I had used all of my work's sick leave, and I made the decision to end my 10 year career due to health reasons.  Two weeks after quitting I saw another rheumatologist at a friends urging.  She immediately did blood work and found that I was indeed very ill.  She prescribed Plaquenil to modify the disease, and Ibuprofen for the pain.  She said she had caught it in time, so that I would not suffer any permanent joint damage.  That summer was awful while I waited for the Plaquenil to become effective (60-90 days).

     In the meantime, I decided to apply for a long-term disability via my former work.  After an initial denial, I decided to appeal.  This process took seven months and a great toll on my finances and marriage.  Nine days after my 40th birthday (and a week before Christmas) my husband decided he no longer wanted to be married.  This was a crushing blow to our family, but my 16 year old son and I moved out a month later.  Two weeks after my husband departed our lives, my long-term disability was approved. 

     At that time I made a spiritual renewal in my life, and rededicated my life and future to Christ.  Being alone at 40 was no picnic, but it taught me to depend on God and my faith deepened.  My long-term disability allowed me to work part-time, so I got a job, so that I would have medical insurance.  I really had to take care of myself for the first time.

     At church I met a wonderful older man who was still a bachelor.  Well, you know the rest.  He felt that I was the answer to his prayers for a partner, and we were married after a year-long courtship.  I continued to work part-time for over a year, until the strain of work and home life became overwhelming.  I used to fall asleep in the car while parked outside the high school waiting for my son to come out.  I also started noticing my eyes were always dry and blurry.  I had trouble reading my paperwork at my job.  I just could not focus properly all the time.  Also, I had the constant thirst.  After developing a lump under my chin, and having several tests, they determined that I had Sjogren's Syndrome. I was again at the same place in my life: all sick leave spent and constantly ill with a cold or flu, and always tired.  I felt as though I was dragging myself through life with little energy to spare for my family.  So, I quit my part-time job.  My medications stayed the same, and an anti-depressant was added after I was too ill to work.  Eventually I had to apply for Social Security and was granted a monthly monetary amount.  This again took months, and an appeal with a lawyer on my side. 

     All in all my Sjogren's bothers me more than my rheumatoid arthritis.  I can only read or do close work for an hour or two, then my eyes are quite painful.  The fatigue is very prevalent still, and hinders my life.  When I feel weak I remember the Bible verse from 2nd Corinthians 12:9 that says: "And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee.  For my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

      Besides Christ, my husband is my hero too.  It takes a big hearted man to marry a woman that he already knows has chronic medical problems.  Now I do church work, some yard work, and sewing as a hobby.  All of this at a very careful SLOW pace.

Thanks so much,

Cindy Garcia