Thursday 1 June 2017

Jacob Vidal Davila, USA, June Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles DAY 2, Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease

Jacob Vidal Davila, USA


Jacob Vidal Davila, USA

June Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 
Patient Profiles DAY 2

Raynaud's, Autoimmune Rare Disease 


Jacob Vidal Davila, USA

Name:           Jacob Vidal Davila

Location:       Houston, Texas


Diagnosis:     Diffuse Scleroderma

Year of diagnosis:    1999

Age at diagnosis:     17


Where / who diagnosed you?:

Houston, Texas/ Dr. Maureen Mayes


What were your presenting symptoms?:

Severe swelling and joint pain in hand and major joints, right skin 

Extreme fatigue


How long did it take for you to be diagnosed after first symptoms?

I was seen several years before my family and doctor truly started to see drastic changes due to the effects of the Scleroderma. 

My hands had begun to become stiff, my face and mouth were slowly become a bit tight also. I was tested for everything.

The doctors were quick to list me as a lupus patient, because my mother is a lupus patient, but my symptoms began to take a different toll on my body.


Current reality:

I am currently starting a new regiment of immuno-suppressants to counter the affects of the Scleroderma.

I have severe hand involvement, my hands are closed tightly. 

I have had several small surgeries to help with infection due to ulcers and trying to open my hands a bit for functionality.

My kidneys have less function and has caused a build up of kidney stones.

I am also in the beginning stages of Pulmonary artery hypertension.

I have had open heart surgery to replace two valves with artificial valves, due to the fibrosis.


What are your 3 biggest current challenges due to your diagnosis?

My fine motor skills sure, to loss of my hands mobility 
Disability, the ulcers are definitely a horrible reality to deal with 
The constant pain is a problem that will always persist 


 

 








What are your 3 top tips for living with your diagnosis?

Always stay positive! 
Try to be yourself, not anyone else and find your own normal! 
Find friends and a support system for you and those in your life.


What are your 3 wishes for the future?

I wish I could help bring comfort and a cure to all those suffering from this horrible disease.

I wish I could be doing what I always wanted as a child, being more involved in criminal justice and psychology.

I wish I could be there more for everyone in my life.

I hate to fight but this disease will definitely make you a fighter. 

Stand tall and don’t back down, you are your own best fighter.  


Jacob is a Board Director at Scleroderma Foundation-Texas Bluebonnet Chapter.  

Big thanks go to Jacob for sharing his scleroderma Raynaud's experience, during Scleroderma Awareness Month.


To read more about why I chose ‘Patient Profiling and Research’ as the focus of my 2017 campaign, Click here     

2017 INDEX Scleroderma Awareness Campaign Patient Profiles, Click here   

INDEX to Scleroderma Awareness 2016 Campaign, Click here 


June 2017 


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   


Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles Campaign, Click here     
 
Scleroderma Awareness Month 2017 Patient Profiles Campaign Patient Index, Click here        
The Pandora’s Box of the rare autoimmune disease Scleroderma, Raynaud's and Cancer, Click here


Key Event Dates 2018, Click here     

Importance of an Early Diagnosis, Click here     

Taking Part in Clinical Research Trials, Click here    


The Importance of a Multi Disciplinary Medical ‘Dream Team’, Click here 

Expert Specialist Centres, Click here      

My Skin is Cured from Scleroderma, Click here      

UK Guidelines for Managing and Treating Scleroderma, Click here      

Fatigue, Click here      

Mobility, Click here    


Diet and nutrition, Click here     


Raynaud's, Click here    



World Scleroderma Day 29th June 2016, 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:
The theme to this years Rare Disease Day is Research

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 UK Parliamentary Reception   


2017 Rare Disease Day Flashback  
  





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



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


Scleroderma Awareness Month Campaign 2016, Click here

Links

View video, here   

Preamble - 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  


#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




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