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Devon
Edwards,
34
Milford
, United States
Diagnosed in
2006
Honestly, where do I begin? My name is Devon J. Edwards, Sr., a Chicago native currently living in Milford, KS. I was sent here by way of the U.S. Army in 1995. Thanks to the military I have made several tours overseas and to different parts of the country. First, the Navy sent me places like Cuba, St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and Panama, just to name a few, from 1991-1993 until I joined the Army in 1994. The Army on the other hand sent me places like Korea and again to Cuba. It wasn’t until the attack on the WTC that our deployments had range and depth added to them. By this time I am serving in the Kansas Army National Guard. (HOORAH) We were called back to active duty to perform a peacekeeping mission in Kosovo. I began to experience some minor health issues at that time. Things such as knee pain which I thought to be normal especially after having surgery on both knees and then chest pains, which of course the Army said was anxiety. After returning from Kosovo in August 2005 I began to experience some minor back pains but grew to be more than a minor backache. I visited my family physician and was prescribed pain medication and muscle relaxers. Not satisfied, I went for a second opinion and then a third. I finally came across a doctor who had heard of my symptoms before-extreme fatigue, severe joint pain, swelling of joints (mainly knees and ankles). This particular doctor suggested that I see a specialist, a rheumatologist to be exact and I did. After a few tests he concluded that I had Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Not only that but also Lupus Nephritis. The treatment plan that he and the nephrologists came up with was a combination of Cytoxan and Prednisone. Seven treatments later it was a complete failure. Month after month I spent in the hospital with severe symptoms, no relief, blood transfusion, more disappointments and then a new attack on my body, pitting edema. I went from a solid 225 lbs to 300 lbs in a matter of days with nothing but fluid retention in my body. It was so bad that my legs began to leak fluid and the tops of my feet burst open leaking fluid and blood. My heels were cracked open to the point that I could not walk or even put on a pair of socks. I even had a central line embedded in my neck. My situation had me taking over 30 prescribed pills daily. Both doctors came to visit me in my hospital room. I was told there was nothing else that they could do for me. One doctor suggested that I move to a larger city where I could be provided for better. I was then transferred to KU Medical Center in KCMO. My new doctor suggested I try an experimental drug called Rituximab. Even after receiving all the negative side effects such as death, cancer and ulcers I decided to go for it! I must say, it seems to be working. If we weren’t going through enough already with my own personal battle with SLE and the added stress of being medically discharged from the military and forced to medically retire, my beautiful wife has now been diagnosed with MS. Our two children are learning hard lessons about life right now. They have shown themselves to be very strong and supportive. We are facing this battle as a family. Our faith and trust in God and the neverending support of our church, family and friends, helps us continue on.
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