Rheumatoid Arthritis Support Group

Yes I have had your same fears and I have had company for the holidays. Here is what I did. I pre made what ever I could days in advance. A little at a time. I scaled down on the variety of food offered as I always over do. I bought heavy duty Thanksgiving theme paper plates and cooked in foil pans so clean up was not so great. I put all the food out buffet style in the kitchen and had 2 tables decorated in the dining room that people could go sit at when they got their food. I actually asked for and accepted help. I was very tired at the end of the day but it felt worth it. I wish you all the best- good luck!

I host Thanksgiving every year, and have had as many as 17 people for dinner on Thanksgiving, and 10 the night before. This year, I'm hoping there will be 11 of us.

Make sure you get as much help as you need. Three years ago, I had people do all the chopping, and my brother lifted and moved the turkey as need.

Also, make sure you wash your hands frequently and ask that your guests do the same. Don't be shy about explaining that you're immune system is compromised.

Small kids present more of a health challenge, and maybe someone else has some suggestions. They're a joy to have around though.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday, so it's easy for me to stay on top of things. Do as much cooking in advance, as you can, and have others bring something, too.

Good luck and blessings.
bc

Yes and for Thanksgiving we all bring a dish to whomever house we ar having it at. It is so tough doing all of the cooking and with RA you will be tired and possibly start to hurt. Is your husband around.. If so he will need to take care of Mm and Dad. Start preparing what you can ahead of time and keep it simple. Let usknow ow it goes.

Make your your hubby knows your concerns and make sure he pitches in. I think other folks recommendations are great. I struggle with my nieces and nephews germ spreading all the time. It always seems at least one of them is sick. I do a lot of hand washing, load up on vitamin c and d when a crowd is coming over. Good luck..I hope it's more fun than discomfort! Lisa

I am a person who has a hard time not doing everything myself. I have to do it and Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday and use all my Grandma's recipes (once a year) and although it has taken me years to perfect, I do most of the chopping and preparations days before so I can just throw everything together and it works and helps to do that. Hubby of course helps but if I go slow and take breaks it works!

Renee

Being a male in an very old-fasioned family (the kind where the women handle all that) has its advantages. Sad, I know - so sad!

Friend my only advice is to keep it as simple as possible. And like Julia Child said, "Never explain, never complain." Well - I'm all for complaining, but do not ever feel like you have to apologize (explain) for any limitations you're up against now. Had your sisters-in-law been thoughtful at all, they would have offered to host the feast at one of their homes. Here where I live, we have a cafeteria that makes a delicious Thanksgiving dinner. You can either go to the cafeteria and eat there on T'giving day, go and get take-out Thanksgiving, or buy it the day ahead in catering-style foil containers and serve it at home just like you cooked it yourself. Compared with the price of groceries and the physical toll it takes on your body to prepare a big meal, it is worth the cost.

I am about 16 years out from my diagnosis, and I can remember that it was very difficult early on when I had to readjust my expectations of myself. You just need to be very gentle with yourself.

I love to cook but I also have gone out to eat for Thanksgiving many years. Most have all you can eat that day so no one complains about not getting enough. It is not bad. We plan a movie and dinner where we meet all the family half way so nobody has to drive far or clean up.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! I tradionally get up at 6:00am make my homemade stuffing and get the bird into the oven. Last year was particularly hard on me and I got my husband to help with the shopping, then do the chopping, lifting and setting of the table under my supervision. In the past I was obsessed with having everything immaculate in my house. Now I just wing it. Children can be a challenge, just try not to stress about it. It is too bad your relatives cannot relate to the fears you are experiencing. Get everyone to bring a dish. Is it possible for your in las stay with one of the other kids or is that not even an option? At any rate try not to stress ahead of time, just take it one step at a time and hopefully things will go smoother than you are expecting. hugs, marcia

One other suggestion. Grocery stores prepare entire thanksgiving meals. Posibly you want to go that route if you have to host the holiday. I have a friend who has done that for years.