A Trip For Two.

Today, I ask for extra prayers.

Today, I ask that questions be answered. 

Today, I ask that concerns be put to rest.

Today, I ask for favor with doctors.

Today, I ask for strength.

Today, I ask that my mother's heart be flooded with peace.

Today, I stand strong on God's promise for my children - "They have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong." (Psalm 73:4, NIV)

Today, we take not just one child to see the rheumatologist, but two.

For the last eight or nine months, our middle child, Jonathan, has been complaining of joint pain. I'd be lying if I said my heart does not sink just a little at the thought of what we might be dealing with here. But, I am trying my hardest to not "go there" and remain in a place of hope and peace.

I'd like to say it is something he picked up on from hearing his sister complaining about her joint pain. But, I honestly don't think that is it because Mia has been pain-free and her inflammation has been drastically reduced since she switched from taking ibuprofen to Indocin in August 2010. Thank God!

I'd like to believe it is growing pains, but when a child not only goes to bed with joint pain and then wakes up first thing in the morning (or all throughout the night) with joint pain, I can't help but wonder if we are dealing with something else here.

It started with his left knee (same as Mia). Pain that would wake up up in the middle of the night with tears and screams. Pain that would prevent him from walking from his bed to the door. So, I would do what I knew to do...pray, heat up the rice sock and put it on his knee and, if it was really bad, give him some ibuprofen. 

He does "W sit" and plays very hard on his knees, so we thought that might be the reason. But, we have really been watching him with it and correcting him if he is sitting the wrong way and even then days where he has not been rough on his knees he still has the episode of joint pain at night. 

We had blood work done end of March at the pedi's office and everything came back normal. However, the PT and rheumatologist said they look at symptoms first and blood work is always second. I've been told by other JRA moms that their kids blood work always comes back normal, but their kids still have painfully swollen joints.

Then, on the morning of April 2, he woke up crying and complaining of pain in his toes. Specifically, his big toe on his right foot (same as Mia). We were already heading in that day to have x-rays done of his knees, so when I got there I had them add toes and feet to the list. 

Two weeks after that, he woke up complaining of pain in his right elbow (same as Mia). Mia was already scheduled to see her PT that week (I always take her in to see Mary to get her opinion before a rheumy appt.). So, I brought JJ with me and asked Mary to take a peek. She confirmed that his left knee is bigger than his right - 1cm bigger around. 

Is it just sheer coincidence that he and Mia have pain in all the same joints (Mia also has ankle pain)? So weird.

So, here we go. Deep breaths today.