Super Quick Update

Alex is on day 8 of recovery today.  It was also her first day back to school.  I let her sleep in a bit since she has been getting up at about 9 am most days.  I also went in and talked to the school nurse about her restrictions and that if she got too tired or in pain to just call me. She has texted me to tell me she is tired but no pain was mentioned. She really did not want to go this morning but I expected that.  I wouldn't want to go back either.  She has been in heaven (and yes pain) laying in bed watching tv, eating yummy things and getting lots of extra love and attention. Its hard to give that up for school and homework!!

So, now that this is behind us we will be facing her next challenge that unfortunately will never go away.  Her Psoriatic Arthritis.  There is a lot of the unknown ahead of us but we will get through it just like we did this. 

I am still looking to connect with other families with children living with PA.  I have several great friends that have kids with JRA and have received some great information from them.  It would be nice to kinda know what to expect for her future.  So, if anyone is reading this that has a child with PA or was diagnosed as a teen with PA please contact me.

Arthritis or Normal Aches and Pains?

So yesterday Alex complained a few times about pain.  The question is whether it was from the arthritis or from exercise.  She only has P.E. twice a week and yesterday was one of them.  Her school has a full gym...it's like walking in to 24 hour fitness!  They were allowed to "work out" yesterday instead of playing a game of volleyball or running laps like we did as kids!  Anyway, she did the treadmill and some sort of solo flex machine.  I am hoping she just over did it.

Her complaints involved her left ankle, knee and right hand (which is probably from writing).  I have noted it and will be watching to see if it hurts again today. 

Thanks to my awesome new followers! Aunt Anne, Barbara Perdue and The National Arthritis Foundation!  If you would like to follow my blog and get updates when I post a new entry just click on the "follow" button on the right hand side.

Have a great holiday weekend! 

Reality

When I woke up this morning I quickly ran through what was on todays to-do list.  Like most days it consisted of get up, get Alex ready for school, laundry, work, grocery store etc.  Then all of a sudden it hit me....my daughter was diagnosed with a chronic illness yesterday!  It was such a weird feeling.  Like someone dropped a pile of bricks on my chest. 

Like I mentioned yesterday the best thing we have going right now is that Alex is pain free.  She does not feel ill, she does not look ill, she does not have to take any medication at the moment.  But, she still has a chronic illness. It's hard to know how to feel.  I feel sad for her and selfishly for us too.  As much as I feel optimistic about how far treatment has come in the past few years I feel doom  on the horizon.  She may get on a great medication and never have a painful symptom in her life. Or, things could be very bad.

All I can do is stay completely optimistic and positive for her.  I can pray, comfort and love her and that is what I plan to do.

As far as Alex goes, she is 12.  She is more worried about her Junior High dance tomorrow night than this stupid thing that has given her big knuckles! She told me yesterday that she does not want to know the extent of what could happen to her if the illness progresses.  She said she just wants to take it all in as it comes and that is what I will try to do too.