In November 2010 just before her second birthday, Esella started limping in the mornings. The morning before her birthday Esella woke with a severe limp. It was then that we discovered a very swollen knee. Over the next several weeks Esella endured x-rays, numerous blood draws and countless doctor appointments. She was finally referred to Stanford's Pediatric Rheumatology Department where she was
diagnosed with Oligo-articular JIA. This type of JIA effects 4 or less joints (in addition to her knee the doctors noticed a swollen knuckle on her right hand) and typically effects young females. They prescribed some medication to take daily and recommended she have a cortisone shot in her knee to eliminate the inflammation. This required that Esella be put under anesthesia. She underwent the procedure on January 11th 2011 just 8 days after her baby brother was born. Esella is currently on daily medications to try to control the disease. You see, JIA is not your grandparent's arthritis: It is an autoimmune disease where the body actually attacks its own joints. It can also attack the organs and the EYES. Esella has to be examined every 4 months by a pediatric ophthalmologist to make sure her eyes are clear as there are typically no symptoms until the damage is done. So we started Team Esella to take part in the Arthritis Foundation's local Arthritis Walk in Livermore, CA on April 30th 2011. So come join us in spreading awareness and raising money for this very important cause!
