May 21, 2012:Referred to a Rheumatologist

Britt and I went into Dr. Soleimani’s office not sure what to prepare ourselves for.  After looking her over and asking her many questions, he responded with, “I AM SO SORRY, SHE IS SO YOUNG”.  What did this mean, what was he saying?  As he hugged both of us, fear started to take over.  No explanation, no details, just a BIG HUG from a DR. we had met for the first time.  As much as I appreciated his compassion, we still didn’t know what was happening.  He brought us some information and said, “She has a majority of the symptoms for an autoimmune disease called, Scleroderma. Here is the name of a Rheumatologist out at UCLA that specializes in this disease.  Please call him immediately and get in.  I am so sorry.”  Leaving there feeling so overwhelmed, we called my husband, mom and mother-in-law (who is an RN) and father-in-law to get together and discuss what was happening to Britt. The internet can be so full of information but can also be a scary place to look when you are first advised of a potential disease. My mom and mother-in law started ordering books and resources to better inform us. An appointment was scheduled with Dr. Kafaja and Dr. Furst at UCLA.