Reese’s Story
Despite the challenging mornings, frequent blood draws, daily medications and shots, Reese is a Warrior. She insists on being a spunky, independent, laughing and lovable little girl.
n August 2018, at 2 years old, Reese began waking throughout the night saying she was stuck. She would cry out in pain and be unable to move, roll over or sit up. The mornings also became challenging. Reese would cry in pain as she was getting dressed, standing, attempting to walk or just being held. As the day wore on, things would improve. She was able to move around more and more successfully, but she began limiting herself to playing indoors and avoiding any stairs. Within a week, this active 2-year-old was crippled frequently in pain.
Reese was referred to a pediatric hematologist, rheumatologist and cardiologist. After visiting each of them over the course of a few weeks and undergoing countless blood draws for multiple tests, doctors ruled out leukemia along with a possible enlarged heart. After several more weeks of tests and monitoring, Reese’s rheumatologist diagnosed her with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Initially, Reese took steroids and ibuprofen. These helped her participate in her normal day-to-day activities and keep up with her three older siblings. She then started methodextrate in October 2018, but she regressed. Now, Reese has switched to Humira in hopes of controlling the inflammation in her joints. Despite the occasional challenging mornings, frequent blood draws, daily medications and shots, Reese is an Arthritis Warrior. She insists on being the spunky, independent, laughing and lovable little girl that her family knows so well.
Reese was referred to a pediatric hematologist, rheumatologist and cardiologist. After visiting each of them over the course of a few weeks and undergoing countless blood draws for multiple tests, doctors ruled out leukemia along with a possible enlarged heart. After several more weeks of tests and monitoring, Reese’s rheumatologist diagnosed her with systemic juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA).
Initially, Reese took steroids and ibuprofen. These helped her participate in her normal day-to-day activities and keep up with her three older siblings. She then started methodextrate in October 2018, but she regressed. Now, Reese has switched to Humira in hopes of controlling the inflammation in her joints. Despite the occasional challenging mornings, frequent blood draws, daily medications and shots, Reese is an Arthritis Warrior. She insists on being the spunky, independent, laughing and lovable little girl that her family knows so well.