rheumatolgy appointment

We saw Jacob's Rheumatolgist this week. The progress has been slow but it is progress. The knee is much less "angry". The medications are doing their job. The swelling is better. The doctor said it is not where it needs to be but his is going to follow it for 4 more weeks. THe cortisone shot is still not out of the question. The knee is still in a slight contracture. Physical therapy still needs to continue. The only med change is that instead of the folic acid he is switched over to Leucovorin. Which he will take on Tues. Weds, and Thurs. This med is an MTX rescue drug. It will bind to the left over MTX that is in his system. It is just another type of folic acid, I guess. So over all baby steps but at least he is coming out of this. He is on the way to medication remission.

May 12, 2008

Monday morning! I am counting the days until school os out. I never thought I would say that. I just wanted to give a quick update on Jacob. He is scheduled to see the Rheumatologist in a couple of days. He is doing about the same. No better no worse. Last night was the first night in a long time that Jacob went out to play. He hasn't wanted to go outside in a long time. He said he was doing it for me for Mother's DAy. What ever the reason I was very glad he went out. For a breif while when I was watching him play I forgot about his arthritis. He was running around with the other kids playing wiffleball. He was out for a couple of hours. When he came in he played on the computer for a while. When he got up from the computer he could hardly walk. He said his knee was killing him, worst than ever he said. I didn't want to tell him it was because he played out. My heart was breaking for him. Why does a child have to go through something like this, all he did was play outside like a normal kid. This morning he was still really sore. He soaked in the tub for a while. He is off to school. Monday's I think are especially tough because he gets the tiredness from the Methotrexate this day. Arthritis just stinks, period!! Stay tuned for the update from the rheumatologist on Wednesday!

May 1, 2008

May is here, hopefully some good news will come with some nice spring weather! It is still a little cold out today though! I just wanted to give a quick physical therapy update. Jacob has been going to therapy since after his surgery. We have been trying to make 2x a week. Jacob's therapist's name is Melanie. She has been unbelievable working with him. She has a tremendous amount of patience with him. We couldn't of got a better match for him. He really likes her and I think he enjoys teasing her. When he started with Melanie his leg was pretty stiff from the surgery. He couldn't even do a rotation on the bicycle. His progress up until today has been wonderful. I think it was a great idea to start him on the splint too. His leg is looking pretty straight tonight. If he could just retrain his leg to walk normally I think he would be there. He still is walking with the knee bent. His quad muscle shows that. So much atrophy has taken place. I am hoping by the next time we see the Rheumatologist he will hopefully have enough improvement that he doesn't need the cortisone injection. I think the knee is a little less hot tonight too. The only other thing is that he has been complaining about his fingers hurting. They are sore on both hands. I am hoping the indocin will help them. So much medication, but if it works it will be very worth it. p.s. cross your fingers... no coughing for two days!!!!