Anna learned to give herself her Humria shot this evening, and she did well! Scott (my husband -- Anna's dad) was along for the instruction, and it was so good to have three brains soaking up all the detailed information. We'll see what happens in two weeks when we're at home without a nurse to guide and direct her steps, but I'm confident that she'll do fine.
I remember the days when Anna was really little, and she used to cry on shot nights. And now years later, she was calm and only a little nervous --- this was her decision and her choice. No wallowing (maybe a little bit of grieving here and there, but not today! Today was a step in maturity!)---just acceptance of this journey in life, and thankful for so many little ways that we've seen God along the way (and know that we will continue to see Him, because He never lets go of us!).
I keep this blog in part to easily update family, friends, and other JA parents (and any other interested persons!) on how Anna is doing on her journey with Juvenile Arthritis. Since Anna was first diagnosed in 1999, the terminology has changed. I believe that now children are diagnosed with Juvenile Arthritis, or Juvenile Iodiopathic Arthritis, et. al. However, I created this blog a long time ago, when people referred the disease as Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis. Hence the "JRA."