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Gavin Smith, 3
Tampa, FL
When my son Gavin was 21 months old he woke up with a swollen knee. We took him to his pediatrician and they sent us to an orthopedic surgeon. They took x-rays and didn't see anything broken but put him in a full leg cast anyway. After 4 weeks of being in the cast they took it off. I could not believe my eyes!! Gavin's knee was the size of a large orange and he was screaming in pain! My heart broke! I didn't know what was wrong and the look in the tech's eyes worried me even more! The Dr came in and drew fluid from his knee...it was awful. Then he told us that he thinks Gavin has Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis....I lost it!
We met with the Pediatric Rheumatologist the next day and he put him on Naproxen. Gavin could not walk because of the swelling and pain. His knee was stuck in a 90% angle because of the cast. We decided to do some cortisone injections in his knee and wrist 2 months later (by now he had 3 joint affected knee, wrist & big toe). Finally he was able to move his knee and a few months later started walking again (after months of physical therapy).
Gavin has been on so much medication because they would stop working after a few months. He has been on Naproxen, Methotrexate injections, Enbrel injections, Rhemicade Infusions...etc.
The joints are under control now!!!! Thank God! But, the arthritis is attacking his eye now. He has developed Uveitis/Iritis and just had surgery because the swelling caused scaring so his pupil wouldnt dilate anymore. The surgery was a success and hopefully he won't have to go through that again. He still has Uveitis/Iritis but it is more controlled now. He has to have 10 eye drops a day. Hopefully after his next eye exam we can lessen that number.
He is 3 1/2 now and a very happy and active boy! He can run, jump, climb and skip just like the other kids his age.
He is my Hero!
~Gavin's Mom, Julie
