Over at Jerusalemite….
I’ve been spending most of my interweb time blogging over at Jerusalemite these days.
What you’ve missed if you haven’t been reading…
Jerusalem receives a new fountain from Paris.
British artist Stephen Wiltshire visits Jerusalem to draw one of his famous landscape drawings.
An investigation into whether Jerusalem’s bagel shops boil their bagels before baking. You’ll be shocked by our findings!
The Israel Antiquities Authority discover a Second Temple-era quarry in Jerusalem that might have been used to build the Western Wall.
An interview with Avi Sabag, director of the Musrara Mix festival, Jerusalem’s number one alternative arts, non-commercial festival.
We’ve also got Jerusalem events, Jerusalem restaurants, Jerusalem nightlife and much, much more! We’ll be uploading extensive listings for Jerusalem Day in a few days. Tell your friends! Spread the word! The Jerusalemite team thanks you!
Yo Blair!
May is Arthritis Awareness Month! Yay!
When most people hear “Arthritis” they think of old people with creaky and swollen joints. This is called Osteoarthritis, which is most likely caused by general wear and tear and of course, aging. However the vast majority of arthritis cases affect people far younger. These are Rheumatic diseases which causes the body’s immune system to attack the joints. It is most common for symptoms to show up in your mid twenties.
I first showed symptoms when I was 22 but my disease wasn’t full blown until I was 26 or so. It started with foot pain when I was in the army. I saw my first orthopedist towards the end of basic training. I was told that the pain is due to my flat feet and stress fractures. Throughout my army service I saw numerous orthopedists and was misdiagnosed each and every time. My pain continued, grew worse, yet I persevered. Once I got discharged, I took it easy physically, yet the pain persisted and worsened. It wasn’t until I saw a foot and ankle specialist that I was finally pointed in the right direction. After examining my numerous x-rays and bone scans as well as a physical examination he concluded that there is no evidence of stress fractures, that I don’t have flat feet and there is nothing mechanically wrong with my foot. He recommended that I see a Rheumatologist. I had other symptoms as well but never made the connection with my foot pain. The minor pain I was experiencing in my hand wasn’t due to my daily guitar playing. I didn’t even notice the red spots on my head. I was diagnosed with Psoriatic Arthritis. And that was the day my life changed forever.
I was put on anti-inflammatories and a disease altering medication. Neither helped and my condition deteriorated. My foot got so swollen and sensitive that I couldn’t even put on a sock without experiencing excruciating pain. Driving was out of the question. I couldn’t apply pressure on the pedals. My left foot started to hurt as well. Then my spine, my neck, and eventually every joint in my hips. Before I knew it I could barely walk without the assistance of crutches. I received a few steroid injections in my feet that enabled me to walk. Yet life continued to become a challenge. Sure I complained a lot, but I’m not sure my friends realized exactly how much pain I was in - physically and emotionally. Being diagnosed with a life altering, painful chronic disease that has no cure is a lot to deal with. It didn’t help whenever I mentioned arthritis I was the butt of all too many jokes. I know my friends just didn’t really understand what I was going through, but it was hard not to ignore them…
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