Howdy!  Philomena here.  Philomena Graves.  Hope this finds you well.

I'm afraid I'm not at my best.  I am in the hospital as I write this, in the pediatric ward; I woke up the other day with awful joint pain, a horrible rose-colored rash on my face, cheeks, and chest, and a very high fever.  I was also extremely nauseated.  These are things that usually happen to me whenever I have a flare, which is when my disease is active.

I'd say it is active:  otherwise, I wouldn't be in the hospital.

Don't know when I'll get out; I just know I feel horrible (though not as much as I did when I first went in two days ago).

The doctors and nurses are trying their level-headed best to relieve my pain, thanks to shots or IV's; however, it really doesn't seem to be helping.  My joints are hot, red, and resemble baseballs; they make me hurt just looking at them!  They look awful!  I also have this fever and feel like I'm about to throw up; just the thought of food is enough to have me ring for the nurse, so she can get me an emesis (throw up) basin, so I don't mess up the bed.

I've lived with this stuff since I was small.  You think by now I'd be used to it.  Nope.  Not on yer life.  One flare is about as bad as the other, especially when it's bad enough to throw me into the hospital!

The hospital is like my second home; I can't tell you how many times I've been there; I've lost count!

I was supposed to have started school last week.  Guess I will have to start later, until I get out of this place!  I just hope my teachers or friends aren't mad at me; I can't help having juvenile rheumatoid arthritis!!

I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy!  (Well, except maybe Jordan Sisko, but that's another story altogether!  She's always been the bane of my existance; she hates me and is always making fun of me.)

Jordan is the class president; she thinks she's hot stuff, especially since she's rich and has been around the world on cruises or family trips.  Her daddy owns a bank, and her mother's a high powered attorney.  She's also a beauty queen; she's won numerous child beauty pageants since she was small; she lords it all over us that she's met many famous celebrities and stuff.  I can't stand her!!!!

My mom says it's not nice to wish arthritis on someone, but she doesn't know what grief that Jordan Sisko puts me through!  I wish she could spend a day at my school, just to see what I have to put up with on account of Jordan Sisko!!  She's a thorn in my side!!

Well, the doctor, Dr. Ameesh, is here; he wants to see how I'm feeling.  I guess all he has to do is see my green face or see my baseballs, and that should give him a clue.  I will write in here again soon; hopefully I'll be out of the hospital by then.  Just keep me in your prayers; I really could use some relief from this pain!!

~Love, Philomena.  :(