Poem by Kath from 2009 - (gosh 5 years, where has that gone)

kathbee

Here's a Poem I devised in 2009
Can't believe it was so long ago when I posted it on here.
For the new peeps, here it is.

And - 35 years of age was
35 years ago. Yep I am a golden-oldie.



ARTHUR and ME

When I was around 35 or so
My body began to get really slow
“What’s up here”? I said to myself
So I went to the library and looked on the shelves

I had lots of pain in my hands and my feet
And suddenly life didn’t seem that sweet
I’d wake up each morning with a terrible dread
“Now how the heck do I get out of bed”

I struggled on, saw the doctors a lot
But no-one came up with what I had got
One even told me “It’s cos you don’t work”
I had two little kids and never would shirk

I struggled some more but the pains just got worse
Elbows, knees hips - Yikes, it must be a curse
Then one day “Eureka, we finally know
What’s attacking you and making you low”

“It’s something called ARTHUR, the Rheumatoid kind
Sorry ‘bout that and hope you don’t mind
But just so’s you know, there isn’t a cure
But there’s buckets of tablets to try that’s for sure

So along came a wheelchair, a bath seat and such
Of this lot, there’s nothing I like very much
Now blood tests, injections, appointments, whatever
Who’d have thought it – I certainly never!

I walk quite peculiar, bit beggared and bent
Wear clompy shoes, not quite heaven sent
“Who’s that in the mirror”? Oh gosh is it me?
I’m enough to scare babies and children, oh gee!

But my Constant Companion does not lets me down
It’s name is PAIN and it’s always around
Exhaustion and stiffness and what feels like flu
Just about sums it between me and you

But what would I do if it left me tomorra
It would certainly be with some shock and horror
For I cannot remember what my life was like
Before I went on this very long hike

There’s a website to visit called Arthritis Care
The problems I have, I’m able to share
That’s such a big help in so many ways
I’ll remember the folks to the end of my days

So I try very hard not to get down
I guess that a smile, sure beats a frown
I’ll just count my blessings each and every day
And hey! I’m still upright so I must be OK!!

*******************

barbara12

Kath what a brilliant poem , and thanks for sharing it..how do you feel when you read does it feel like you are talking about yourself, or someone else..its a long time to put up with Arthur..xx

tjt6768

excellent

kathbee

Thank you Barbra and Tony

It is a long time but I went un-diagnosed for 19 years, just put up with the awful pain in hands and feet, had blood tests but they didn't show anything, basically told to get on with it, until in 1998, I had the full blown RA and was diagnosed as 'Severe sero-positive RA. '

Many many drugs and potions and one hip and two knee replacements over the years, I live to tell the tale.

Currently having Tocilizumab infusions, 2 other biologicals didn't work as other DMARD's didn't (I always an awkward beggar)
See how this one goes, in fact thats where I am bound today to the hossy to get hooked up to the drug.

Take care all
Kath

stickywicket

Good stuff, kathbee. Why not stick it on he 'poetry thread' at the top then it will remain permanently?

mig

Cool poem,not sure if we have met,I'm Mig whatever others say about me well take it with a pinch of salt. i have a poem on the thread the only one i have done i rather like it,hope to hear some more from you. Mig

stickywicket

mig wrote:

whatever others say about me well take it with a pinch of salt.

Nonsense! A pinch of lycra is more up Mig's street

Kitty

Brilliant Kath, tells it just how it is.

I'm trying NOT to imagine mig in Lycra :shock:

tkachev

I joined AC 5 years ago and agree time flies!

Your poem is excellent and gets across the message of how misunderstood this illness can be. Hopefully your various operations and medications have helped and the pain has eased.


Elizabeth xxx

kathbee

Thank you lovely peeps.

Sorry Barbara, I mis-spelt your name.

x

marrianne

Its a great poem Kath ,a lot of us can relate to it xx

kathbee

marrianne wrote:

Its a great poem Kath ,a lot of us can relate to it xx

Thank you Marianne, sadly yes, it applies to a lot of us.
Kath
x

marrianne

Dear kath come back and post more xx

frogmorton

Fantastic poem - well DONE you Kath
Thanks for letting us read it
love
Toni xxx

kathbee

Marianne, I think my brain has stagnated somewhat since 2009

Blame it on old age or the meds, or anything, just got to blame something.

Frogs, You are one of the stalwarts on here and back in the day you had actually commented on the original entry of the poem. Hope you are ok love, and your daughter and your family are coping as well as can be expected.

You might even remember the daily blog that myself, Elna and another friend on here had going from around 2007 ( I had a different user name at that point) . Like I said where has the time gone!!

Kath xx

marrianne

Well hope you do get more inspiration Kath ,I am comeing very late to poetry,especially enjoying poetry about things we can relate to even difficult things I missed you poem the fist time around so it was good to bump it Marrianne xx