First Real Snow of the Season

Watch Out for the Snowballs! 

Winter doesn't officially start until Monday, but we woke up to a four-inch blanket of wet snow this morning. It made shoveling a chore, but it’s perfect for snowmen or a fort. I imagine there are plenty of snowball fights happening out there—though getting hit with a wet one is a great excuse for some 'revenge' by dropping snow down a friend's coat!

 

A Necessary Saturday Reset

Unfortunately, a cold finally caught up with me last night. It started with a sore throat, and while that has passed, the sneezing has begun. I headed to bed early last night, simply worn out. I felt a bit guilty sleeping until 10:00 this morning, but since it’s Saturday, I figured the rest was necessary. I still managed an hour of stretching and exercises in bed before getting up to get my blood circulating for the day.

 

Digestion Problems = Weight Loss

When Eating Becomes a Battle

Gaining weight has been a constant struggle lately—not because of an eating disorder, but due to a bile duct issue that went undiagnosed for two years. The pain after every meal became so intense that eating simply wasn't enjoyable anymore. In July, a surgeon found my bile duct was dilated to six times its normal size and then strictured so they inserted a stent to help the bile flow.

 

Persistence Through the Pain

While the stent was removed in October 2009 after clogging, the discomfort has recently returned. I’m fighting to not let the pain stop me from eating, but it’s a battle. At 5’9”, my weight dropped to 101 lbs last January. People told me I looked 'too thin,' but few understood that the pain was the real barrier. I’ve managed to gain 7 pounds since then, and I'm taking it one day at a time. 

 

Thanks for visiting, and happy surfing!"

Dusting Off the Blog: What I’ve Been Up To

Long Overdue Update

It has been over a year since my last post—November 2008, to be exact. I’m 49 now; a year older, though perhaps not much wiser! While I’m notorious for breaking New Year’s resolutions, I’m going to try to post twice a month. You heard it here first.

 

No More Tip-Toeing Around

A lot has happened since I was last here, most notably reconstructive surgery on my left foot. After walking on my toes for over 30 years, being able to stand with my foot flat on the ground feels nothing short of amazing.

 

Why Surgery Couldn't Wait Any Longer

My foot had reached a breaking point; over three decades, the bones had shifted so significantly that I had to use sponges to keep my toes from curling and digging into my shoes. I relied on custom-made shoes for years, but eventually, the ulcerated calluses became too much to manage. I knew it was finally time for surgery.

 

Four Major Corrections, One New Foot

My first surgery on August 4, 2008, involved four major corrections: flattening the protruding bones on the bottom of my foot, inserting pins to straighten my four hammer toes, removing a bunion, and fusing my big toe. The fusion was the hardest part to adjust to; because my big toe was now in a permanent, fixed position, both my walking boot and my subsequent custom shoes required a special indentation to ensure the toe never bore any weight.

 

 

Bracing for Impact—That Never Came

The pins in my toes ranged from four to over six inches long. When it came time to remove them, Dr. Lee clipped the white, pearl-like tips and told me he was ready to pull. I braced myself, eyes squeezed shut, chanting 'Oh no, oh no' in anticipation of the pain. Ten seconds later, I opened my eyes to tell him I was ready for the next one, only to find he’d already finished pulling all of them out!

 

Not Your Average Angel's Halo

My second surgery on October 24, 2008, was less extensive but far more painful. After thirty years of walking 'plantar fixed' (on my toes), my foot was stuck at a -42° angle rather than a flat 90°. To correct this, I was fitted with an external fixator—a 'halo.' It was held in place by six wires through my bones and two heavy bolts in my heel and shin for stability.

 

 

Bracing for the Unknown

The day after the 'halo' was installed, my surgeon shared a sobering concern: because years of RA had made my heel bone porous, he feared the wires might rip through as we adjusted the struts to bring my foot to 90°. I was grateful for the hospital's pain management at that moment; it kept my anxiety at bay.

 

Confined but Moving Forward

For 73 days, I was confined to a bed or wheelchair, relying on Spirit Medical Transport for every appointment. The most intense period was the two weeks spent turning the struts. Even in millimeter increments, the torque was so strong that my brother could feel the strain as he helped me.

 

One Down, One to Go!

When the halo finally came off on January 5, 2009, the relief was immense. I am no longer a 'ballerina' on my left foot—I can walk flat-footed! I never realized how incredible it would be to feel my heel with every step. My surgeons, Dr. Lee and Dr. DeCarbo in Columbus, were phenomenal. Though the recovery was painful and slow, Dr. DeCarbo’s patience was right: I just needed time. Now, I’m doing 110% better than I ever imagined. My next step (pun intended!) is to have my right foot done this April so I can be flat-footed on both sides by year’s end.

 

Hanging in There

"For most of my life, 'hanging in there' has been my motto. I’m not always doing fantastic, but I’m doing okay—and honestly, I’ve learned to be grateful for that. Having lived with rheumatoid arthritis since I was nine, I’ve had to slow down as the years pass. It was a hard transition for a girl who grew up a total tomboy, happiest when I was riding my blue Schwinn or playing kickball and 'Ghost in the Graveyard' with the neighborhood boys.

 

On the days I played with my neighbors, Jayne and Joyce, I had no interest in their games of 'house' involving frilly dresses or jewelry. Instead, I’d play the husband coming home from work. I never quite understood the appeal of Barbie dolls, either; mine sat in a closet for fifteen years before I passed it on to my cousin’s daughter. I hope Josie found the joy in it that I never did."

Nice to Meet You!

Life in North Star

Hello, my name is Becky Bensman. I am 45 years old and live in North Star, Ohio, a village of fewer than 300 people. Living in a small town has its trade-offs. The downside is that the nearest store is 20 miles away. The upside, however, is the incredible kindness; you can always count on a friendly smile and a warm "How are you doing?" when walking down the street. When I consider the traffic and impersonal attitude of larger cities, I know I’d rather be right here. This has been my home my entire life.

 

Finding a Purpose Online

When I first discovered that Google offered free blogs, I wondered, Would anyone actually be interested in what I have to say? I decided to give it a try regardless. I figured that perhaps my words could help someone else—or better yet, that someone else’s experiences might help me.

This led me to title my blog "Walking With God By My Side." As you can see from my photos, my body is "not normal," and I am the first to admit that. The "curves" I have are the result of living with Rheumatoid Arthritis since July 1970, when I was diagnosed at age nine.

My Journey with Faith and Health

I haven’t always handled my condition perfectly. As a child, I spent many days crying in frustration, asking, "Why me?" Even now, I struggle with the aches and pains of daily life. However, my perspective has matured.

If I could share one truth, it is this: I would not be walking today without my faith. God has guided me through every obstacle, including the discovery that nutrition and exercise make all the difference. When I tell friends that a healthy foundation is just as vital for arthritis as it is for diabetes or weight loss, they often look at me skeptically. But I have lived this truth for years, and I know it works.

 

The Early Years: Diagnosis and Struggles

My illness began after a family vacation to Wisconsin. My mother found a tick in my ear, and our family doctor initially diagnosed me with rheumatic fever. When antibiotics failed to help my stiff, swollen joints, my parents took me to Children’s Hospital in Columbus. There, a specialist diagnosed me with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis.

 

I was prescribed Cortisone, which made me feel much better but caused a devastating side effect: it suppressed my appetite. In three weeks, I dropped from a healthy 85 pounds to a "scrawny" 65 pounds. The doctor had to stop the medication, and I vividly remember the "withdrawal," pleading with my mother for the pills because they were the only things that took the pain away. It took over a year to regain that weight.

 

Surgeries and Setbacks

Between 1973 and 1978, I underwent various treatments, including gold injections that caused dangerous dizzy spells. Eventually, I turned to orthopedic surgery in Dayton:

• Left Hand (1975): The surgeon repaired my wrist and knuckles. While I cannot straighten my fingers, I can now close my hand. Though I am naturally right-handed, I became ambidextrous out of necessity and use this hand for my computer mouse.

• Right Hand (1976): My knuckles and joints were replaced with plastic and fused. Because my hand cannot open wide enough to hold a mouse, I use it primarily for writing.

• Knees and Hips (1978): By my junior year of high school, I could only stand for 30 seconds at a time. I had both knees replaced in June 1978. Unfortunately, due to the use of casts after surgery, my knees never regained their flexibility. In August, I had my right hip replaced with a steel joint.

 

Because my knees do not bend fully, I still cannot sit or stand from a standard chair. I rely on specialized equipment: a "dentist" style office chair, a raised commode, a lift chair in my living room, and a lift seat in the car.

 

The Turning Point: Nutrition

By 1979, I had been in a wheelchair for eighteen months. I graduated high school through tutoring, but the pain was too great to consider work or college. At the time, I didn't realize my diet of junk food was making my inflammation worse.

 

That May, my parents met a woman named Pat Kremer, who recommended a chiropractor, Dr. E.R. Shore. He told me that to feel better, I had to eliminate sugar, salt, white flour, pork, and preservatives. It was a massive change, but I stuck to it. Within three months, I was back on my feet and walking with crutches. Twenty-seven years later, that regimen remains the foundation of my life.

 

A World Opened by Technology

Computers have been my lifeline. From my first Commodore 64 in 1979 to the Mac mini I use today, technology has changed everything.

 

In my early twenties, my life revolved around watching four different soap operas a day; I was so engrossed in those fictional stories because my own life felt so limited. The internet changed that. It widened my vision, allowing me to research, learn, and stay connected with loved ones via email. I am so grateful for the people who continue to innovate—it has truly enriched my life tenfold.