No, not to the family. They've heard me preach it (as have y'all) for a while now. Got the tree, decorations, lights, etc out and my 12yr daughter put it up first of Dec. Got all the presents, wrapped them (i do that) and got them under the tree and then we loaded up on 12/21 and drove down (i drive) to Mom's in Sebring, FL (71/2 hr trip). Momma had gotten the things to eat that I'd asked for ....she apologized about me "having to eat that stuff", and she apologized for all of them eating "good food, cookies, candy, etc, in front of me". I kept telling her it was my choice, pain or food. Then on 12/23 she told me of a man that lived a few streets over in the park (one of those double-wide retirement places) that had RA and that he had been really curious about my diet. I suggested that we go and see him so we jumped into the golf cart and went. His wife met us at the door. He said that today was a pretty good day because he could get out of the chair and greet me.

I immediately saw the reflection of immense internal pain in his eyes and the look of desperation on his wife's face. I slowly and carefully related my story; taking virtually no antiinflams, only plaquenil (lowest dosage). He said he was on Pred, MTX, Folic, and some other stuff for 2 yrs....reminded me of what I've read here. He asked how I did it. I went through the list of common nightshades; potato, tomato, red/green peppers, spices from all and how to recognized hidden paprika on labels, potato glutens usage, almonds, cashews, sodas, red meat, processed sugar and why not to eat them. Cross contamination. Don't eat tuna that has been packed in water or oil if there is 'veg broth' on the label. Etc, etc. Forget about the alcohol, purge your body of crap foods stored in the fat cells and that the alcohol to deal with pain actually worsened it. Told what spices to use when cooking (basically salt, black pepper, rose mary, sage and lemon). To eat lots of pineapple, walnuts, pecans, white meats, fish. That food should be looked upon as a necessity and not a pleasure. His wife and I went to the fridge and went through all the stuff. He said that the way I looked and moved he was going to try it...right after the holidays. His wife smiled gently and said that he was going to start right now as a Christmas present to himself and to her.

I hope he does it. I think it'll work if he does. If so it'll be one of the best presents he's ever had. Unbeknownst to them they gave me a huge gift as well. Looking in their faces brought back the memories of the pain, the memories of my wife and loved ones looking so desperate and helpless.......these memories reminded me not to cheat.

It's not easy. Yet dealing with the pain is much harder. I wish you all a great, pain free Christmas and New Year.