You are here

Hi, Girlfriends...

KittyKat's picture

I'm so sorry I haven't been blogging. SO MUCH has happened.
I think I mentioned I was going to Myrtle Beach (Aug. 9); my
daughter became very ill. She is 16. Sore joints, etc.
Long story short, she was just diagnosed with JRA (Juvenile
Rheumatoid Arthritis). In May she was on a medal stand getting
a second place award for pole vault in district competition.
Now, she is on medicine for LIFE. It's amazing how life changes in just a few weeks. She WILL live a normal life, on
meds, she WILL be able to pole vault again. This has just been
a huge shock. ANYONE who has any input on JRA or has been
thru this, I truly appreciate anything you have to say or offer.

On that note, it is amazing how such a life-changing experience just changes EVERYTHING. Life is truly TOO SHORT
to worry about "whether my SDs like me" or not. I really could NOT CARE LESS. Of course, this is causing tension in
my marriage as I really don't CARE anymore about jumping thu
hoops to make other people happy. I have a whole NEW life
style to get used to. I have phone calls to make, I have to
drive to Philadelphia at least once a month to take my daughter to her rheumatologist. I still have to get up for work and be DYNAMIC. I have to remind my daughter to take her
meds. The way I look at it, if my DH were truly MY PARTNER,
he'd be much more concerned about ME right now than his
daughters. The jury is out on that one. And, only time will
tell as to whether my marriage will last.

Five, I am SO SORRY I wasn't there regarding your SD dilemma.
As I read your latest blog about your ongoing saga, I couldn't
help but feel your pain regarding your special son. As you look at all the enabled BRATS walking this earth that you have
done all in your power to try to appease, there is that one
special child in your life who can't DO all of the things that
his spoiled stepsisters can. I still haven't even had time to
GRIEVE my daughter's condition. Again, it is not the end of the WORLD, but it is FOR LIFE. She WON'T have the same life as
everyone else. She will want to have children some day, but
the Methotrexate that she will have to take can cause birth
defects. I think I just need time to let all of this sink in.
The diagnosis was just made last Thursday 8/28.

For all of you in harm's way regarding the hurricane, my heart
is truly with you. Please be safe.

Time to just VENT. Life just keeps throwing curve balls.
We'll all survive, but the road shouldn't have to be so hard.

Comments

Chel Bell's picture

You & your daughter are in my prayers, take the time for yourselves that you need, you will need eachother more than ever on this new path that life has put you on. Here is a story, my Ex's grandpa was diagnosed in his early 20's with rheumatoide arthritis, and went on to live his whole adult life with it. Back then they did not have the treatments they do now, and he lived with the pain. He had 2 children (my ex's mom& her brother) stayed married happily to the same wonderful woman. Created a buisness that is still being run by the family today. He drove a car, and worked till the day he died. I was lucky to meet him, he passed a few months after my ex & I got together. After he passed we found out he also earned a purple heart in the war, we never knew that....but we knew he was a fighter. The thing that amazed me was his humor. He was so funny, wonderful to talk to. My ex misses him still, he passed in Nov. 1991, He lived a full and accomplished life. It is a hard road, and I pray that god gives you and your daughter the strength that you need. Bless you."~waiting on the world to change~"

StepLightly's picture

Hang in there. My good friend was diagnosed with JRA at 14 -- she is now 40 with a healthy 11-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy. Having kids does take it's toll on a mom with RA, but her doc had her get pregnant when she wasn't on meds and in a remissive state. May want to ask your daughter's doc about that. She will be great! Blow off the SDs -- your daughter needs you now.

now4teens's picture

I am so sorry to hear about your daughter. I know this must have been quite a shock for you. I'm sending you a PM...

"If you have never been hated by a child, you have never been a parent."
-Bette Davis

Most Evil's picture

I saw a show on this once where it comes up that fast. I am sorry and hope you both can eventually adjust to a point where it is manageable. I don't know anyone personally who has it but just wanted to offer my sympathy . . .

"A lie told often enough becomes the truth." - Vladimir Lenin