The last time I wrote you guys, I was struggling a bit. I was getting used to a new normal and in the depths of a period of transition... getting to know my body all over again. I wanted to update you and let you know that the new bod and I are getting along swimmingly. My treatments are starting to work and suddenly I'm starting to remember what it used to be like to be able to live actively without everything hurting all the time. It's pretty damn amazing! I'm able to work out regularly again and I'm starting to be able to do that without fear of being "hurt" for a week afterwards. Now, "sore" actually feels like sore and not an injury. I had almost forgotten what that was like. 

Being afraid of your own body is a bizarre feeling and I've been in a strange relationship with mine while it was trying to tell me something was wrong for the past seven years. It's frustrating and scary and, honestly, so was finally getting the diagnosis of spondyloarthritis. It was a double edged sword. On one hand, I finally knew what was happening and it was validating to hear I wasn't overreacting or making this up. On the other, this was something that I was going to have to deal with for the rest of my life? It could only be managed and never go away? That was a hard pill to swallow... as were all the pills I now had to take to treat it, but I had tried everything and was desperate. It was worth a try and I'm so glad I did.

After several months of treatment and watchful care of a doctor that I am so grateful for, I finally feel like a normal, healthy person again. As someone who chose a career based on body health and movement, I am so ecstatic to finally be able to do the things that I love to do again. My "episodes" are now few and far between and I am able to work around them and live the full, complete life that I want to live. I am pleased to announce that my body and I are back to being simpatico and are taking good care of each other. Life is so good.