"Battling Adversity: My Resilient Journey with Rheumatoid Arthritis and Interstitial Lung Disease”

I had a flamboyant life with frequent travel across Nordic, Europe and India. By 2007 at the age of 43 I became 92 kgs struggled to even tie my own shoelaces. One day while in a Chennai cab I saw a big billboard of actor Shahrukh Khan flashing well-defined muscles of his trimmed abdomen for a Hindi movie “Om Shanti Om”. That was a trigger for me to look after my fitness. It took me less than six months of hard work and discipline to shape up without any external help. I shredded 24 kgs and the hard work & discipline continued. Life was even better till in November 2018 while in US I started having stiffness in my bones and muscles. I mistook it for side effects of intense exercise and excessive travel. All my joints begin to swell and fingers to deform. Suddenly I could not even walk. I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) an autoimmune disease. The journey with RA started with the shock of diagnosis. The realization that my immune system was attacking my own body was overwhelming.

?Me and my doctor agreed to begin with an un conventional treatment of giving me a small dose chemotherapy to weaken my immune system. Additionally I was given a regular flu vaccination to protect against frequent chest congestion because of the weaker immune system. In three months’ time I was again on my feet with random wheezing and occasional pain. My bones, muscles stiffness were gone and fingers deformation reversed. My medication continued for long.?RA acceptance was a gradual process, as I had to come to terms with the fact that my life would be forever altered. It meant adjusting my expectations, evaluating my abilities, and acknowledging the need for lifelong management of the condition.

?2019 was very tough for me with many health and other personal challenges that came across like never before. There have been moments of frustration, sadness, and even anger when confronted with the limitations and unpredictability of the disease. Coping with the physical pain, the fear of flare-ups, and the adjustments required to maintain a semblance of normalcy have tested my emotional resilience. However, I have also learned to embrace moments of gratitude, finding joy in small victories and the support of loved ones.

?In February 2021 while I was in USA I started having an un comforting cough and breathlessness particularly during my morning exercise and in the afternoon too. Although I took COVID vaccination I was cautioned to be mindful for any respiratory infection. Despite all the caution & protection I caught up with COVID omicron in December 2021. Although I survived but COVID left me with Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD). It is up for debate that whether RA caused ILD or otherwise! Covid was definitely a big trigger for inflammation of either of it.

ILD manifests through symptoms such as breathlessness, chronic cough, fatigue, and decreased lung capacity. Coming to terms with the chronic nature of the disease required immense strength and acceptance. These physical limitations have significantly impacted my daily life. Simple tasks like climbing stairs, walking long distances, engaging in physical activities that were once effortless, or even having a conversation, became arduous challenges. ILD’s impact on my relationships has been profound. The need to prioritize self-care and manage energy levels has sometimes meant declining social invitations or missing out on important events. Some relationships have become stronger, as empathy and understanding have grown, while others have been strained due to misunderstandings or a lack of awareness about ILD. It has also prompted open conversations with loved ones about my condition, fostering a support system that understands and accommodates my limitations.

In April 2023 after almost 4 years my RA medication (chemotherapy) was withdrawn to protect my other vital organs like heart, liver and kidney from drug toxicity; luckily all of them are fine as of now.

Living with RA and ILD has been a challenging journey, but it has also shaped me into a stronger and more resilient individual who embraces life's challenges with courage and grace. While ILD has imposed physical limitations, emotional turmoil, and required significant adjustments, I refuse to let it define my entire existence. I have learned to appreciate the simple joys in life, cultivate gratitude for each breath, and find purpose in advocating for others. It has taught me invaluable lessons about strength, perseverance, and the ability to find beauty in the face of adversity.

ILD diagnosis could have easily led me to believe that my aspirations were over, but instead, it ignited a newfound determination within me. My resolve to restart my business journey at the age of 59 after being diagnosed with ILD has been a testament to resilience, adaptability, and unwavering determination. Despite the challenges posed by my health condition, I embraced the opportunity to reinvent myself and continued to pursue my entrepreneurial aspirations. It has also fuelled a desire in me to inspire others facing similar challenges. I wish to actively engaged in awareness campaigns, shared my journey through public speaking, and utilized digital platforms to advocate for inclusivity and support for entrepreneurs with chronic illnesses. By sharing my story, I aimed to inspire and empower others to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams despite serious health setbacks.

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