My name is Nancy and I was diagnosed with scleroderma in Feb. 2000. My symptoms started when I had bronchitis in Nov. 1998. I had never had bronchitis before and thought it was normal for this to take a long time to feel better. Little did I know that I would never feel "like normal" again. By December I was still tired and thought it was just the rush of the holidays that was wearing me out. In January 1999 I noticed my feet and ankles swelling. It got to the point that my shoes would barely fit any longer. I went to my regular doctor and he thought I just had arthritis starting and I took some over-the-counter medicine that didn't phase it. Elevating my feet didn't do much for them either. After a couple more visits, he sent me to a Rheumatologist. We discussed the possibilities of lupus, lyme disease, scleroderma, etc. All the tests came back ok, except that I tested positive for scleroderma. At that time (May 1999), he still didn't think I showed enough symptoms to write the diagnosis. 

Despite the way I physically feel, I look at life in a different light now and things I took for granted, I appreciate more. I have a wonderful husband of nearly 15 years, no children, but a huge family with lots of nieces and one nephew. They have served as my "kids" over the years as well as some special neighbor children who just seem to be drawn to my house. I try not to show the pain to the people around me, but my closest family members and friends know what a change I've had just in the past year.

I have a lot of faith in God and, as I read on one of the other pages, also believe that He wouldn't give me anything he didn't think I could deal with. My family is great to help me with things I struggle with now, but hopefully things will level out a little now that summer is here. My husband bought me a stool on wheels for working in the yard and has changed door knobs to handles in a few places at home.

I truly enjoy gardening, bike riding and craft work. I am an avid quilter and spend a lot of time at the sewing machine in the winter months. I hope that these hobbies will not be taken from me as the time goes on. I think keeping my mind busy with work, hobbies, etc. will keep me positive as well.

I would enjoy corresponding with others with scleroderma. I wish to remain positive about this disease and well informed. If anyone knows of helpful hints for things that have made their life easier, pass them on.

My prayers are with you all.

12/18/2001 -
I'm ending the second year of having this disease and still feel
positive about dealing with it and have really enjoyed the responses
I've had from the page. I'm having a lot of heart burn and acid reflux
problems now, but I still have very good movement throughout my body,
except my fingers. The knuckles especially have being very sore, tender
and swollen. My doctor has referred me to a dermatologist who is
prescribing Ultraviolet Light Therapy for this. I'm wondering if anyone
out there has tried this therapy and if it helped them much.