Diagnosed at Seventeen

Diagnosed at Seventeen is the story of how rheumatoid arthritis changed my life. In this story, you will follow me on a journey of doctor appointments, therapy, and surgical procedures to manage the devastating effects of RA. You'll learn about my low points, for example discovering severe damage to my esophagus which makes swallowing difficult. You'll also read about my high points such as graduating college by taking classes between surgeries. I went through times of anger, times of rebellion, times of frustration, and times of denial. I experienced many ups and downs, not only in my health, but also in my faith. As my journey progressed, I tried to be positive and inspire others with a joyful spirit and a deep faith in God.