Wow it's been a whirlwind two weeks.
Bible Quizzing Nationals in Pittsburgh, PA .
14 hours in bus. Elizabeth flew for the first time.
Megan's team took 9th, Joshua's team took 21st.
Best week of our spring. So many people that we love to hang out with and build relationships and memories with. No summary last week because we were still traveling home.
Early Monday we were up and headed to the rheumatologist for Elizabeth. Her pain levels were actually much better while we were at Nationals. Thankfully. She was still very fatigued but managed to keep up with the quizzers most of the time.
The doctor ruled out Lupus and Rheumatoid Arthritis. VERY good news. Megan's doctor had told us that she was extremely flexible and thats why her wrists were hurting. She's been on Aleve and it has helped a bunch. Elizabeth's trip to urgent care a few weeks ago got her on a stronger prescription anti-inflammatory which is why her pain has been better. This doctor gave her the diagnosis of Joint Hypermobility Sydrome. Facts from www.medicinenet.com
- The joint hypermobility syndrome is a condition that features joints that easily move beyond the normal range expected for a particular joint.
- Hypermobile joints tend to be inherited.
- Symptoms of the joint hypermobility syndrome include pain in the knees, fingers, hips, and elbows.
This is exactly what she has going on.
It's miserable.
It's painful.
There's not much we can do.
For Elizabeth this puts a name to her pain. It is hard to look normal and have people not have a clue you are hurting. It is easy to start thinking "I'm imagining" this. We know she isn't and now we have a reason for it. Even though there is no quick answer to this--it is a good thing to know what is going on. Treatment is to continue with the anti-inflammatory and get some really good sleep, exercise and rest to calm this flare up down. Good news is as she ages it should improve because her joints will become less flexible.
Joshua was sick all week so not much school happened. That was good because our grass was incredibly long despite mowing it before we left for Nationals. I spent time mowing and getting the cut grass raked up.
Two big events occurred at the end of the week.
#1 Elegant evening! Kinda like prom but better!
#2 Visiting Michael & Rebekah in St. Louis at their new house.
They have moved in and are still living among boxes but they are super happy! Now it's time to prepare for little baby girl who's coming in 5 weeks(ish). Her room has been painted and furniture is bought. We are all so excited to meet her.
So its a late post due to our driving home tonight. Looking forward to a more normal week.
It's time to start thinking about our 2015 garden!