Heti's Journal

  It's been a while since i last wrote, and i have been thinking of you all so much, but i became so ill they whisked me into hospital and i've only just got out.  those of you who said not all my symptons were RA related were right.  it ends up i have dermatomyositis as well.  my muscle strength was reduced to 30% and was severly affecting my ability to swallow and breathe, i was hardly able to move.  my purple rash was spreading all over my body and driving me demented with itching and burning.

but now...my rash has almost gone, my strength is returning and i know i am on the mend.  relief.  i knew i was ill but convincing someone was so difficult.

they say it will take about 6 months to fully regain muscle growth and get back to normal but i don't mind as it's all positive stuff from now on.

a bonus is they think my RA will be knocked into remission, my lungs will clear of fluid and through physio i shall be walking upright for the first time in 3 years.

and can you believe, i even had photos taken of my rash as 'it's so rare'!!!  fame for a day.  well, if it helps someone in the medical profession to recognise it quicker than they did for me then that's the kind of fame i like.

so, how are all of you, well i hope?  i shall look up your news and try to catch up.

hears to a new start and a return to health for all of us!