Leave our Forum alone!

I don't know what this discussion is about.

I am a recent correspondent, as I found the site in trying to understand my newly diagnosed PMR and early indications of onset of GCA.  I am under the great care of a rheumatologist for the successful treatment of my mild-onset RA which I have had for the last 5 years, so the onset of these inflamatory conditions relates to the autoimmune conditions. 

There have been some helpful insights gained through reading everyone's correspondences here, although I must admit that I usually have to quickly scan their multitudinous influx as I am still gainfully employed at 65 and stay very busy both with my work and my after-work pursuits of gardening, working with animals, outside activities,  and community development projects. 

I look to the example of my 96 year-old father who continues a very vigorous lifestyle being a devotee of healthful physical lifestyle and growing his own vegetables year-roound.  I am the only one in our family  (4 siblings all in good health) who has had to deal with health problems like this. Our mother was diagnosed with bi-polar disorder in mid-life and lived until she was 87 in a dependent state at home, under the care of my father and visiting nurses, so the only genetically linked issue in our family that I fear the most has been the mental one (her family history had suspicious cases of suicides and other mental diagnoses in earlier generations).  The education of understanding this condition has given me a lot of insight about keeping aware of the association of brain health.  Dealing with a younger daughter who suffers with anxiety and depression gives me enough to stay on top of, without dwelling too much on my own pains, etc.  I guess I am trying to say that I try to put mind over matter by keeping busy in life, as much as my condition will allow. 

I realize that not everyone is as fortunate in their physical limitations.  For kicks, I am attaching here a picture of me on my older, but spirited Friesian/Arab mare, who has tossed me off one time too much.  She is enjoying her semi-retirement on a nearby farm with several geriatric pasture mates.  Yes, I have decided that it is not healthful for me to continue with that lifelong pursuit of equestrian achievement!!