Karen

Karen

Hi my name is Karen Rochon and I live in Cornwall, Ontario Canada. I was first diagnosed with Raynaud"s in 1997 at the age of 30. I was hospitalized because they thought I might lose my fingers. Fortunately that didn't happen and I was put on Nifedipine and then I changed to Norvasc.

Then about two years later my hands started to curl and skin started thickening on my arms, hands, face, neck and my body. I was sent for many tests which confirmed I have Scleroderma with pulomonary fibrosis, no motility in my esophagus or small bowel, reflux and sjogren's disease. I just recently finished almost two years of chemo for the pulmonary fibrosis. I am feeling much better and just want to say having a great attitude is the most important thing.

This has been a long journey but for all the bad parts a lot of good has come out of it. I feel like I am a changed person whom I like a lot better. I have the most wonderful husband in the world and this has brought us even closer together. I really look at life totally different now and feel I am blessed for so many things that I may not have seen without this illness. Some days are very hard and not knowing how this disease will progress some times gets me down but I just pick myself up and keep fighting as attitude is so important.

I am now only working part time as I must spend more time taking care of myself. This I must say has been the hardest adjustment as I am used to looking after everyone and I don't have the energy I once had to do this so I must put myself first and not feel ashamed. I hope this letter has helped someone coping with this disease and realize that there is hope and that tomorrow will be a better day, so don't give up.

If you have any questions please feel free to email me at
mandk@cogeco.ca

P.S. Keep Fighting and God Bless!