Post-Thanksgiving Versus My Psoriatic Arthritis

Our Thanksgiving this year was not a typical holiday. None of our three sons could come over on Thanksgiving so my husband and I were alone. However, late afternoon, we got a message from one of our sons saying he and his family would be coming over the next day to do their version of Thanksgiving with us. All the fixings and the turkey that had not been done previously would now need to be done to feed 4 adults and 3 children. Was I ready for that? Yes, I love the fact that they were coming. No, my body was not ready for all that cooking I would be doing. I know I could have told them no but that is not me. I will fight pain if it means getting to be with family.

How did my psoriatic arthritis fare with all of the cooking?

When I say I made all the fixings to go with the turkey, I went all out. I started cooking by making three pies and a banana pudding. That got followed up with making a banana bread that was supposed to be for William and I for the next two days. However, the bread also became a part of the desserts as well. By this point my back, which is where my psoriatic arthritis has been at the longest, was really beginning to give me fits and I was only halfway through the cooking I needed to do. I’m stubborn though and kept pushing forward. From there it was sweet potato casserole, corn, green beans with a pan of rolls being the final touches to go with the turkey. I loved cooking but my body was not loving me by this point.

Did my family know the pain I was in?

By the time my son and his family made it to our house I was finished cooking. Little did they know of the pain I was in at that point. I was determined that they would not know either. The mask we are all pretty good at wearing covered what I didn’t want them knowing. I smiled, laughed, and hugged each of them tightly when it was time for them to go. It was a great day in so many ways.

How much longer can I do Thanksgiving meals?

While I enjoyed spending time with my son and his family, I didn’t enjoy the pain. I wonder how many more years I can continue to cook for them all the way I want to. So far, my psoriatic arthritis is not controlled. I know I can ask them to do the cooking, but I enjoy it. I do not want to give it up. It’s now three days removed from all that cooking, and I am still in pain. I want my grandchildren to remember coming to my house for the holidays and eating all that great food. Memories from my childhood are filled with those types of family gatherings on the Holidays. I want to continue that tradition for my children and grandchildren as well. There might come a time when I need to turn that duty over to someone else but until then I am going to keep doing what I love.