Bettye

My name is Bettye and I have scleroderma. Sounds almost like introducing yourself at a 12 step self help meeting. Writing this is just that for me. I was diagnosed with CREST in 1988. Looking back I realize that I had all the basic symptoms many years earlier but since I was a single mom I didn't have time to be sick.

My children are grown now, 35 and 36 years of age, I now feel the ravages of disease. The CREST is now diffused scleroderma with lung involvement. I have always been able to take control and be in control. The hardest thing for me right now is that I have no control and I am not adjusting well to the reduced level of activity that I am forced to accept. I have wonderful doctors and feel that I am being given the best that is available at this time. However, my heart breaks when I think that I may not live long enough for my grandson to really know who I am. Every day I pray that the positive side of my being can take over like it use to do.

I feel encouraged when I read the stories of others that have this illness. I feel truly blessed that in spite of the difficulties people are still able to reach out and offer love, compassion and hope. Please say a prayer for me that I will be able to accept this latest challenge (interstitial lung fibrosis) and move forward. We all share a common bond, we are truly family.

Please feel free to email me at warrbrwnsgr@aol.com God bless.