To Tell the Truth: Pain & Gratitude

My sister-in-law Chrisandra is visiting for the weekend from D.C.  Wanting to do something fun with the kids, we went on a day trip to Kure Beach, NC about 2.5 hrs away.  I tried my best to prepare, bringing towels, suntan lotion, diapers, extra clothes, motion sickness pills, etc.  I made sandwiches and brought healthy snacks like Shakeology energy bites, veggies, fruit, nuts, etc.  I thought I was so prepared.
I was wrong.
About 45 minutes down the road, I realized what I'd forgotten.  I forgot to take my morning dose of prednisone, the steroid I'm on to control my arthritis symptoms.  Sometimes I'll forget to take it and remember a few hours late.  I end up hurting for a few hours while I wait for the medication to kick in.  But this time it was impossible to turn back.  And I'd purposefully left my purse (where I keep a few extra pills in case I forget and am away from home) because I didn't want to carry it around on the beach. 
I knew I was in trouble.
My main arthritic symptoms are pain in my hands and wrists.  My hands, fingers and wrists swell and get so painful that doing anything becomes close to impossible.  I tried to be smart all day, letting my husband rub the suntan lotion on the kids and letting Chrisandra help me change the baby.  I didn't even drive home.  But by the time I walked in the door and took the prednisone 12 hours late, I was practically in tears because of the pain. 
I was useless for the rest of the night, being unable to help bathe the children and unpack our stuff.  I put my heavy wrist bands on my wrists and curled up in a ball on the couch.  I waited for the medication to kick in. 
As I lay there, I remembered how I used to live with that kind of pain EVERY DAY.  I still struggle daily with pain and physical limitations, but nothing like what it was before.  I no longer have weekly shots of arthritis medication.  I'm on the lowest dose of prednisone I've been on since my diagnosis 6 years ago.  And lately I've been able to do small things that used to be impossible.  Little things that seem trivial to normal people, but are a big deal for me: I can now operate a stapler, unscrew some water bottles and carry the laundry basket around the house. 
In short the past six months I've been the best I've been for years.  And as I lay there in horrible pain, feeling like my hands were literally on fire, I was struck by a deep gratitude for the increased health I've been blessed with. 
It's still a daily struggle.  I still have trouble changing my baby's diaper, buttoning my shirt or putting my daughter's hair in a pony tail.  But that horrible, debilitating pain...it's MUCH less now.
There are a lot of reasons for my symptoms getting better.  Part of it is the warmer weather.  I'm eating much healthier now.  Exercising has done wonders for all my joints, increasing the blood flow in my body.  But I honestly believe the main contributing factor is Shakeology. 
I take it faithfully EVERY SINGLE DAY, sometimes twice a day.  Just 2 weeks after I started Shakeology, my hands were noticeably less inflamed.  I'm wearing my wedding ring again, which is totally amazing.  Shakeology is helping people in so many different ways: lowering cholesterol, speeding up metabolism, helping to regulate digestion.  It has helped me immensely with getting me to eat healthier and to lose weight.  But the main benefit I've experienced is reduced inflammation.  All my arthritic symptoms have lessened, and I am SOOO grateful.
So thank you Beachbody, I am grateful every moment for your product, Shakeology!
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For more information on Shakeology, watch these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yaFMBDLLsqk
 http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/angiepete?bctid=614712694001
 http://beachbodycoach.com/esuite/home/angiepete?bctid=16664447001

Also you can see an ingredient list (pdf file on the bottom of the home page), more information and you can place an order on my website, www.myshakeology.com/coachangiepete