Banner Sponsors
For artists and collectors sponsored by Intercal...your mohair supplier and Johnna's Mohair Store
Eva who is 33 is at the moment in ICU, she has a rare condition, called scleroderma. No one really knows how to treat it, and it seems as thou the body fights its own immune system. I was hoping that it was all under control, but when I arrived home from Japan this morning, I was told that Joyce her aunt was summoned to the hosiptal so it does not look good. She was struggling to breathe so it looks like her lungs are affected by this disease.
Eva, I held as a baby when she only weighed 3 lbs at birth, I helped her mother nurse her and bring her up.She grew up with both my son and daughter and is part of my "african family" Her mother Bella, I cared for - when she died from liver cancer , in her early forties.
Eva has a daughter, Bella , aged 8 and a baby son of 6 months- I know that one has to accept that in life these things happen, but right now I am just so angry.
Lynette
Bearz by IlzeHi Lynette, I will most definitely add Eva and her young family to my prayer list!! Sending lots of positive thoughts!!
DoodlebearsSending big hugs and prayers over to you in Johannesburg. I hope Eva does well her babies will need their Mum.
Hugs Jane. 
PottersHouse BearsMy prayers go out for Eva.
Newcastle, OntarioHi Lynette,
I am sooo sorry that Eva has scleroderma - I am much more familiar with it than I ever wanted to be. My oldest sister died from this horrible disease 12 year ago. It is an auto-immune disease that affects the collogen and comes under the umbrella of the arthritis family, like lupus.
Schleroderma comes hand in hand with another condition, called Reynauds syndrome. You can have Reynauds and not have Scleroderma, but you can't have Schleroderma without having Reynauds, which is a circulation problem, and can affect the hands and feet.
There are apparently two kinds of scleroderma- one that just affects the outer skin, which makes the skin thick and unsightly, but survivable, and the other kind affects the collogen of all organs and thats the kind my sister had, and sounds like Eva has. If it affects the inner organs, it is much more serious and can be fatal. It thickens the skin on all the organs and if it's in the lungs, it makes it hard to breathe. My sister had every possible thing go wrong that could go wrong. If it does affect the lungs, there is a small chance it will trigger lung cancer, which is what happened to my sister. She survived 16 months after her initial diagnosis of scleroderma.
I had never heard of scleraderma before my sister was diagnosed. We were all told to get a base arthritis test done, just so we knew where we stood, as there is a chance of it being genetic. My sister has two daughters, and one of them has Reynauds, and it is worrisome.
I will definitely keep Eva and her family in my prayers. It is heartbreaking that she is so young, with small children. My heart aches for all of you.
Biggest hugs :hug: :hug:
Brenda
Brenda thanks so much for this. I have called the hospital, and they say it is not looking good. I have my very good friend sending me a picture of her brand new and first grand daughter born about 2 hours ago- its seems like we have one life going to be taken and one life given.
Eva started off having the thickening of the skin and not being able to move or bend especially her fingers. Its seems thou it has developed into the other type as well.
I am sorry to hear you lost a sister to this- and hope that her daughter and maybe with Eva that perhaps medical science has improved and that they can still do something, although it seems to baffle the medical profession.
Lynette
Newcastle, OntarioHi Lynette,
I think that Scleroderma is still baffling and quite rare, although I've certainly heard it mentioned more since my sister's death. Maybe it's just that I pay more attention to it, because I'm aware of what it is now.
They don't know the cause and pretty much treat symptoms individually, I think. I'm trying to remember what treatment my sister had, but I think it was steroids - I'm not sure. Her's progressed rapidly, and chemotheraphy for her lung cancer did not have much affect.
Life does seem tragic but strange sometimes, doesn't it - your friend being gifted with a new grand daughter just as you are potentially losing a life close to you. I hope that things improve with Eva, and if you want to chat, just PM me.
hugs,
Brenda
Bumpkin BearsLynette, I am SO very sorry to hear about Eva, I will send all my best thoughts I can for her and her family. What a shock for you to come back to after a long journey. I hope that your trip went well.
Lots of hugs :hug: :hug:
Catherine
xxx
Jellybelly BearsLynette I'm so sorry, I have scleroderma and have spent the last year with lung and heart scares from it, it seems I am finally over the hump and they think I'm in the clear, but I know too well about all the scariness and seriousness of it all...I send you and this poor girl my hugs and prayers. I really hope they can do something for her, and her poor children...its just so heartbreaking 
Brenda, I've spoken to you about this before ...hugs and more hugs :hug: :hug: :hug:
Eva has slipped into a coma, and the Dr's say she has now suffered brain damage,
I am so sorry, this is the last thing anyone wants to tune into on TT.
thank you for your kind words
Lynette
Newcastle, OntarioHi Sarah,
It's nice to see your post here - yes, we have chatted quite a bit about scleroderma, but I didn't want to post about you as I didn't know how you felt about telling everyone. I'm sooo glad they feel you are in the clear - that is such a relief for you. You have enough to worry about!!! Sometimes just knowing someone else with the same problem and to share information with, can be a big help. Take care and talk to you soon.
hugs :hug: :hug:
Brenda
Newcastle, OntarioLynette,
Don't worry - we're here to share with. Sometimes just having the courage to say it out loud, can make things easier.
hugs, :hug: :hug: :hug:
Brenda
Past Time BearsSo sorry about Eva, Lynette . . . peace and comfort to you and her family. :hug: :hug: :hug: :hug:
That's such sad news. 
I'm so sorry for all of you, Lynette and Brenda and your families, and Sarah. Chronic disease is such a burden and it's so hard to watch people we love suffer with it. You've all got my wishes for some relief from all that.
I saw a really moving, wonderful TV movie about scleroderma some years ago starring Dana Delaney. It was based on the life of Bob Saget's sister, who died from the disease. Bob Saget, in case you don't know, is that incredibly tall, kinda dorky, pretty cute & very lovable dad from Full House who hosted America's Funniest Videos for the longest time.
Here's a link to the movie info. It was called FOR HOPE and if anyone is interested, apparently you can purchase it for a small donation to the Scleroderma Research Foundation.
WienLynette,
my thoughts are with Eva and her family and with you. :hug:
I wish her peace and luck.
Gaby
Jellybelly BearsBrenda :hug: its so nice of you to remember me.
I really believe in sharing our problems...its great therapy for both sufferer and listener...it helps both ways..and like Brenda said, by having that courage and sharing, you can help so many people, which is a positive out of all of this sadness.
Lynette, I know we've PM'ed, but your sad story has really helped me too...I've been so frustrated with my medications lately...why do I take so many if I still feel bad...but, in you sharing your heartache you've helped me to realise the importance of taking my preventative meds, no matter how awful they make me feel, to keep my conditions under control...I just wish that they would have diagnosed poor Eva earlier...sigh..its just awful...
Shelli I wasn't aware that Bob Saget's sister died of this I know you've been dealing with chronic illness in your family and you are right... it is so difficult for family members...I think my hardest time was when my sister was at her worst with MS. You have my hugest hugs for what you're going through. :hug: :hug: :hug:
Newcastle, OntarioShelli,
I was aware that Bob Saget's died from Schleroderma, as it was about the same time my sister died. I have always wanted to see the movie, but haven't had the opportunity. Thanks so much for the link!
Sarah, I agree that sharing information is good for both parties. Maybe someone reading this will wonder about a symptom and get checked out because of it. I know it's frustrating to take the amounts of medication that you have to, but the alternative is just to scarey to think about. Look after yourself and keep in touch.
hugs,
Brenda
