surgeon in Hawaii.  She and her family are moving to California to try to get the help she needs.  This is a huge but unavoidable expense and her family is asking for your help.

      Please take a moment to read about Sharon and her family here.  If you are able, please donate.

     Thank you for any love and support you are able to give Sharon and the Yoshizu family.