I finished my papers finally and, while I’m not super happy with them, I think they will do. But that left me with some free time yesterday. I know, weird right? So I picked up a book that my boyfriend checked out of the library – “Out of Joint: A Private and Public Story of Arthritis” by Mary Felstiner.
For the first time in years, I picked up a book and devoured it. Somehow I think it was because some of it was so familiar.
It’s a great book, but I found it really difficult to relate to… because much of the book centered around how things changed for Mary and how she missed her life before RA… And I don’t have that.
When I remember, I seldom remember pain – or, if I do, it is a lot less intense, I’m sure, than it actually was at the time. But that is all that I remember really. How many people have lots of memories from before kindergarten anyway?
Her book is good, and definitely worth a read – especially for our significant others. I’m really excited for when my boyfriend gets to that book, because I think it’ll help him understand me a little better – how I don’t like to talk about my arthritis, how I can still be so worried and trying to help others despite my own condition, and many of my fears.