![]()
My
Skin Is Cured From Scleroderma - Nicola Whitehill
![]() | |
'My Skin Is Cured From Scleroderma' 30.11.16 |
Almost 18 years to the day, from having first attended the Scleroderma Unit at The Royal Free Hospital in London, I am exhilarated to have been told on 30th November 2016, by the world scleroderma expert, Prof Chris Denton, that ‘your skin is now cured from scleroderma’.
Having been given a 15 month
prognosis by my medical diagnosing doctor in autumn 1997, aged 24, in December
1998, I arrived at Dame Prof Black and Prof Denton’s office at the Royal Free
hospital in a very bad way.
My body had turned to stone, literally.
My body had turned to stone, literally.
The skin covering my entire
body had become tight, itchy and painful. In an attempt to put this into words,
it would be similar to a clothing garment shrinking in the washing machine.
This was accompanied by swollen joints and weak muscles, making any physical exertion, including standing, a huge feat.
My fingers and toes were constantly blue with a minimum of 4 digital ulcers at any one time.
Along with a level of tiredness that I had never experienced before (even after a week holidaying in Ibiza post A-levels, did not make the slightest level of comparison).
This was accompanied by swollen joints and weak muscles, making any physical exertion, including standing, a huge feat.
My fingers and toes were constantly blue with a minimum of 4 digital ulcers at any one time.
Along with a level of tiredness that I had never experienced before (even after a week holidaying in Ibiza post A-levels, did not make the slightest level of comparison).
Following extensive and numerous medical tests, the good news was that minimal internal organ involvement was evident.
However, the progression and aggressiveness of the fibrosis and lack of elasticity of my skin and connective tissue placed me in the ‘diffuse systemic sclerosis critical patient’ list.
An urgent medical treatment plan was drawn up with numerous iv cyclophosphamide infusions scheduled, which if ineffective, I would have a stem cell transplant.
The feeling of leaving the
hospital that day, is one that I can not articulate other than an overwhelming
inner-sinking feeling, having to consciously force myself to breathe.
This feeling was comforted by the knowledge that, I was now under the medical expertise of global leaders in their field, whose dedication and commitment to improving the scleroderma patient landscape, invoked huge hope in me, that a cure would be discovered within my lifetime.
And most of all, they would ‘pull out all of the stops’ to do everything they could to help me, and of extreme importance to me, help me to realise my childhood dream to be a barrister.
This feeling was comforted by the knowledge that, I was now under the medical expertise of global leaders in their field, whose dedication and commitment to improving the scleroderma patient landscape, invoked huge hope in me, that a cure would be discovered within my lifetime.
And most of all, they would ‘pull out all of the stops’ to do everything they could to help me, and of extreme importance to me, help me to realise my childhood dream to be a barrister.
My new medical team took no
time in getting me hooked up to the chemo drips, I had two sessions before the
Christmas holiday, which was repeated at the start of 1999.
At the same time I was taking mycophenolate mofetil (mmf) 2g / day.
By easter, my skin symptoms gradually eased, taking me out of the stem cell transplant list.
At the same time I was taking mycophenolate mofetil (mmf) 2g / day.
By easter, my skin symptoms gradually eased, taking me out of the stem cell transplant list.
On 1st March 2004 I
qualified as a self employed practising barrister, andso, having achieved my
personal life goal, I reduced the mmf dose with view to stopping it completely.
By the end of June, I was back on my sofa, experiencing a relapse with my symptoms, mainly lethargy, intense musculo-skeletal pain (tin man) and neuralgic pain.
Six months later, I relocated to my birth town of Southport, with the management of my symptoms to a tolerable level, now taking over as my full time job.
By the end of June, I was back on my sofa, experiencing a relapse with my symptoms, mainly lethargy, intense musculo-skeletal pain (tin man) and neuralgic pain.
Six months later, I relocated to my birth town of Southport, with the management of my symptoms to a tolerable level, now taking over as my full time job.
Digital ulcers used to be my
nemesis until taking Bosentan 125mg twice a day, continuous since October 2012.
Due to my Raynaud’s sensitivity, I have found that the prevention of attacks is far less painful, than having an episode.
This makes for a ‘home bird’ all year round.
Again, words are difficult when trying to describe a Raynaud’s attack.
‘Slamming your hand in the car door’, I would suggest, is an acceptable description, however, the pain can not be articulated.
Due to my Raynaud’s sensitivity, I have found that the prevention of attacks is far less painful, than having an episode.
This makes for a ‘home bird’ all year round.
Again, words are difficult when trying to describe a Raynaud’s attack.
‘Slamming your hand in the car door’, I would suggest, is an acceptable description, however, the pain can not be articulated.
If I am honest, 18 years ago,
I would never have believed, (given the medical advice which I had been given,
combined with how I was feeling, and what was happening to my body at that
time), that I would still be alive, let alone, be told that my skin would be
cured from scleroderma.
I do not want to appear to be morbid, just honest, about my reality at that time.
I do not want to appear to be morbid, just honest, about my reality at that time.
Again, I struggle to allocate
accurate words, when trying to describe the level of gratitude and appreciation
I have for Prof Denton and the Scleroderma Unit team at the Royal Free
Hospital.
I am also extremely grateful to my local medical team here in Southport, Dr Sykes and the rheumatology team, as well as, Dr Bontea and the dermatology team at Ormskirk hospital, and of course my dentist, Andrew Booth and hygienist Louise.
I am also extremely grateful to my local medical team here in Southport, Dr Sykes and the rheumatology team, as well as, Dr Bontea and the dermatology team at Ormskirk hospital, and of course my dentist, Andrew Booth and hygienist Louise.
As a long term scleroderma
patient, my main health challenges now include, extensive calcinosis,
telangiectasia, dry mouth / gum recession, chronic MSK pain and Raynaud’s.
I have stabalised my gastro-intestinal symptoms by altering my diet and including daily smoothies and fresh juices for maximum super food nutrition.
I have stabalised my gastro-intestinal symptoms by altering my diet and including daily smoothies and fresh juices for maximum super food nutrition.
However, this combination of my current unmet clinical needs, most certainly shows that scleroderma is more than skin deep, causing devastation to the vascular and soft tissue / connective tissue processes along the way.
All in all, I am more than
aware, and I am extremely humbled to know that I am a very lucky scleroderma
patient, in relation to the ‘mild’ set of symptoms which I experience, compared
to some of my fellow patients, who are far braver than I.
Click here, to view my article 'Living the dream, being your own Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease Advocate'.
Click here, to view my article 'Living the dream, being your own Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease Advocate'.
One day, hopefully,
very soon, I want to be able to say ‘I used to have scleroderma’.
So, until that day, I will
continue to relish in the delight of how I feel, knowing that ‘my skin is cured
from scleroderma’.

An edited version of this article was published here, in my Column with Scleroderma News.
December 2016.
To read my articles:

Rare Disease Day 2018, Research - Taking Part in Clinical Trials, Click here
March Autoimmune Disease Awareness Month 2018, Click here
Global patient video, Click here
Becoming a Patient Research Ambassador for the NIHR, Click here
If we only had more RESEARCH investment for Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here

The Pandora’s Box of the rare autoimmune disease
Scleroderma, Raynaud's and Cancer, Click here


World Scleroderma Day 29th June 2017, Click here
Why Global Collaboration is important to the Rare Disease Patient, Click here

RARE DISEASE DAY:
Rare Disease Day 2018 – Research, Taking
Part in Clinical Trials. Scleroderma, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease, Click here
2016 Rare Disease Day Patient Voice
2016 Rare Disease Day Patient Voice


Rare
Disease Day is a fantastic opportunity for the entire rare disease
community to shine a spotlight on their reality, combining as one unified
voice. Where, at least one commonality presides –
Medical
Research provides the brightest light
for the illumination of the rare disease
patients’ plight.
I
highlighted other areas of medical research interest within Week 3 of my Patient Profiles Campaign for Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017.
VIDEO
VIDEO

Although
rare disease patients are few in number, eg. 2.5 million scleroderma patients
worldwide, (the World Scleroderma Foundation), the commonalities and golden
hallmark for each rare disease patient are the same:
Early Diagnosis
Expert Specialist Centres
Access to Innovative Medicines
Where MEDICAL RESEARCH investment
is VITAL.
Research
is the key. Abstracts from 2016 World Congress, Click here


The Family Day at the Scleroderma Unit, The Royal
Free Hospital is taking place on the 19th May 2018. Browse the
program, here
This year, I am celebrating 20 years of being a
patient at this world leading expert specialist research centre.
Sept 2017 |
I am eternally grateful to the global scleroderma
trail blazers Dame Prof Black and Prof Chris Denton, whose commitment and
dedication to unlocking the scleroderma enigma, is nothing other than,
superhuman.
I am truly humbled and inspired by their work
ethic. I am wholly appreciative for Prof Denton’s continued medical expertise
and support, especially during my barrister qualifying years, 1997 -
2004.
1st March 2004, I qualified as a self
employed practising barrister. Further to having been told in 1997, by my
diagnosing doctor, that I was looking at a 15month prognosis.
I very much hope to utilise my professional skills
and qualifications along with my patient experience, to help achieve the
#SclerodermaFreeWorld dream, hoping to improve understanding and best practice,
in the meantime.
For latest updates follow:

Facebook Page:
Twitter: @SclerodermaRF @RaynaudsRf
Google Plus: RaynaudsSclerodermaAwarenessGlobalPatients
#SclerodermaFreeWorld
#RaynaudsFreeWorld
#ADAM #Scleroderma
#Raynauds
#RareDisease
Living the dream, scleroderma style.

Please DONATE to help
fund medical research at The Scleroderma Unit,The Royal Free Hospital, London.

100% of your monies will be used for medical
research purposes only. No wages or admin costs. Thank You.
#HOPE



Last Update: April 2018
PLEASE ONLY POST COMMENTS IF THEY ARE SCLERODERMA RELATED #SclerodermaFreeWorld
ReplyDeleteIt is worthwhile reading this blog. I was searching such kind of blog for a long time but now I think I got a blog of my interest. I am thankful for these all suggestions mentioned under this blog.ฝ้า
ReplyDeleteThank You for your kind comment :)
DeleteIt verbalizes a limitless imagination. I am totally impressed with the factual transformation skill of author used for transforming his thoughts and presented here. Impressed with deep meaning of this article.helionof ซื้อที่ไหน
ReplyDeleteLife Science Services:-
ReplyDeletePeptide Synthesis
Custom Peptide Synthesis
Peptide Synthesis Services
Peptide Synthesis Company
Custom Peptide at http://www.biosyn.com/peptide-synthesis.aspx