Breanna's Juvenile Arthritis Battle Update

It has been a long time since I have posted anything. My college has taken up much of my time. I am set to graduate this May and hopefully join the workforce again this time as a Physical Therapy Assistant. Breanna has had her ups and downs this year. She is in Kindergarten now. We have not had many problems with her joints. We have been told she is in a medicated remission. I am still not a big fan of Methotrexate. I know it is what has made the arthritis stay away, but giving your child a shot every week stinks. We have still been fighting the side effects of medications. We are in the process of weaning her off all her arthritis medications. Meloxicam has been gone for a month now and so far, no changes in her joints or her stomach problems. We go to see the rheumatologist in 3 months if all goes well they will reduce the dose of methotrexate. Breanna really wants to just stop it all. She has had to be accommodated due to all the illnesses she picks up at school. She is a smart kid and knows that it is the methotrexate that causes her to get sick easy. She doesn't like to seem different and not keep her supplies with the other kids. She hates the smell of sanitizer "it smells like shot" she says referring to the alcohol smell. She has also realized that the methotrexate gives her the stomach aches. She told me, "But mom I just started feeling better a couple days ago and now it's shot night. It will make me feel icky again." I don't know what to do or say really. I try to tell her about what good the methotrexate has done. But she was only 14 months old when it began she doesn't remember the bad times of arthritis all she remembers is the shots. I am really hoping that she is in a state of remission that will remain even after all meds are gone. My baby needs a chance at childhood without all these doctor appointments, labs, shots, medication, too sick to play or go to school for weeks at a time. Please pray that this will last long enough to give her a glimpse of a care free childhood. While we wait for the cure we would love a non-medicated remission. As long as there isn’t a cure it is somewhat like this gloomy cloud lurking over our head making us fear if it will strike again. I pray for everyone that battles arthritis pain free days.