JADE IS 17 AND WE MADE IT!

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Collette

Posted Sunday, November 09, 2003 4:14 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:27 PM
Posts: 5, Visits: 0

Jade was dx with JRA and ankylosing spondylitis (with all the other itis' too ) when she was about 10, of course she had problems way before that! Jade would hurt her ankles and wrists a lot, she sprained her foot a couple of times...oh I remember those days when I thought surely I would get a phone call asking about child abuse! My poor little girl was dx with poly arthritis...she never complained! For some reason these kids are troopers. She is an awesome child, had to go on hospital/homebound a couple of years, the last was her sophomore year in highshool, she is a junior now. Next year she'll be a senior! Oh, she has grown so fast and furious! We've gone through teachers who thought she was faking, doctors who thought we were both nuts and illness after illness that wore down her immune system, but she made it. She is on SSI and has come to terms with going to college to be able to do something at home. She is engaged to a sweet boy who acknowledges her strengths and accepts her weaknesses. Her hair has fallen out, so we dyed the rest; she's puffed up from steriods, so we bought bigger clothes; somedays are rough, so she missed school; she got mononucleosis, so she spent time in the hospital; her ankles were not strong, so she wore braces; she got depressed, so we got a dog and counseling; doctors didn't concur, so we found new ones; she knew where she hurt, so I listened; and she grew up, so I watched! I never thought that the day would come that I would say "Jade you have an appointment with the rheumy today, let me know what he says!", but it has. She goes to her own doctors, takes her own Enbrel injections, drives, and smiles a lot. She is an awesome kid! Any child that goes through that much pain and doesn't complain...much, is an inspiration to me. I'm 42 years old and was just recently dx with RA and it hurts....it hurts a lot, but the worst hurt was when the rheumy told me that I am the reason that Jade has JRA....that's ok, it's not my fault! I wouldn't wish this on anyone, but I will draw from her strength...on days when it's hard to get up...I think of how much she went through. My hero is my daughter, Jade who is 17 years young! We made it this far, we'll keep going. I love her so much. I remember the days when I thought we'd never get this far...for those of you who want to reach myself, Collette or Jade, please email Kajunstar@usa.com Thanks for listening!

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TerryB

Posted Sunday, November 09, 2003 5:27 AM

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Last Login: Thursday, July 31, 2008 12:31 PM
Posts: 630, Visits: 0

Thanks Collette. We need to hear success stories. I wish for a bright future for you and Jade. Terry

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