 Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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Joined: Nov 2001
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 What is the context in which you hold having this chronic disease?
How do you deal with the pain and suffering that can come with A.S.?
This month, instead of focusing on the pain and suffering that we endure, I would like to propose that we concentrate on all the many ways in which we are blessed.
While we may continue to live with pain, we do not have to suffer. Pain is experiential, suffering is context. We suffer because we let our lives become about being in pain, rather than focusing on what drives our hearts forward.
When we get our attention off ourselves, when we find a purpose on which to focus, we cease to suffer, even if we remain in pain. That's my theory anyway.
Spondyville's Octoberblest hopes to help our fellow Spondys to begin to think about, and perhaps change the way they hold having this disease.
I believe that if you can get past suffering, you'll find a new, more optimistic course for your life. Remember, having A.S. is not the end of your life, it is the beginning of a new and challenging chapter, with just as many triumphs, rewards and adventures to embrace as you would have found on the path you were on before having this disease.
So, let me hear from you; Name one way in which you are blessed. Then see if you can name one new and different way you are blessed for every day of the month of October.
Can you do it? (It's not as easy as it sounds.) 
For more about Spondyville's Octoberblest:
http://www.spondyville.com/Page105Octoberblest2.html
Spenser23
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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My cat Kissa fall in love with me-1st time in 10 years since I bough her. I try to forget that she has no choice since all my boys left house and now just me and her. I wish she lern do how to brush her teeth before she kiss me!
AS since 2000,diagnosed in 2008.low back ,both elbows surgeries. IBS,Eosinophilic esophagitis. I am on Remicade, Methotrexate. B 27 Positive
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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Joined: Mar 2013
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So many blessings...
My husband is retired and although he has severe osteo, he does most of the cooking, loads the dishwasher and does all the laundry
My 2 children have both graduated from college in the past 12 months and both have good jobs. So proud of both of them!
My employers are great and have been very understanding and supportive since my diagnosis.
I discovered water aerobics in May, and it's been a Godsend for keeping me moving.
I have a roof over my head and food in my refrigerator.
I have a wonderful church family. We all support and watch out for each other.
I have an awesome extended family - mother, sister, brothers, in-laws, nephews, great-niece...
There, that gets me through the first week!
Ginny - 58 year old female
Dx with USpA in March 2013; changed to AS in July 2015
Iritis and Scleritis, both currently in remission
unicompartmental knee replacements: right-June 2014, left-Aug 2018
MTX, Humira, Cyclobenzaprine, plus Celebrex as needed
Supplements: Folic Acid, Vitamin A, Vitamin D, Calcium, Fish Oil, Culturelle probiotic, Melatonin (as needed)
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 5,121
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OP
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I am blessed to have a supportive family and great friends that are there to assist me when I need help. For example, I have two friends, both neighbors who live in my building ... Each weekday, before I head out to work, one of them comes by and fastens the velcro straps on my shoes. (I can put my shoes on, I just can't get the straps on without assistance.)
I am also blessed to have such a resilient sense of humor. It has gotten me through a lot of hard times.
Spenser23
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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Joined: Jan 2010
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Hi Spencer,
What a wonderful thought this is. It is so important not to allow any type of disease define you as a person. There will be horrible days, not so horrible days and really good days. Thank God for this board, and especially your sense of humor.
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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Posts: 5,121
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OP
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By the way ... In this situation, Spondyville is using Blest or Blessed irrespective of religious connotations. We are, in fact, not talking at all about religion. (Spirituality, perhaps, but not religion or even necessarily a belief in God.) Think of us using the word as in the way people say, "my parents gave me their blessing." If Blessing makes you a bit fearful of religious connotations, you can just as easily replace 'blessed' with 'fortunate' ... Needless to say, OctoberFortunate doesn't have as good a ring to it as Octoberblest, but never mind that.  Day 4: I am blessed to live in a city that has access-a-ride service for people like me with disabilities which makes it possible for me to continue to work full-time. Spenser23
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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I'm blessed to have a wonderful husband who would do anything to make me feel better. I'm blessed that we have made it almost 30 years and are.stronger than ever.
I would be unstoppable, if I could just get started.
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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I'm blessed to have a patient and supportive husband. He's practically my only support system, but he's a good one.
I'm also blessed to have close access to an amazing medical center and a rheumy who gives me aggressive treatments now instead of making me wait until it's too late.
Amy
27 years old
AS diagnosis 2013; neck pain for seven or eight years, and spreading multiple-joint pain for about two years
Also: Fibromyalgia, Hashimoto's, hypoglycemia, Raynaud's phenomenon
Meds: Remicade, Norco (10-325 mg), Gabapentin, allergy shots, Prozac, Synthroid (25-50 mcg)
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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Joined: Jul 2013
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I am really blessed to have my best friend. We were friends long before autoimmune diseases took over our lives. She started her quest for a diagnosis about a year after we became friends. Turns out she has Lyme and Fibro. Then a year ago I started my diagnosis quest and discovered I have AS. We've been friends now for almost 5 years. Longest time I've been able to hold on to a best girlfriend! I've always been the ultimate tomboy.
It is so so so awesome that we have each other. Nobody understands like a fellow spoonie!
Not to get too religious, but I truly believe that it was not a coincidence that we became friends.
22 years old. Female. Diagnosed with AS in June of 2013 but experienced symptoms for two years prior. Fused SI joints, fused L5-S1. Love and own 4 horses who keep me walking and riding around despite the pain. Married to a wonderful man, and struggling to deal with this chronic illness while being a newlywed and starting my first desk job.
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Re: Spondyville's Octoberblest!
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I'm blessed with two terrific grandaughters,bright,beatiful and very well mannered. We were able to take a roadtrip to MO to see some family sing bluegrass and country and it was a very relaxing enjoyable trip.
I would be unstoppable, if I could just get started.
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