Sick (by Christy)

This is a portrait of my boyfriend (soon to be husband) taking care of me after my life was changed literally over night by adult onset Still's disease.  (Still's disease is an auto-immune disorder that causes inflammation of the joints, muscles, skin and internal organs.)  I woke up one morning and was in so much pain I could not roll over in bed.  I felt like I had the flu and the joint and muscle pain was phenomenal.  It took months to diagnose and even more months before the treatment kicked in and reduced the pain.  But I feel very lucky.  Thanks to a great doctor, a fabulous finance (who was 100% supportive) and loving family and friends I made it through almost two painful years.  Today I live with little pain and function almost like my old self.  I have had to give up being a massage therapist for now and probably no more jogging ever.  But I can walk and dance and still do my artwork.  I am even throwing on the potter's wheel which is something I could only dream about when I was sick.