2008 Arthritis Walk - Fairfax, VA

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Karen Richey

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My Fundraising Goal:
$3,000.00

Money Raised to Date:
$2,730.00

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I Need Your Help to Fight Arthritis

My name is Katie Richey and I am 11 years old. When I was three I was diagnosed with Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis (JRA). Leading up to my diagnosis I was having fevers each afternoon or evening that would disappear by morning. I was also limping because my right ankle was swollen. I even wore a pink cast for a while because the doctors were not sure what was wrong with me.
As part of the treatment I had to take medicine every day.

My arthritis went into remission after about a year, but 10 months later it was back. This time, my right ankle, knee and elbow were swollen. My doctor added a new drug called Methotrexate which I took once a week. This drug lowered my immune system so that my body would stop attacking these joints. I had only taken the medicine for a few months when I got really sick. The doctors thought I had leukemia. I had 104 degree fevers and my liver and spleen were so swollen they were about to burst. I was at Childrens Hospital in the cancer ward. The same day they did the bone marrow biopsy to determine if I had leukemia I found out that I actually had a severe case of CMV. This virus is usually harmless to healthy people, but because I was taking immune suppressing drugs, it made me very sick. The good news was I did not have cancer, but the bad news was I had anemia and other liver problems for about six months afterwards.

My arthritis went into remission for a long time after being so sick. I was pretty much symptom free for almost 4 years. Then my left knee started to swell up and hurt really bad. I had to get a steroid shot and the fluid drained out of it. That was scary, but now it doesn’t hurt. I have also had some other flares which have affected all of my joints. Sometimes I get a fever and a rash. My pain comes and goes, but the past few flares I have had, steroids have gotten things under control within a week. So far I have not had to be back on methotrexate and I don’t have to inject myself with other medications like some kids I have met at Arthritis conferences.

Having arthritis has not been fun. There are days when the pain is so bad I do not want to get out of bed. I also can get tired pretty easily. However, I have met some great people including my doctors who work hard to keep me out of pain and feeling healthy. I am grateful that I live in an area where there are doctors who can help kids with arthritis. Some children have to travel hundreds of miles to see a doctor because there is such a shortage of pediatric rheumatologists in the United States. I really hope that one day they can find a cure for this disease. With your help that may happen sooner rather later.

I hope you will consider a donation that would help find a cure for this painful disease. All donations are fully tax deductible and would really make a difference in so many lives. Especially in the lives of young children who suffer daily from this disease.

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