Hello, my name is Angela Chami and I am 18 years old.
I was diagnosed with JDM when I was 2 years old and
have been a patient of Dr. Pachman's since I was 5. I
first had symptoms of JDM when I was 8 months old. I
couldn't get up on my own and it was hard to lift my
arms above my head. Since then I've been on IVIG
(didn't work well for me, though), solumedrol,
prednisone, and many other medications. I've had
several surgeries to remove calcifications amongst
other things. Since I was 10 I've had flares every
1.5/2 years. I am now getting over another relapse I
had over the summer of '06 and am doing much better.
This disease has been a battle for me, as it has been
for all of you. I know you all feel exactly like I do,
sad, angry but also thankful. I know God is with me
every step of the way. He hears my prayers and just
remember, he can hear all of yours, too. Never give up
hope, faith is all you need to keep going. All of us
have something that a lot of people out there don't.
We know how to truly be thankful for everything we
have, and it makes us better people. I am here for
anybody that wants to talk, share info, or just to
make a new friend!
XoXo.