I’m gleaning, in search of a diet. There’s got to be a way to beat this thing. Or at least, beat it down for a while. Just a little while. I find that Rheumatoid Arthritis can reduce your life span. I’m OK with that. I’m not out for more years. I just want the years I got left to count. To count for something.

I would rather be productive than just take up space. I don’t want to be a burden, on anyone. I would prefer pain to that. I know that is not my choice to make, but I can at least make my wishes known. And I have.

So, I sped read a book today, all about using diet to fight autoimmune diseases, one of which is RA. That is an ironic word, autoimmune. A fight against yourself. Even if you win, you lose.

It was good reading and led me to a list of my favorite foods. How lucky is that? I crave fruit and that is tops on the list. I could live on fruits and vegetables for the rest of my life. However long that may be.

Tomorrow I will shop with a new shopping list in hand. Into the cart will go apples, apricots and cherries, which I love. I can have all citrus and sugar, maybe I’ll start drinking fresh lemonade along with orange juice. I can still have my tea, though; can’t face my day without my tea.

Peaches, pears and plums, oh my! And lo and behold, alcohol is allowed. Won’t have to give up my occasional glass of Frangelico. It’s something to look forward to; I hide the bottle in my office. It’s sweet and tempting.

Turkey and beef are included, along with various fish. My vegetables, on the other hand, are reduced to carrots, celery and lettuce. Oh well, I will make do.

It is a three tiered diet. Chocolate, what I call my medicine, is on the second tier. I have to wait till I feel better before I move on to the second tier foods. So I cheated, had my last piece of chocolate as I write this.

I will say goodbye to chocolate as long as I can say goodbye to this hacking cough. Let go of my lungs, RA! You can’t have them.

Not yet.