Friday, February 7, 2025
47.2 F
Roseville

Rheumatoid arthritis – Hope for Emily

Lori Maynard learned last year that her daughter had rheumatoid arthritis. The diagnosis followed “about three months of rapid degenerative illness,” said Maynard in a telephone interview from her New Jersey home.

A National Institutes of Health website defines rheumatoid arthritis as a chronic autoimmune disease causing inflammation of the joints and neighboring tissues. Wrists, fingers, feet, ankles, and knees are most commonly affected. The onset usually occurs in people between ages twenty-five and fifty-five.

Said Maynard of her then 11-year-old daughter, “Emily got sick around Thanksgiving 2005 and her wrist started hurting. She wore bandages to support her wrists while she played. We thought it was just growing pains. Then in December she woke up in the night screaming because both her feet were in excruciating pain.”

In January 2006, a pediatric orthopedic surgeon diagnosed her with plantar fasciitis, a common foot ailment, even though Maynard had said her deceased father had rheumatoid arthritis.

A week later at a swimming lesson, Maynard noticed her daughter walking oddly. “Her strange limp reminded me so much of the way my dad used to walk,” said Maynard.

Fortunately, Maynard’s brother-in-law was an orthopedic surgeon and within a month he would diagnose Emily with rheumatoid arthritis. Immediately, Emily was put on a steroid, which helped her walk, and later she began a chemotherapy treatment approved for people with rheumatoid arthritis.

“Emily’s diagnosis made me completely afraid,” said Maynard. “My father was diagnosed at twenty-two and spent a year in the hospital. I was born when he was thirty-six, and by then his hands and feet were bent and deformed, and his elbows locked at a ninety-degree angle. Because of the steroid, eventually he lost bone density, and in his sixties his spine began collapsing before he died.”

After hearing her daughter’s diagnosis, Maynard would cry for nights. Emily was hurting every hour of every day.

Today Maynard’s mood is more upbeat. “For one, new medications have made her prognosis so much better than my dad’s,” she said. “The progression of the disease has been halted. Secondly, Emily has discovered she has a gifted singing voice. She began voice lessons and when she sings she forgets the pain.”

She added, “I feel for parents who have sick kids. Every parent wants their child to do great things. I now have that hope again for Emily.”



Brighter Side

Trending

Placer Conservation Authority takes step toward securing 4,245 acres of land easement acquisitions north of Lincoln

Auburn, Calif. - Approximately 4,245 acres of prime farmland, natural open space and environmental resources north of Lincoln is a step closer to being secured in perpetuity as part of the Placer County Conservation Program.

Boot Juice and Blü Egyptian in Auburn at Foothills Fillmore Feb 22

Auburn, Calif.- Keep Smilin' Promotions is bringing the much sought after Boot Juice to the Foothill Fillmore. The co-billed event also includes Blü Egyptian which has been described as "somewhere where Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Joe Satriani & Buckethead are all infused in a Talking Heads state of mind."

Rocklin Unified and Rocklin Teachers Professional Association reach tentative agreement

Rocklin, Calif. - The Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Chapter #773, are pleased to announce a tentative agreement for the 2024-25 academic year.

Placer County takes action to preserve Vista Ranch

Lincoln, Calif. - A 279-acre property of blue oak woodlands along the south shore of Camp Far West Reservoir and the Bear River north of Lincoln is a step closer to being added to the Placer County Conservation Program.

Wells Fargo Bank in Roseville on Douglas Blvd

Wells Fargo Bank on Douglas Blvd in Roseville. Lobby hours are Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Closed on Sundays.

Topics

Placer Conservation Authority takes step toward securing 4,245 acres of land easement acquisitions north of Lincoln

Auburn, Calif. - Approximately 4,245 acres of prime farmland, natural open space and environmental resources north of Lincoln is a step closer to being secured in perpetuity as part of the Placer County Conservation Program.

Boot Juice and Blü Egyptian in Auburn at Foothills Fillmore Feb 22

Auburn, Calif.- Keep Smilin' Promotions is bringing the much sought after Boot Juice to the Foothill Fillmore. The co-billed event also includes Blü Egyptian which has been described as "somewhere where Jimi Hendrix, Jerry Garcia, Joe Satriani & Buckethead are all infused in a Talking Heads state of mind."

Rocklin Unified and Rocklin Teachers Professional Association reach tentative agreement

Rocklin, Calif. - The Rocklin Unified School District (RUSD) and the California School Employees Association (CSEA), Chapter #773, are pleased to announce a tentative agreement for the 2024-25 academic year.

Placer County takes action to preserve Vista Ranch

Lincoln, Calif. - A 279-acre property of blue oak woodlands along the south shore of Camp Far West Reservoir and the Bear River north of Lincoln is a step closer to being added to the Placer County Conservation Program.

Wells Fargo Bank in Roseville on Douglas Blvd

Wells Fargo Bank on Douglas Blvd in Roseville. Lobby hours are Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM-12:00 PM. Closed on Sundays.

Ultimate Staffing in Roseville

Ultimate Staffing in Roseville. Employment agency that places temporary, temp-to-hire and direct hire positions.

Sutter Imaging Roseville Parkway

Sutter Imaging Roseville Parkway. Offering a range of powerful diagnostic tools, including ultrasounds, MRIs and X-rays.

Automotive Service of Roseville on Douglas Blvd

Automotive Service of Roseville offers a full range of auto repair services as well as smog certification and our own car wash. Bring your car or truck in today!

Related Articles

Local Spotlight

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center emphasizes the use of prevention and natural therapeutics

Sacramento Naturopathic Medical Center is a professional primary care natural medicine committed to helping all people reach their full potential – mind, body and spirit.

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning serving Roseville and South Placer County for over 30 years

Paul Black’s Window Cleaning Inc. has been serving Placer County’s commercial and residential window cleaning needs since 1990.

California Recovery Center in Roseville offers treatment for substance abuse and mental health

California Recovery Center (CRC) is a treatment provider for adults with substance abuse and mental health condition, located in Roseville and serving the greater Sacramento region.