It all started when my 2 year old daughter woke up with a
swollen elbow about ten months ago in Virginia.We had been told that she had everything from
growing pains to Septic Arthritis, an infection in the joint.During a big break between symptoms we had
been assured that she was absolutely ok and that we would not have any more
problems.Now we are in Singapore
and being told that our 3 year old has Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA).
We were initially skeptical about the new diagnosis.Her Pediatric Rheumatologist scheduled a
forty-five minute hydrotherapy session and all of our hesitation went
away.I was overjoyed to see my
daughter’s knee swelling reduce by 60 or 70% to its normal size and this was just
from having therapy in warm water.
My initial excitement slowly turned to anger when I
discovered that through all of the surgeries, antibiotics and misdiagnoses that
all she needed was some ibuprofen and hydrotherapy.My anger turned to relief because now I have
a name for what she had been experiencing.
With the correct diagnosis, we can possibly move to
cure.I truly believe that once you have
the proper diagnosis, the real work begins.I began to research Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis and all of the possible treatments. I was the super geek mom with a laptop and
dial-up internet connection in the hospital room, so that every time the
doctor’s mentioned a term that I did not understand I could research it.I wanted and needed to know everything there was to know about Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis.
It has been five and a half years since my daughter was
diagnosed with Junior Rheumatoid Arthritis and the need to research has not ended.As my daughter’s biggest advocate, I must
educate myself and be able to work with the doctors on her treatment
plans.There are always new drugs and
even the name of her condition changed to JIA (Juvenile Idiopathic
Arthritis).The name changed in the last
couple of years as an agreement around the world to have the same name for the
same condition.
It has been very helpful to immerse myself in everything
JRA/JIA.I visited many web sites, read
several books and joined the Arthritis Foundation.I am much more informed about the risks and side
effects of the treatments that we choose for her.Although we have not gotten to cure, we work with my daughter’s
doctors as a team and I know her cure is just a matter of time.
Hi!
Thank you for taking the time to write about your daughters condition. My daughter is 7 and I took her in a few months ago because her right pinky and second toe seemed swollen. Doctors told me to wait because she might have jammed them. I found it weird that she would have jammed two areas at the same time but I waited. I took her back this week and just yesterday received that some blood work came back slightly positive for joint inflamation. I got the news from the nurse so she couldn't answer my questions. I was simply referred to a Pediatric Rheum... So, I have been a online since yesterday trying to learn all I can. Your story gave me some relief that there is hope.
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