Re: Welcome to the group and wrist fusion

January 28, 2005

Nelwyn,.....I think you will be very valuable to the group. Dealing

with RA for 15 years is not easy. There are many that come to the

group very newly dx, and not sure what to expect.

I was diagnosed a little over 2 yrs ago, but rheumy thinks I have had

it since childhood. It's really giving me a time, and it seems like I

just can't get it in control. It's really frustrating, but you know.

What a beautiful name, for a beautiful little girl! She is so lucky

to have you, and hubby. I know she is the sparkle in your eye. T

--- In , Nelwyn <nrobinson@a...>

wrote:

>

> Thanks for welcoming me to the group.

> Tawny, How wonderful that you lived in Bangled.

> We adopted Jillian Rasika from Mumbai (Bombay). She was 27 m onths

old

> and is now approaching four. She was a special needs child, with

> craniosynostosis. She has had one surgery to correct it and will

have

> another next year. Craniosynostosis is premature fusion of the

skull

> sutures-sutures allow the skull to grow, if they close too early,

your

> brain begins to get pressure from the skull and skull deformities

can

> occur. She is an outgoing, fun-loving child that keeps her parents

> hopping! She is extremely strong-willed and it has been a

challenge.

> She spoke only Hindi upon arrival, but her vocabulary now is at the

> level of a two and a half year old. So, we are improving!

>

> I was diagnosed with RA at age 27, 15 years ago.

> Wrist fusion question: I had my right wrist fused three years

ago. I

> almost waited too long. I do have tendon damage. I wish I had

done it

> sooner. The right side of my hand just doesn't function that well,

and

> the tendons hurt. I wear a brace at night (sometimes) to try to

help

> it, but to me, it doesn't do much. My right ring finger just wants

to

> droop and curl because the tendon is so damaged. I too find little

I

> can't do because of the fusion. Of course, pushups are out <grin>

but I

> wasn't doing those before anyway! You will discover new and clever

ways

> to pick things up,etc..but actually, its not much more limiting

than the

> limits you've already felt because of RA! The only pain I have in

the

> hand/wrist now is the result of the tendons...so my advice is go

ahead

> and do it before you do more damage!

> Nelwyn

>

> --

> No virus found in this outgoing message.

> Checked by AVG Anti-Virus.

> Version: 7.0.300 / Virus Database: 265.7.4 - Release Date: 1/25/2005

January 28, 2005