Arthritis Insight-Member Stories-Randara

Randara's Story

I was born on November 1, 1981, that will make me 20 the next time we see November. I reckon, just to clear it up now, that I should tell you about my name. I love it, it is unique, and I am a unique person. I can thank my Daddy for that name, because he is the one who thought of it. His name is Randy, my Mom's name is Tamara put the two together and you get Randara. Okay, anyway enough with that. When I was very small I fell from my crib (do not ask how), and ended up with only a twisted knee. The days went by and the swelling had not gone down at all. This started to really worry my Mom, so she took me back to the hospital. The people there kept saying that there was nothing wrong with me and that she was just paranoid. So, with no luck there she took me back to her doctor in Mississippi where she grew up, and where I was born. (we were living in Illinois at the time) He ran all kinds of test including one that I still remember, because it was so painful. That would make it my earliest memory at 18 months. He diagnosed me with Juvenile
Rheumatoid Arthritis. I grew up in Illinois going from one hospital to another, knowing that something was wrong with me, but not really understanding it. The only thing that I really understood was the fact that the doctor was saying I would be in a wheel chair at 10, and me understanding that I would not be. I was on all of these drugs back and forth, again I did not have a lot of understanding for that stuff, i only recall taking gold (pill form) and metho at the age of 6 and 7. I also knew that they could hurt me really bad in the future. God's grace poured upon me during my 4th grade year. We moved to South Carolina (warmth!!!) and i went into remission. I did not see a doctor until I turn 19 (very recently, will get back to this) mainly because there were no Rheumatologist in Iceland. Yep Iceland!! I spent my high school days there freezing in the cold weather...brrrrrr. However, it was there that I met my Fianc?, Frank who I will be marrying in a year. So, it was not a total loss. I am now living in South Carolina where I am getting my English Degree. I am currently on Enbrel, folic acid, napreson(SP?), and vitamins. I am happy, and I am not in a wheel chair. My advice to any new victim of JRA :NEVER LET THE DOCTORS TELL YOU THAT YOU CAN'T..., OR THAT YOU WONT..., OR THAT YOU WILL...
~Randara K