Battling through Rheumatoid Arthritis – Jodi Kunimoto

Kunimoto

If anyone out there suffers from rheumatoid arthritis (RA) you would know how painful it is in your joints.

Jodi Kunimoto is one such person who was diagnosed at age 27 and has lived with the disease for almost 2 decades.

“I never expected to have to deal with a chronic pain ailment up until the diagnoses,” Kunimoto said.  “I led a pretty active life and I was a leisure jogger and took aerobics classes three to four times per week before the onset of the disease.”

Kunimoto found it difficult to exercise shortly thereafter but made adjustments to deal with the pain.

“It was difficult to exercise for the pain and stiffness was unbearable at times,” Kunimoto said.  “It felt like I had it in all my joints of my body, especially my knees, elbows, wrists, neck, shoulders, and even the joints in my jaw would hurt.”

Kunimoto would also have mood swings as a result of RA.

“I also had mild depression due to the physical limitations that I had experienced at the time,” she said.  “I had also put on some weight because the steroids doctors prescribed to control the inflammation.”

Kunimoto found that getting out of bed in the morning was difficult and struggled with her normal exercise routine.

“I felt fatigued all day and after work, I’d need to sleep, I felt so tired,” Kunimoto said.

Although never participating in youth sports Kunimoto was active with the Honolulu based YMCA as a youth leader.   “Where body mind and spiritual development were emphasized,” she said.

Today Kunimoto works at the University of Hawaii at Hilo as an Academic and Career Advisor.

“I would not consider my job stressful,” she said.  “But the balance of working full time and care giving roles can be stressful as times.”

 Kunimoto’s brother died last November due to glioblastoma (brain cancer).  “When that happened my 84 year old mother, who was living with him had to uproot herself from Honolulu to come to live in Hilo,” Kunimoto said.

Balance of care has been made to consider adjustments for the entire Kunimoto household.

“It has been an adjustment for my daughter, spouse, and my mom,” Kunimoto said.  “Balance of marriage, care for myself and full time work can take its toll.”

Exercise has become a stress breaker for Kunimoto.

“As a mom and care-giver I also give myself permission to take care of myself,” Kunimoto said.  “During my early morning walk with my shelties I am spending time with my dogs, exercising them and me at the same time.”

After Kunimoto sees the family off for the day she starts her morning at the YWCA swimming pool.

“I  head to either to UH pool for lap swimming or the YWCA pool for water aerobics,” she said.  “If I head to the UH pool I may just also fit in a little bit  of light strength training before diving in, just so I can upkeep/build the muscle around my joints.”

Kunimoto doesn’t allow the wet weather of Hilo to interfere with her workouts.

The weather in Hilo isn’t a barrier to my daily walks outside,” she said.  “My family is consistently amazed how I avoid the heavy dose of rain on my walks and bike rides.”

She tells them that God knows that I need a walk so that He holds the rain off until she is done, according to Kunimoto.

“Actually though, I think I’ve learned like any other Hilo person to read the sky, and estimate how much time we have until it may  rain and when you’re not sure about it, don’t all of us Hilo  people carry umbrellas?”

As for diet Kunimoto is careful what she eats.

“I am careful about what I eat by limiting the amount that I eat,” she said.

“I eat what I like but have learned to put a limit on the amount I take in,” Kunimoto said.  “I watch that the scale doesn’t go over the point limit of no return for me.”

Kunimoto has found it easier to maintain than to lose weight for she has had a yoyo affair with dieting.

Rheumatoid arthritis is a long term disease that leads to inflammation of the joints and surrounding tissue.  It’s cause is unknown and it is an autoimmune disease which means the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks healthy tissue, according to Kunimoto.

“I got to the stage where I finally accepted my fate,” she said.  “The disease will not go away and I have to make a choice.  I have to get a handle on it and manage it.  This takes time and conscious effort, but I’ll get there.”

Kunimoto is making the most of what she has and looking on the positive side while exercising and maintaining a healthy diet.

“Having to face RA like any other chronic illness is probably one of the greatest lessons we will have in life,” Kunimoto said.  “It has taught me not to take your good health for granted, so take care of yourself, listen to your body, be patient with yourself and others, slow down if you need to and don’t sweat the small stuff.

Kunimoto can empathize with those going through similar life challenge.

“I can relate to those going through a similar process of their own physical, psychological, and spiritual challenges in life,” she said.

And someday should you happen to see someone facing his own challenges in life remember to smile say “woof” and never shy away from “’’Running with the ‘’Big Dog.”

Email to Big Dog at waiaeabigdog@aol.com

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Grey Matters at M.D. Anderson Hospital

HOUSTON, TEXAS – After being referred to see a team of doctors at the leading brain and cancer research center in the nation, my wife Randee and I were off to M. D. Anderson Hospital operated with the help of the University of Texas.

The idea was if we could get medical advice or treatment to slow down the progressive growth of the glioblastoma, a brain tumor that has now grown from the right side to invade the left.   It’s always good to get a different view and never accept what you are told by one or two doctors.

Despite a lifetime of exercise and a healthy diet I found my body being invaded.

Yes, I have done over 40 marathons and well over 500 races from the 5K to the half marathon and I couldn’t understand how this could be happening to me.

Cancer can affect anyone, regardless of how well they take care of themselves.   So why exercise and eat properly you might ask?

Recovery!

Yes, recovery, from those unexpected twist that life presents.

Since finding out I had brain cancer I have continued to exercise.  Of course I can’t run or jog like I used to, but I’ll walk as much as I can. 

Some days 3 to 4 miles and on others 6 to 7 miles.

Walking is just as good as running, in fact it might be better as it doesn’t impact your joints as much.

I’ve been told by doctors that if it weren’t for my conditioning I would not have been able to recover from the initial surgery at Queens Hospital so quickly.

This is why I continue to walk, do pushups and stretch on a regular basic.

While embarking on my trip to Houston I was told to be prepared to stay anywhere from 3 days to 5 weeks depending on how functional I was.

We were there for a total of 2 days and told future surgery to the left side of my brain was not an option as it was too dangerous.

I saw people that were in wheelchairs and walkers that needed assistance by family or friends, and a wide range of others that were being cared for by the medical staff.

I was one of the few that walked into the Hospital that had to pass a battery of mental and physical examinations that was put to me by an entire group of doctors.

The team of doctors decided that I was in a category called ‘highly functional’ and I attribute this to taking good care of myself.

Even while on the short stay in Houston we walked and tried to keep everything as normal as possible.

We were invited to start my next phase with a Clinical trial where treatment could be done from an oncologist in Hilo using a new combination of chemotherapy drugs. The Houston team felt I would do better being at home with friends and family and since both drugs are FDA approved I could receive my treatment here.

Not knowing the City of Houston didn’t prevent us from exploring and walking to various places.   We walked from the Hospital back to the hotel some 3 miles away. To get dinner we walked to the mall and back.

Exercise is good for me, it reminds of whom I am and it provides me with a positive attitude and the belief all will be well.  Being as normal as possible is important to me and nothing should ever interfere with that feeling.

I believe in exercise and will do it to the day I die

It has not failed me and I am a better cancer patient for it.

Granted some days are easier than others, but I will do what I can and as often as I can.

One thing that I did notice in the Lone Star State is there are an awful lot of large people and that must contribute to the number one health care problem in the country, “obesity”.

With obesity comes a host of preventable disease such as high blood pressure and Type II diabetes, things people could do something about with diet and exercise.

We all have choices and should we make the right ones it will come back and help you when you most need it.

I’ve made mine and never regretted it as it has paid big dividends most of my life.

Our quest for finding the best treatment available may bring us to Cedars Sinai Hospital in Los Angeles where they are doing other Clinical Trials as I am not soon to give up!

But one thing is a given, as long as I pack my pair of shoes you can be certain I will walk and exercise everyday because I truly believe in it.

With the support of many friends and family I am prepared for anything, but one thing for sure I will never give up.

(wear a grey ribbon to show support for brain cancer survivors and their families)