Update on Caitlin

She is not hovering in the 100s like she was, but that's ok! We'll take anything over 50! She continues to be active in cheerleading. Nothing new except that she is approaching limitations on what her body will allow her to do. We are having trouble deciding whether her aches and pains are cheer-related or Lupus-related. We noticed that she had even more joint pain during Thanksgiving break and she was doing nothing at the time. She complains at least once a week of bone pain now and we do not think it is from Nplate. Heating pads & wraps are her best friends right now and she takes Tylenol, but it does not help with the pain. We're taking her to the rheumatologist soon so we will address all of the new issues with her. I remember when we took her to the rheumatologist the first time, they told me the peak age of diagnosis for Lupus in children/teens is age 15. Caitlin will be 15 in April so I am just hoping the labs do not show any differences from the last time. (Only better results!) Anyways, hope all is good for the rest of you and that you have a blessed time with your family during the holidays!

Pauline -

It's so nice to hear an update on Caitlin. Glad she's staying active! I hope that the rheumatologist doesn't find any progression of Lupus for Caitlin. Brady's really active with high school basketball right now and he often complains of his ankles, knees, etc. hurting, so hopefully Caitlin's aches and pains are all activity-related!

Have a wonderful holiday!

Pauline, I hope it works out ok at the doctors when you go. Dougie is like Brady - always complaining about something aching. I think a lot of it is growth related because it particularly seems to happen when he is sprouting upwards - his bones grow quicker than his muscles and tendons, and so something is always under stress. Hopefully this might be the case for Caitlin too.