Kelby K. Peachey, 24

It was the beginning of my freshman year that I started to experience pain. Things were new and things were changing. I was taking a heavier class load which involved a heavier backpack and, unfortunately, back pain. I was told to simply take OTC pain medication and to keep an eye on it. Try to carry less on my back and possibly consider investing in a backpack with wheels. Were they kidding me? High school was tough enough, let alone trying to move around with a backpack on wheels. I took the first option, only carrying the basics for each class, but the pain wouldn’t go away.

Then it happened. I got sick. I went on a trip to New Mexico for a competition and came back with Scarlett Fever. Did that even exist anymore? Well it did and I got it.

That summer I went on vacation with my family to California. By this time it hurt to walk for long and that’s all we were going to do for our vacation- walk, walk, walk. So, my family decided to rent a wheelchair. Here I was, barely 16 years old and in a wheelchair. People stared at me. I could see them wondering why I was in a wheelchair. “You’re totally faking it,” or “What’s really wrong with this girl?” We were able to visit all the attractions and amusement parks. I still remember my sister saying that the best part was me in a wheelchair because we moved to the front of the line. I do have to admit that was the best part, but at the end of each day I was sore and stiff from not walking. Now this time I knew it wasn’t the backpack.

At the next doctor’s appointment I told them about my pain. They decided to give me a cortisone shot in my ankle and that eased the pain. I could finally walk on it and things were looking up until my ribs started to hurt.

At the next appointment, I told the doctor about my pain and my ribs. Not seeing anything damaged in my ankle, wearing an air cast for 6 months, and nothing broken or snapped, he decided it was time to do surgery. He would have to dig around in my ankle to figure out the problem. An X-ray, CAT scan, and every other type of scan out there were done, but he still couldn’t see anything. The next best option- surgery. I was terrified. It didn’t help that the doctor said that the surgery might not help and could even make my ankle worse.
It was a week before my surgery. I lost 20 pounds and couldn’t sleep. I was absolutely miserable. We went to see my pediatrician, and she told me my weight had been fluctuating for several years now. 20 pounds on, 20 pounds off. A few days later, my doctor called me. She told me I had an indicator in my blood and I needed to go see a rheumatologist.

A week later I saw the rheumatologist. He told me I had something called Ankylosing Spondylitis, which is arthritis. I didn’t know kids could get arthritis. Well, they can, and they even get their own special kind, but I had AS. It affects the lower joints. My hips, ankles, knees, and toes would be affected if we didn’t start treatment right away. FINALLY…TREATMENT! I was thrilled.

I had learned how to exercise with my AS in addition to eating healthy. I was motivated though, even as a 17-year-old. Why? If I gained weight, it would make the pain worse. My rheumatologist said “You must keep moving because it will prevent the joints from stiffening, especially your rib cage because once it freezes, you can’t undo the damage.” That was motivation enough. All this time I’d wanted to exercise and was now being told by my doctor to do so. I have to take vitamins and minerals daily, about 10 pills to be exact, in order to maintain my immune system, as it is weakened by my medication.

I’m currently 24 years old, married, and working a wonderful job. In the back of my mind I’m always thinking how what I’m doing is going to affect my arthritis. I’m also at the peak of childbearing age. I have not made the final decision, but I do know it will be tough. Trying to get pregnant, stay pregnant, and then raise a child with my arthritis will present some challenges.

Most people would consider this disease a nuisance, but I find it a challenge that I work on every day, and it helps improve my life as a result. It’s not an option to avoid exercise or healthy food. I must remain diligent.

I’m a huge supporter of the Arthritis Walks, and I’m currently the co-chair for the 2009 Denver Arthritis Walk. If we all work together we can find a cure and stomp out the stiffness!

Edited by Maria Mickiewicz

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