Remembering the challenges of PMR/GCA in earlier generations

[Rimmy]

Hello Everyone

This is a picture of my late mother (1926-2004) which I am posting here on what would have been her 92nd birthday. She contracted a 'mysterious' illness in her late 50's and lost much of her eyesight, had blinding headaches and several sequential 'small' strokes over many years. My mother was a strong woman and managed to live a meaningful life despite all the challenges (and there were many) thrown her way BUT I realise now she had a 'classic' case of GCA which was never diagnosed.

I am therefore very sad that my mother and no doubt many others in similar circumstances at the time did not have the benefits most of us have today with improved recognition and treatment of PMR/GCA. The days I feel hard done by I remember all the difficulties she faced in the latter part of her life and how fortunate I am (myself with PMR/GCA) to live in this era - however 'imperfect' it still may be.

Remembering my intelligent, hardworking, energetic, thoughtful and courageous Mum !!

Best wishes to you all

Rimmy

[DorsetLady PMRGCAuk volunteer]

Lovely picture.

As you say, things may not be perfect these days, but most of us get diagnosed and treated eventually.

Like all things PMR/GCA related - Slowly, slowly!

Take care.

[SheffieldJane]

She was very beautiful Rimmy. This is an apt way to remember her on her birthday and to remind us that we are fortunate. 💐

[Hidden]

What a lovely photo and a pertinent reminder.🌻

[Marymon]

Lovely lady, Happy Birthdayx

[Hidden]

Ohhhhh she is BEAUTIFUL Rimy! And she has an obvious "twinkle" in her eyes!

I'm saddened to hear that she had such a hard life and had to suffer (what I can only imagine were indignities of being a "woman of a certain age" and having a mysterious illness. Especially in those days).

Lovely of you to honour her here where we can all appreciate her and commiserate with her pain.

xxx

[Insight329]

She was beautiful, Rimmy — what a lovely smile! I cannot imagine having to live with those monster headaches! She must have, indeed, been very courageous. Thank you for the reminder that we have a lot to be thankful for with our advanced knowledge we have on these diseases.

[Mstiles]

Beautiful tribute and beautiful mommy. Thank you for posting this and remembering her on her birthday. 💕

[GOOD_GRIEF]

Happy Birthday Rimmy's Mom.

I'm glad you found a way to have a wonderful life regardless of the limitations of your health.

You'd be very proud of Rimmy.

[Maisie1958]

Beautiful Lady Rimmy and a reminder how that generation just got on with things. I need to count my blessings x

[Rose54]

Are you as stunning as your Mother

Rose

[Rimmy in reply to Rose54]

I wish I had been !!

[Grants148]

A lovely ,beautiful lady With a beautiful smile.my mother had PMR in her early nineties,they treated her with steroids and were very pleased that they relieved all her pain They treated her in hospital and at first did not seem to know what to do,this was around 1990 ,l remember them saying,this seems to have worked, My mother was just one month from her one hundredth birthday when she died.

[Patience47]

Can't imagine what she must have had to endure. Beautiful lady.

[Rimmy]

Thanks to everyone for all your warm comments - my mother would have appreciated them enormously - and the 'company' of good people such as you. Obviously the benefits of such wonderful 'global' digital forums such as this one weren't available for earlier gens either and often as we know they have really assisted with getting an earlier and more accurate diagnosis.

Best wishes and increasing 'good health' to you all

Rimmy

[York54]

Beautiful picture. Lovely tribute to your mum.😃❤️

[Allsgrandso]

Beautiful lady ❤️ your post made to stop and think this morning. Thankyou x

[Hidden]

Hello Rimmy, I was interested to read the tribute about your Mother. Yes, it would have been difficult for her with no support and probably no-one to understand what she was going through. I imagine there is still many isolated people in the world going through similar experiences.

You will see her again. She will be there waiting for you when you pass. There is no endings- only periods of absence. Kind regards, Koala9

[Rimmy in reply to Hidden]

Thanks koala9 for your very kind words. How are you travelling ? - have you been able to manage everything quite 'well' without Prednisone - regardless I hope you are as 'well' as you can be at this place in time.

Best wishes

Rimmy

[Janicep]

What a lovely lady . Saddens me to think of the many people with similar symptoms to her and us who are never diagnosed. I bet rest homes are full of these people over the years.