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Show Tuesday, July 12, 1983 THE HERALD, Provo, Utah, - Page U i oaay Arthritis Hits Suddenly Painfully EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the third of four articles on arthritis. By ROXANNE WEBB Herald Staff Writer f ' If there were ever a family that has learned cooperation and family management under remarkable circumstances it is the Thornton family. At age 32, with five children under age seven, Janet Thornton of Provo learned she had rheuma. toid arthritis. years ago, she was bouncing her baby boy on her leg when she felt severe pain in her knee and said to her husband, "This boy is too big to be bounced." Four-and-a-ha- lf IP i fw ''j&, sw k tP Deanlt FatieriM Pboto Arthritii victim Janet Thornton still spends time with her children including Brent, 7, who gets help with his fishing pole. Says Susan Carter A few years ago Susan Carter, Provo, was roller skating with her school, and had a fall that landed her on her back. What would be a few bruises for most 'children was more for Susan. Susan suffers from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis (JRA), a disease that occurs at any age that nit Susan at 18 months. (See Monday story on Page 9.) "I will never go skating again," she says remembering the painful fall. Susan's mother, Gay, describes Susan's condition as severe. "Her disease is up and down like a roller coaster. Just when you think it's getting better it becomes worse." During the first few years after JRA hit, Susan's parents were told she had a 50 percent chance of getting over the disease. But flare-up- s every six months have been discouraging. Susan's entire During a flare-ubody hurts to the point where she must lie still in bed from two to four weeks until the swelling and pain subside. Walking long distances is painful, even during the best of p, Miner 50th Mr. and Mrs. F. Lee Miner will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday, July 17th, 5 to 9 p.m., at the home of David Miner, 935 E. 200 N., Springville. The event is open to friends and relatives. They request no gifts. By the third day, she had pain in both knees and the pain of moving from a sitting to standing position was so great she cried. Less than a month later she was diagnosed as having rheumatoid arthritis and in a short time was seeing a specialist. Deformity and major complications came fast to her. "If I had not been with a specialist right away the effects of the disease would have been physically worse, and the emotional impact would have been so hard on my family they wouldn't have been able to cope with the disease as fast as it came on," she says. Like other patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis, Janet has constant pain in every joint. Recent dissolving of the jawbones h has made her jaw drop back of an inch. Janet's new challenge is trying to talk without a lisp. The emotional impact of coping with a crippling disease especially during the first few years is not to be taken lightly. Janet felt guilt over her inability to do all that is expected of a mother of five. "At first I couldn't have been more terrified if someone had come up and cocked a gun at my head. My whole life was just killed; everything stopped immediately. All the responsibility a mother has at that age in her life and here I couldn't be in charge of anything. I was a body that laid in a bed and had to have someone get me a drink. I couldn't prepare a meal, change my baby or let my year old daughter sit in my lap." In the beginning, Janet's fingers swelled up and made simple tasks difficult. Putting on make-u- p even making a fist or washing her were impossible tasks. face 7 Won't Go Skating Again' times. "If I walk a lot I get sore. And sometimes my knees get so swollen I can't bend them." Whatever position they're in when they sweJl is where they one-fourt- stay. To reduce swelling and subsequent pain, Susan takes a strong medication called prednisone. Fortunately she has no stomach ulcers, a common problem brought on by strong drugs. One setback caused by both the disease and prednisone is growth retardation. Susan hopes to find enough relief from pain and swelling so she won't have to take the drug every day. A physician she calls her "grow doctor" will then be able to give her a growth hormone. Having a painful disease is difficult for a person of any age, but being young brings its own challenges. The children at school don't understand Susan's condition. "It was easier when I was younger," she says. For the past two years she has had a tutor, but she plans to attend Provo High next year, A motorized cart will help her get Today, under strong cortisone medication, Janet has more movement than she's had in years. around. Ann Landers Way to Resolve Family Inheritance The cortisone is temporary though. Because of a recent comrheumatoid lung displication ease Janet will be under heavy medication only as long as it is safe (a few months). The complication of stomach ulcers is a side effect of medication Janet has learned to live with. "When you consider having an ulcer compared to being a cum-ple- te invalid in bed, it's worth it. ..very worth it," she says. Janet describes her life of pain as a barrier that she must overcome to do even simple tasks like picking up her purse or dialing a phone. "I don't function with ease with any of my housework." she says. In the early days of the disease Janet and her husband explained to the children about arthritis including the pain it brings. "The children responded by touching me softly; by never bumping my bed and by running on those baby feet to get me a drink," she says. d loved to cook The and was taught to make simple meals like eggs and sandwhiches Uanet calls survival food), while two younger daughters prepared the table. A very helpful took complete charge of the from bathing to toilet baby training. She actually trained two of the children while she was a seven-year-ol- five-year-o- mere d. "We are proud of our children; they can plan and organize well," Janet says. Anyone with arthritis knows it can be a costly disease. Daily medication; lab and doctor fees; special home equipment and (in some cases) hospital care can be very burdensome. The Thornton's estimate they spend $100 a month for medication, lab work and doctors, but extra expenses come along. When Janet was hospitalized for her lung condition insurance helped but didn't pay for everything. Home items like a dishwasher help Janet with daily chores. But during a "bad day" even the best is not enough. That is where Janet's children come in. "I can't vacumn or mop, I can unmake beds but I can't make them. If I want to put things away in my lower cupboards I have to shove them in," she says. What Janet can't do, her children find interesting and often fun. "Arthritis has been a good challenge for me, but also the source of my greatest frustration. But when you get through the crisis, it is such a good feeling to know you can handle it and solve the problem," she says. . Dear Ann Landers: I know you I'm writing a speech. Thanks, Pal. often receive letters describing Acey Deucey in Whittier Dear Ace: It's by Alistair family arguments after a death and thought you might appreciate Cooke: "The ironical thing about hearing how one dear lady pre- discrimination against Jews in vented this in her own family. particular, is that it is practiced Attached to my mother's will was mostly by white Christians of the a handwritten note. I hope you will genteelest kind. They would be the print it in memory of a great lady. first to have blackballed the founI am Her Grateful Son der of Christianity." Dear Ann Landers: A reader "Dear Children: As you prepare to go about settling my estate, I suggested that if a newspaper hope you will avoid the squabbling publishes the names of men that so many families experience caught with prostitutes, it should in conducting such affairs. also publish the names of the "ladies of the evening." "My will stipulates that everyEnclosed is a clipping from thing is to be divided equally among you, but when it comes to yesterday's Quad City Times. family heirlooms such division is They have been doing as suggested A Davenimpossible. Following is a list of for quite some time. the heirlooms and the name of the port Fan Dear Quad: Thanks for the fill-iperson who should receive each item. Here's another letter on the "I have tried to be fair and take same subject from a neighboring into consideration which items state: each of you would most appreDear Ann Landers: In Omaha ciate. I ask that you not consider yourselves as the owners of these we have a law against soliciting. (Both sexes.) The fine is $100 and pieces, but merely the custodians. They belong to the family and you the names and addresses of all are the stewards who must keep parties involved are printed in the them for the next generation. Omaha World Herald. And now I would like to register "Now I pray that you will remember the words of our Lord a complaint. Why do you (and and love one another as I have other writers) refer to prostitutes loved you. as "ladies of the evening"? What's Mom." Dear Grateful Son: What a wise wrong with calling them whores? I and wonderful mother you had! I happen to be a lady, and I resent hope you all live up to her expecbeing put in the same class with tations. Some cogent words of such scum. Mrs. E.K. Dear Mrs. E.K.: Sorry if I Benjamin Franklin come to mind: "If you want to know the true offended you, but I have some measure of people, watch the way pretty conservative editors and they handle an inheritance." publishers around the country. I Dear Ann: What's the best quote try to avoid using language that you've read lately on prejudice? might offend THEM. n. n SALE JULY I DAVE -lb 20-5- 0 6CAP6TCKJb CULPTUCE K06TA BCPA 625TAL cruee. 6iPT MAfJy ITCM6 607TCKJ TISEt SCUAEE -- 2230 KJC PUCUu UtSTBaUifD iD UUiV Pfc&Y 573-5b4- VWA 9 AM BxPiZESS Harmon, Stout Kelli Harmon, daughter of Mr.and Mrs. Aldo Harmon, Redmond, Ore., will marry Gregory Stout, son of Mr.and Mrs. W. Douglas Stout, Provo, on Wednesday in the Salt Lake IDS Temple. A reception will honor them 7 to 9 p.m. at the Stout home, 2190 N.1400 E., Provo. The event is open to friends and relatives. ; Bridal attendants are Gloria Sala, Joy Jones, Elizabeth and Jennifer Stout. Ushers are Jim Vanfleet, Jay Harmon, Brian and Steven Stout. ' The bride-elegraduated from Redmond High with honors and from Ricks College where she was on the Ballroom Dance Team. ill ct Her fiance graduated from Provo High, served an LDS mission in Argentina and attends BYU. Gregory D. Stout Kelli Harmon o jfrrtft3i o VwKn WHS' tr Robert D. Saxton Cyneil Jensen - Jensen, Saxton Cyneil Jensen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. Neil Jensen of Provo, will marry Robert D. Saxton, son of Mr. and Mrs. Dallis B. Saxton of Cheyenne, Wyom., on Thursday in the Jordon River LDS Temple, A reception will honor them 7 to 9 p.m. at fiie Jensen home. Bridal attendants will be Colleen Jensen as maid of honor with Angle and Andrea Saxton as bridesmaids. Best man will be Tim Richards with Rick Jensen, Ron and Randy Saxton as attendants. The bride-ele- toeclQe steam won ' "r-rr- ; graduated from Timpview High with honors and from LDS Seminary. She will graduate from BYU in August. Her fiance graduated from Cheyenne High and Ricks College where is was active in sports. He will attend BYU. He also served an LDS mission in Kentucky. , - - 7ossouth Mb - 3pool ,elOTirg whirlpool i- i guctonc9 '.((bm , refill caunowi v km I ntoMCK- "ii. ( -- fit' suiv 4ICGT |