Brenna's Story

Brenna's Story:

In April 2013 Brenna limped off the school bus with a swollen knee. We figured it would get better quickly with lots of TLC and a little Advil. A visit to the clinic said to give it two weeks. In Mid May 2013, the knee was still so stiff and swollen we had to carry Brenna as it was too painful for her to walk. Another visit to the clinic, and an MRI found excessive fluid on her knee. In June 2013 Brenna had an aspiration of the knee and the fluid was sent for biopsy. The suspect was Juvenile Rheumatoid Arthritis, or JRA. In July 2013 we met with a pediatric rheumatologist at the Mayo Clinic where her diagnosis of JRA was confirmed; specifically, polyarticular JRA, meaning arthritis in at least four different joints. Brenna has inflammation in her toes, ankles, knees, hips, wrists, and fingers. We also learned she has Uveitis, an inflammation of the cornea. Since the diagnosis, we have battled painful flares and stiffness in our 6 year old daughter, plus almost monthly 800 mile round trip treks to the Mayo Clinic in an effort to find a medication that can stabilize her symptoms. JRA impacts Brenna’s mobility. At times it makes movement painful. Sometimes we have to carry her. It causes her to miss school quite often. It even makes simple tasks like writing very difficult.

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Garage and Bake Sale!



This last weekend our Jingle Bell Team got together and held a garage and bake sale.  Our three stall garage was plump full of shoes, clothes, furniture, and lots of household goodies.  In addition, Brenna, her mother, and sisters made many different yummy treats for a bake sale.  They made S'mores-on-a-stick, Rice-Krispies-on-a-stick, Fruity-Pebbles-on-a-stick, chocolate/ butterscotch cookies, and chocolate/ peanut butter cookies!  Brenna and Allanah were super-salesgirls, too!  Of course, the treats went fast and we even had facebook requests to deliver in town!  The best part of the sale was that we raised several hundred dollars for the Arthritis Foundation!  Thank you for your support, Thief River Falls!













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Saturday, August 16, 2014

Meeting with US Rep Colin Peterson (MN-7)

Recently Brenna met with our US Representative, Colin Peterson (MN-7) in Thief River Falls.  She was able to share her JRA story and how it affects her day to day life.  Rep. Peterson spent a half hour listening and learning.  He was very interested in her story and compelled to help.  Based on our prior conversations and this meeting, he confirmed for Brenna that he had joined the Arthritis Caucus and co-sponsored H.R. 460, The Patients' Access To Treatments Act.  This bill in essence ends health plans from putting drugs into a "specialty tier" where copays are often 33%-50%.  Instead, they must be treated like any other brand or generic drug.  This would make medications, therefore treatments, much more affordable to anyone on a "specialty" drug.  Thank you Representative Peterson, for taking the time to listen to Brenna!  We appreciate your support and hard work to help your constituents!  A copy of Rep. Peterson's newsletter discussing his meeting with Brenna can be found here.


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