Life in Washington

What an adventure it’s been.  It has been awhile since I have posted a blog entry. A lot has taken place since our arrival in Sedro Woolley, Washington. When we arrived here in May the first thing we needed to do was to get our motorhome settled into an a space that will be home until we have a new home. Mission accomplished.  It is taking longer than anticipated getting a home built. Who knew it doesn’t “just happen”!! But we will get there. In the meantime we are comfortable, happy and don’t mind our tiny home.

From the time we arrived up until just a few weeks ago, I have not shared much on social media due to the fact that I had an unfortunate health setback and was literally unable to.  I normally don’t share or talk a lot about my health issues but some who know me pretty well are aware that I have been dealing with Rheumatoid Arthritis for several years. Diagnosed at twenty-three, I didn’t start having many or severe symptoms until about ten years ago. I have been on multiple medications over the years fighting this disease, one being Humira which has been a great help. Humira is an extremely expensive injection that I have fortunately been able to get assistance from its maker to make it available to me. Between traveling, paperwork and changing Rheumatologists I have been unable to get the medication since March. My new Dr. is wonderful and has me on alternate drugs at this time while we work on getting me back on Humira.  I didn’t realize how much it really helped until I had to go without.  I fell into a terrible flare up (the term for the pain is terrible and I am miserable). It continued to only get worse over the weeks. 

Most people are familiar with the term Rheumatoid Arthritis, but arthritis is only one of the symptoms of this debilitating disease often mistaken for the more common osteoarthritis.  Rheumatoid arthritis is an incurable, chronic autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks itself.  It attacks the joints but also other parts of the body including, skin, eyes, lungs, blood vessels and heart. It affects the lining of the joints and eats away at the bone under them. It causes terrible bouts of fatigue. When active these are called flares.  This summer I went into what seemed to be a never ending severe flare. I became unable to function on my own. Many mornings I could not get out of the bed without help, many days needing help to get dressed, or just step into the shower. Without the help of my very loving and caring husband I would have not been able to leave the bed on some days. We both had many sleepless nights. I honestly have never felt pain like this before, it was quite near unbearable. Moving to a new town, it was difficult to get in with a Rheumatologist, counted the days but got a really good doctor that I am ver happy with. (The health care situation here is very good).  I am now on medication to keep it at least under control and give me back some normal days until I get back on my original medications.  We have more days ahead to get me hopefully to a point of remission even for just periods of time.   I just wanted to share more information on this terrible disease and what it is capable of doing.  There is a good chance that someone in your family or someone you know might have RA as it effects around 1% of the world population. Most people with RA do not look sick, it is mostly invisible on the outside. 

We had a beautiful trip to Washington although I was not able to paint and sketch as I had planned and have not be able to do much since being here.  But… I am feeling better and plan to get back to what I am passionate about soon.  My brain is literally stacked with paintings that i need to get to canvas!

We absolutely love Washington and Sedro Woolley.  Forty minutes gets us to the water one way and into the mountains the other!  Ninety minutes to the city, give or take an hour LOL, as Bobby says you better have gas, an empty bladder and patience! But after you get there it is a fun, beautiful place to visit there is so much to do and see! The beauty of northern Washington is overwhelming.  Very much a resemblance to West Virginia that is makes us feel not so far away.  There are so many places to visit and we have to remind ourselves we live here and dont have to see it all in few weeks!

We had the pleasure of having friends Cheri and Tommy visit last month… it was so great to have friends here with us. We do very much miss our friends from home.  We miss our musician and artist friends and the events we were involved with. I love seeing posts and keeping up with things in Beckley.

We will continue to post photos and things going here with the Holley’s but please feel free to message, post, email…whatever to keep in touch.

Please dont forget to add your name IN your message.

Till next time, love to all,  Beni and Bobby

The View 

Family outing 

Movie night by the fire