I am out of the hospital! I just got home yesterday, and although I am ~STILL~ feeling quite sore, I ~AM~ feeling ~MUCH~ better!!
I was in because I had another flare. (I was in for over a week with this latest episode.) I have been having more of those lately; it seems that they have gotten worse each time I have them; and it seems that all of this started since last year, last September 11. (Meaning the bad flares; I've had flares before that have been mild, but the flares I've had lately have been bad ones; and several have put me into the hospital, just like this last one.)
According to Dr. Hanson, who is my pediatric rheumatologist, I may be needing surgery on my knee by next year. She says that my knee joint is really bad, and I kinda' have to agree..my walking is definitely getting worse, even with my crutches. (I have been using my wheelchair more lately because it is just too painful for me to walk on my crutches; and the pain is so bad at times it sometimes takes my breath away.) And the pain is often bad. I may also need surgery on my hip. She is concerned about that, too.
Great. Just what I need to hear. Surgery! YUCK. But not to fear; I have had surgery before, for different things, so it's not like I HAVEN'T "been under the knife" before! Still, it's ~NOT~ fun, and I ~HATE~ coming out of anesthesia; I feel so sick and so sore it isn't a ~BIT~ funny!!
But she says that if I DON'T have the surgery I ~WON'T~ be able to walk ~AT ALL~, and I would have to spend the rest of my days in a wheelchair; and I want to walk; so maybe it will be a good thing to have this surgery. But it will mean more time in bed for me.
YUCK and DOUBLE YUCK!!!!
At least I am no longer on the I.V.; THAT thing is a ~GIANT~ pain in the rear, especially if I happen to hit it against something. OW!!!! ~PAIN LINES!!~ (NOT GOOD with someone with an I.V. in her hand, especially if that person so happens to be suffering from ARTHRITIS!!! DOUBLE WHAMMY!!!!!)
--Written by Ronee' L. Reaux (9 1/2 Years).
thought i'd let you know how my little character is doing. not doing too well at the present time, as you can see, but she is definitely "hangin' in there"; she is NOT one that gives up that easily!!
she has *EARNED* her nickname of "the 'don't give up' kid"!!
