KAYLA

It started with a few swollen knuckles on her hand.

Then it progressed to her left ankle.

She limped because it hurt to put weight on it.

The ankle became red and swollen.

Then a few nights later I was awake in bed.

It was midnight.

Kayla was moaning in her sleep.

I asked her what was wrong.

She told me her wrist was really hurting.

I went in to look and saw that it was red and swollen.

I started getting that sinking feeling.

You know...the one you get when you know it's not good?

The next morning it had moved to the right ankle.

Yep...red and swollen.

Painful to walk on.

She went to school and to her basketball practice.

That night she came home complaining of her knee.

By the next morning it was really swollen,

she could hardly walk on it.

I called the doctor.

Blood work was taken.

the results were not good,

she's guessing "Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis".

I suspected this before taking her in.

My heart sank.

She's headed next month to see the specialist.

More Dartmouth appointments.

During the vacation it continued.

She felt it in her neck,

then she developed the rash that goes with JRA.

Yesterday I picked her up from basketball.

Her coach told me Kayla was really quiet during practice.

I went in to see her.

She was so sad.

I asked her what was wrong.

She pulled up both pant legs and I saw.

Her right knee was HUGE.

The joint was so swollen,

and it was painful.

Another medical trial.

I find it interesting that we continue to be dealt these cards.

I'm not bitter,

my heart just hurts.

(here is a great site for JRA if you are interested)