In my final blog of 2011 I said I had a good feeling about 2012...and now I am seriously considering a career change and becoming a psychic.
Before I talk about the good things, I should probably update you on where my RA is at right now. A few weeks ago I got an early Christmas present in the form of a flare up (FYI Santa next year I'd prefer coal in my stocking). It's difficult to undo my bra or to take off my coat or to open bottles of diet coke without asking random strangers to help (with the bottles that is, not my bra).
Not even a flare up can put a dampener on 2012, though. Yes, there have been some bad times as well as good. My year started with me making my way around half the hospitals of England thanks to my disease, and as the year came to a close I had to endure another two more stays in hospital. It was also the year that yet another treatment failed. But, and it's a big but, some amazing things have happened in between that have helped to make 2012 the best year of my life so far.
- Meeting a boy.
- Completing my fourth London Marathon, learning that I have way too much Britney on my iPod, and proving that arthritis does not have to stop you achieving your goals.
- Carrying the Olympic Torch and forgetting I was in pain for a whole 300 metres. Hands down the best day of my life...so far.
- Passing my exams and entering my final year at medical school.
- Going to the Olympic stadium...even if the only way I could manage it was in a wheelchair.
- Walking with Phil Packer on the last lap of his 2012 mile walk raising awareness of his charity, the British Inspiration Trust. A wonderful friend and an inspirational mentor.
- A much needed holiday.
- The Arthritis Research UK RHS Chelsea Flower Show garden.
- Talking about joints to anyone that would listen...including Rob Brydon.
- Celebrating 10 years of fighting RA.
- Going another whole year without letting this bitch of a disease defeat me.
2013 has a hard act to follow...
Happy New Year!
