For those who are new to our blog, this is our family's journey to health and wellness. You can read about how our journey started here. It's been a long road - filled with ups and downs. Lots of victories and lots of tears. But, through every challenge we have faced, not once during the last six years have we been defeated.
Six years ago tomorrow, I received a phone call from a rheumatologist in Boston informing me that my baby girl had an auto-immune disease - juvenile rheumatoid arthritis. I remember the call like it was yesterday - the time of day I got the call, where I was standing in my house when I answered the phone, the question of "How does she have an old person's disease?? She's not even two years old!!" flooded my mind.
Since that phone call, Mia had been on NSAIDs after NSAID. Last November, we started weekly injections of methotrexate. She has had seven joints drained and then injected with cortisone whenever a flare happened that we couldn't get under control. Which brings me to what she is currently facing: TMJ arthritis. That's right - arthritis in her jaw.
First of all, if you know my daughter. She is a HUGE meat eater. She makes her father proud because she eats like he does! So, arthritis can't stay in her jaw because she needs to be able to eat ribs, chow down on a steak the size of her head, and eat chicken until we tell her she should probably stop soon and go to bed.
Secondly, she's a performer. And, performers like to talk (a lot). They like to sing, dance and play the recorder at the crack of dawn to serenade the entire house on a Saturday morning. So, arthritis can't stay in her jaw because she is a performer.
Thirdly, arthritis can't stay in her jaw because I am her mom and I say so! I will fight this to the very end. Every day is a fight and little by little we overcome. A friend of mine once said, "When it comes to your kids, you become a 'Mama Bear,' especially if they are in pain or sick. Moms dig deep. And then, they dig even deeper. Moms keep going because we are graced to do so! And, I am graced to do whatever it takes to ease her pain and overcome this disease.
Because she is my girl and means the world to me.
About four months ago, I noticed she had been grinding her teeth when she sleeps. I listened as she slept - tons of popping and crackling coming from her mouth whenever she stirred. Fast forward to her appointment this past August with her rheumatologist. Her doctor told us her joints looked amazing and everything was "quiet" - no flares. She even told us to stop her daily NSAID (indomethacin). Then she placed her hands on either side of Mia's face and told her to open and close her mouth. She felt the "popping" on both sides and told me, "It has gotten worse."
So, Mia had an MRI done on her jaw. The MRI showed the damage the arthritis has done to her jaw, especially to the right side.
Fast forward to two weeks ago: Mia was sitting at the kitchen table, eating a sandwich while I was doing the dishes. Then I heard it - a LOUD "pop" - which was immediately followed by my girl in complete agony and tears from the pain in her jaw. It dislocated while she was having lunch. And, then it happened again a few minutes later.
I contacted a friend who is a naturopath and she recommended an all-natural pain relief gel -
Traumeel. What is Traumeel?: it is a versatile pain reliever, providing temporary relief of minor aches and pains associated with sports injuries, sprains, muscle aches and bruises, as well as arthritis pain and inflammation. For over 50 years physicians have been recommending Traumeel as a safe alternative to anti-inflammatory drugs.
Well, it worked! We apply it right to the jaw whenever it starts to hurt and it alleviates the pain. Mia's school nurse, who is absolutely wonderful and a believer in homeopathic medicine, agreed to keep a tube of Traumeel gel in her office for Mia and apply it whenever she needed it.
Today, we met with a new doctor at Tufts Dental School - Dr. Papageorge. She did a panoramic view of Mia's jaw and confirmed what we already knew - Mia has degenerative joint disease in her jaw. The right side is worse than the left. The arthritis is also preventing her jaw from growing. And, the painful "pop" that occurred while Mia was eating lunch was caused because she has an "internal derangement" of the disk. The doctor told us, if not taken care of, it would eventually pop out and not pop back in, resulting in excruciating pain.
So, what's next? Mia's new TMJ doctor wants to get in her in a soon as possible to have a steroid injection done on her jaw. This procedure, which she has had done to both of her knees (her left knee 2x), her right elbow, either side of her right ankle and her big toe, will now be done to either side of her jaw. So, we know what to expect - she will be asleep for the procedure and, after it is done, it will eventually bring relief from the pain in her joints. However, the doctor told us it will take her 2-3 days for recovery because the procedure will cause her face to swell on either side.
Also, Mia will be meeting with another new doctor next week to discuss having a night-time retainer made to help her jaw relax and help manage her pain. I didn't have an appointment, but the doctor happened to be at the front desk and met with me. His assistant told me he was booked until December, but he went to his office and came back and told me he would get us in next Tuesday. He was extremely nice. I am very thankful for the doctors who've been put in our path to help our girl!
In the meantime, Dr. Papageorge wants us to continue using the Traumeel gel whenever Mia is in pain until we can get her in for the procedure in two weeks. She said Traumeel is great for temporary pain relief and agreed that starting her back up on NSAIDs was not necessary because the rest of her body is doing great.
Our family has MUCH to be thankful for! We are surrounded by a wonderful, loving family who have stood by us since the beginning. We have thoughtful, encouraging friends who know how to "pick us up" during the toughest times. We have the BEST doctors, physical therapists, naturopaths available when we need them.
And, we have a hope! We are not defeated. Yes, this is another challenge to face, but we face it together as a family with God on our side. Mia is an overcomer through and through. We are blessed.
"Let your hope make you glad. Be patient in time of trouble and never stop praying."
- Romans 12:12
Mia had an appointment with her rheumatologist. We talked about the injection and she answered a lot of questions and concerns we had regarding side effects from the procedure, etc. While Mia has had this done many times before, this is the first time having it done to her face. I'm very thankful for a doctor who is ever so patient and takes the time to explain the details. We have been blessed with a wonderful rheumatologist! 
I also shared with her that Mia has been taking arnica (6c; 5 pellets under tongue 3x a day) as recommended by our family's naturopath. She said, "Arnica is wonderful for joint pain and inflammation!" At night, I am using doTERRA's Deep Blue essential oil blend on her jaw. Mia loves how it feels and says it "numbs the pain" in her jaw, allowing her to sleep comfortably.