In the summer of 2003, I lost one of my best friends to a rare, unknown, incurable disease called scleroderma. Karen and I had met at college where we were both working on our Bachelors of Science degree in nutrition with the goal of becoming future dietitians. We formed an instant bond as we were both Jamaicans and could understand each other’s struggles and pain. We often studied together and found ourselves on occasions spending many sleepless nights getting ready for our microbiology, chemistry or nutritional biochemistry exams. With perseverance and determination, we survived those years at Georgia State University and Karen went on to become a wonderful renal dietitian, until scleroderma make it impossible for her to live with us any longer…
In between the beginning of our friendship in the 1994, and the end of her life in 2003, I grew to know and love Karen’s husband and family. So, I never missed a family gathering, birthday or graduation, or any other event. So, felt privileged to spend the last moments of her life with her and her family. After her death, grieving was difficult as I often questioned God about why her, but with prayers and time, …show more content…
I am glad you asked, since June is National Scleroderma Awareness month. According to the Scleroderma Foundation (2016), Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words: “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. The hardened skin was what one would notice about Karen after passing her infectious smile. Yet, she never let scholerderma stop her from pursuing her dreams of marriage and a career and was not only a wonderful wife, but a brilliant and caring renal
In between the beginning of our friendship in the 1994, and the end of her life in 2003, I grew to know and love Karen’s husband and family. So, I never missed a family gathering, birthday or graduation, or any other event. So, felt privileged to spend the last moments of her life with her and her family. After her death, grieving was difficult as I often questioned God about why her, but with prayers and time, …show more content…
I am glad you asked, since June is National Scleroderma Awareness month. According to the Scleroderma Foundation (2016), Scleroderma, or systemic sclerosis, is a chronic connective tissue disease generally classified as one of the autoimmune rheumatic diseases. The word “scleroderma” comes from two Greek words: “sclero” meaning hard, and “derma” meaning skin. Hardening of the skin is one of the most visible manifestations of the disease. The hardened skin was what one would notice about Karen after passing her infectious smile. Yet, she never let scholerderma stop her from pursuing her dreams of marriage and a career and was not only a wonderful wife, but a brilliant and caring renal