Flare For Months

Annmarie Entner • September 24, 2024

May to September

I don’t even know where to begin except that I have been living in pain and functioning! How you ask?! Well, It started with cleaning out my MIL’s house we bought for her… HOLY HOARDER !!! I began May with organizing and throwing out so much “ STUFF “… This was our 3rd time decluttering and I did it all myself. Imagine throwing away 40 13 gallon bags filled to the max. That was the beginning of over using my hands. We wanted to put it on the market to rent for the summer of permanent. So like every other GEN X we go speeding to get it done…. Once again I am reminded of how being a GEN X and Suck It Up attitude doesn’t fit someone who has Rheumatoid Arthritis and slowed down. I spent the next couple of months going over and cleaning it out one room at a time. Let’s just say I now have a garage of her stuff that still needs to be gone through.

You now are wondering why do I not have any help…? My husband started a new job in May and his time was very limited. I’d put bags, boxes and miscellaneous garbage in the garage to be brought to the dump. Now it’s about early June and I have accumulated a tremendous amount of stuff labeled “look at later time”…. At this point I am losing mobility in my hands and the pain is unbearable… this is when I decide I am not going to go the “STEROID” avenue. I have damage already and I am waiting for the insurance to kick in as I am dwindling down on my medication.

This what I learned during this saga of pushing to hard and not taking steroids.

1 – I was able to work through the pain with breathing methods and journaling out loud to my phone. Some days I will admit I would cry and feel the feelings saying this flare is temporary till I get back on my medication because by the end of July I had ran out. Plus, ASK for help!!!!

2 – I was grateful daily that I was able to not take steroids because they are the drug that we all love but has horrible side effects…

3 – Mindset works… I became very good at practicing compassion, grace and forgiveness during this time.

4 – Self talk… I was changing the narrative in my head pretty regular. I wanted to feel sorry for myself, however, I knew this was temporary and I would come up with solutions for situations that were causing me difficulties.

In the beginning of August I had my first appointment since losing my insurance and I am back on track with my medication… (There is a story about medication I will share in my next entry).

So as of today I am on my way again back to remission (hopefully) doing more than I have since June… Life is good.

By Annmarie Entner March 28, 2025
Hey, Beautiful Warrior If we’ve crossed paths before—welcome back. If you’re new here, I’m so glad you’ve found your way to this space. My name is Annmarie Entner, and I’m the heart behind Life Coaching For Change. I support women who are newly diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis or feeling overwhelmed in the thick of it—and I walk alongside them as they navigate the heartbreak, the uncertainty, and the brave work of redefining their lives. But today, I want to do something a little different. I want to reintroduce myself—not just as a coach, but as a woman who’s been where you are. When I was first diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis, I felt like the rug had been pulled out from under me. I was overwhelmed by doctor appointments, uncertain treatment plans, the grief of not knowing what my future held, and the quiet ache of wondering if I’d ever feel "normal" again. I had moments of fearing I wouldn’t be able to hold my grandchild, dance at a wedding, or even enjoy the little things without pain tagging along like an uninvited guest. I know what it’s like to smile on the outside while you're barely holding it together inside. And I also know what it means to rise—to choose purpose in the midst of pain, to hold both hope and grief in the same hand, and to show up fully, even when your body wants to do anything but. That’s why I do what I do. Today, my life looks so different—not because the pain is gone, but because I’ve made peace with it. I've learned to move with it instead of letting it define me. I’ve become my own advocate, embraced support, rebuilt precious relationships, and found strength I never knew I had. And now, I help other women do the same. Whether it’s through one-on-one coaching, support groups, or walking side by side (literally!) in my new walking group, I’m here to remind you: ✨ You are not alone. ✨ You are not broken. ✨ And your diagnosis is not the end of your story—it’s the start of a new chapter. So consider this blog a fresh hello. I'm still the same Annmarie—coach, author, speaker, wife, mom, proud grandma, and woman who’s been through it all—but I’m also evolving, just like you. I’m growing into new roles, building new resources, and showing up more fully than ever, so I can continue to support you on your journey. If you're ready to reconnect, reignite your sense of self, or simply breathe a little easier—I'm right here. Let’s keep walking this path together. With love and light, Annmarie
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