HI from NY

[Jen]

I have been around reading since Feb. and posting at times but have never introduced myself.  My name is Jen and I live in NY with my husband and five children.  I am a special Ed teacher and my husband is a firefighter. My children are 12, 11, 9, 6 and 5.  Life is crazy enough and then add sjogrens!!  I was diagnosised with Hashimoto's after my 3rd in 1999.  I have never felt right since, it has been 1 issue after another.  This past year has been bad and after many tests it was determined that I have Sjogren's and subacute cutaneous lupus.  It is bittersweet b/c it is nice to know what it is and on the other hand upsetting to know I will have to deal with this for the rest of my life.  I find it comforting to have this website to visit, it makes me feel like I belong somewhere.  Slowly I am dealing better with this diagnosis and I am trying to see it as a gift.  I am a very active person and now I need to slow down and really see, feel and appreciate all that I have....this is the gift.  Thank you for being here for me during this time when I am unable to really explain to others who just don't understand what life is like for us. 

[kimbo]

Hey Jen,

You have a huge load.

Many precious children.

Welcome to a wonderful forum full of great information and advise. I hope that you find lots of answers , support and encouragements.

It is good that you have found a way to pace your busy life and keep stress under control.

blessings kimbo

[Linda196]

Hi Jen, welcome to Sjogren's World.

Sounds to me that you need this site simply for a quiet place to sit an take a "staycation" from what sounds like a lovely, lively, active, and wonderful family!

You have a great attitude, being able to see the "silver lining" as also a gift, and you have it! I hope you find all the support, understanding, information and companionship you're looking for here!

[jonnell]

Hi Jen welcome to sjs world I have 3 children 16, 13 and 4.  My youngest jenna has sjs, asthma, and joint hypermobility syndrome.  I give u lots of credit having 5 children a job and sjs must be very hard.  We are always here for you and my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.    Hugs and Kisses   Jonnell and Jenna  By the way we are neighbors I live in New Jersey.

[Redetha]

I also teach Special Education.  This is my last year and I am counting the days.  I plan to sub for my school ( School for the deaf and blind) so I will be working part time.   I am planning to do some of the things I have always said I wanted to do.   I can understand how you feel about the diagnosis.  Sometimes I tell myself that it is not true even when I know it is.  Special Ed can be so hard each day with all the demands.  Especially the paperwork !!!!!!!  Just hang in there.  One of the hardest things for me is  this is an unseen problem.  If my arm was broken, there would be no problem....but this invisible disease can be hard to explain and  difficult for others to understand.  Keep us posted on your adventure.  That is what I call this......my adventure.