A Diagnosis | Personal

A Diagnosis for Aislynn | Personal

Admittedly, it’s been a really rough week for my family. Unfortunately, I found out yesterday that my oldest brother, Tim, had passed away on Monday, and if you’ve been keeping up with me on social media and the blog, you know that we’ve been dealing with some ongoing medical issues with my sweet baby, Aislynn. If you want to catch up, check out parts one and two on the blog! So many things have been going on, and it just sort of feels like things are happening…and happening…and happening…and I’m honestly waiting for a break.

Earlier today, we had Aislynn’s first rheumatology appointment, and we left with a diagnosis. Aislynn’s doctor has officially diagnosed her with juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), and this week, she will start on a dose of medicine given once a week. We are extremely hopeful that the arthritis will go away, and that she will be feeling much better soon enough. I feel a bit relieved that we have a more definitive answer, as well as a treatment plan, but there are a few more things involved that we will have to closely monitor. Aislynn is at an increased risk for developing uveitis, which is basically inflammation of the middle layer of the eye, and if left untreated and unnoticed, could lead to blindness. She will have to have regular eye exams to ensure that she does not develop that type of inflammation. Additionally, because of the medication she will be on for the arthritis, she will need to get blood drawn every few months to monitor her blood cell counts and other things. It pains me to think of the amount of needles and appointments and doses that she will be faced with for at least the next couple of years, and it makes me so sad to think of how this will make her feel…but I have to hang on to the hope that this is what is best for her. Her doctor did say that little kids have responded extremely well to the treatment for JA, and that remission is much more likely for her because of her age.

In general, it’s going to be a bit of waiting game. First, we have to see how well she responds to the medication; we certainly hope that the arthritis will go away and she will be able to stop taking the medication after a couple of years of being on it. Most of all, I am just wanting her to be feeling better. It’s probably confusing to her why she’s in pain in the morning when she wakes up, and of course she can’t understand what this all means just yet. I hate the idea of forcing medicine into her mouth, but I trust her doctors and what they have explained to us and the treatment plan that has been established. Medicine and healthcare are so much more advanced now, and I have faith that our little girl is going to be just fine!

I can’t even express how grateful I am for those of you who have been keeping up with us and what’s been going on lately, and so thankful for those who have reached out online or sent a text or whatever…it means the entire world to me. I so appreciate it and all of your prayers!

xoxo,