Corona, California (United States)
BRITTANY RUDY-MORRIS
Scleroderma Stories Issue 3
Please introduce yourself
My name is Brittany Rudy-Morris. I am 29 years old and live in Corona, California with my boyfriend! I have two puppies at my parents’ house named Dobbs and Chuchi, who are the greatest babes. My support system includes family, friends, my boyfriend, and support groups. They make sure that I do not go through any of this journey alone!!
The most important thing to me right now is sharing my story and advocating for others so that they may not have the same experience I did and so they know there is hope!
What are your hobbies or interests?
I’m a full-time family nanny, and I love working with children. Home-schooling is the latest venture. I love to cook, bake, play with the dogs, and I also enjoy working out!
I’ve had to make many accommodations to my lifestyle because of scleroderma. Since I have a compromised immune system, I have to be careful, especially when working with children that might have any viruses, colds, etc.
Working out became especially difficult for me when my hands started to stiffen and my hips caused me a lot of pain. But, I have stayed active through the eight years since diagnosis. I went to physical therapy for six months to relearn how to walk correctly, and regained strength in my legs, shoulders, wrists and ankles. I try to move everyday and workout almost every day, whether it is full-out or yoga.
I also had to make adjustments to my pace when doing something that affects my breathing. Because of my cough and limited breath, I have had to make many adjustments in everyday life as well, such as how fast I can walk or go up the stairs, how hard I can work out, what I can lift, etc. I have to take things slow, easy and at my own pace. I always have an inhaler on hand for the emergencies when I cannot catch my breath. When I was first diagnosed, I got a SUV that made getting in and out of the car easier.
Also, I have to ask for help a lot more these days with COVID.
When were you diagnosed with scleroderma?
I was diagnosed in May 2012, when I was twenty years old, by a rheumatologist who put an expiration date on my life: six months. It was three months before my 21st birthday.
The Raynaud’s happened about a year before anything else. Then came the constant dry cough, frequent heartburn, dry eyes and mouth, trouble swallowing, tightening of my skin, constant swelling of my hands and feet, joint pain, stiffness of all joints, trouble breathing, and fatigue.
How has scleroderma affected your ability to work at your job?
Scleroderma affected my life plans, so I had to switch them around. Before scleroderma, I was going to school to become a teacher. I still graduated from college in 2016 with my BS degree in Child and Adolescent Development, but I learned it may not be the best environment for me. So, I switched to nannying for now. The District Office is now my ultimate goal.
But working with children while living with scleroderma can be a struggle! I cannot run after them or keep up all the time. My hands are sore, and I cannot always grip to help them with opening something, or I drop a lot of things. I cannot be around them if they are sick. Picking up children can be difficult sometimes too.
Things just take me longer than normal. My kids are so patient with me, and they know about the disease and my limitations. It really is so sweet!
What lifestyle or mindset changes have you made as a result of your scleroderma?
When I was diagnosed, I was twenty years old. I had my whole life ahead of me, and I was just young and carefree. I never thought about the future. Being diagnosed completely changed my outlook on life. I have learned so much but mostly how precious life is.
I have a verse tattooed on my shoulder that I got after being diagnosed. “She is clothed in strength and divinity and she laughs without fear of the future.” I got it as a reminder to remember that I am HER! I am the woman who is strong and can laugh at what will come, to never take anything for granted.
But truly, having scleroderma has taught me how the power of positivity can completely change your outlook on life and your entire life! Eating healthier, staying active, saying “yes” to all that I can, and talking about scleroderma as much as I can to spread the word are at the top of my lifestyle list now!
Have you had to make any special adjustments due to coronavirus?
I have! I have to be a lot more cautious being on immunosuppressives. So, of course, the mask, six-feet rule, and more hand sanitizer than I could imagine were added to my regimen.
Now, after a doctor’s appointment or infusions, I come home and put my clothes directly in the washer, take a shower and leave my shoes outside. My store trips have become a lot less frequent, and I try to get all that I need in one trip. I no longer go shopping “just for fun!” I have not traveled, which of course, is a huge downfall!
I haven’t seen my family, especially if they have come in contact with anyone or have had it themselves, which is very unusual for us because my family does everything together!
What medications and treatments have you tried?
My list of medications that I have taken is so long since we had to trial-and-error many, mostly for insurance to cover the ones I am on now. So this is what I am now taking: Rituximab infusions (four a year), Cell-Cept oral (3,000 mg daily), Dexilant (heartburn), Evoxac (dry eye and mouth), many vitamins, essential oils, etc. I was on Cytoxan infusions once a month, but once I hit almost lifetime on those, I switched to Cell-Cept orally.
Have your medications or treatments helped?
With medication, my heartburn has gotten better. My skin score went from a thirty eight to a seven, so my skin tightening improved and became much less. My dry eyes and mouth don’t happen as often with medication. My joint pain and stiffness is much better with medication. My lungs have stabilized, and there’s no more decline in my lung function.
Do you have any goals or dreams for the future?
Absolutely! What are we without goals and dreams?!?
I hope to be making a bigger impact on children in the future with a job that I can help them on a higher level. I also hope to make a big impact and spread the word so far in the world that we will no longer hear “Sclero-what?”! That one day enough doctors and scientists will know about us and that more treatments will be readily available. It starts with us!
Is there anything else you would like to share?
I want to say that I know scleroderma is not easy! I have come far from being diagnosed. And it took A LOT of fighting. Having a great support system is key to keeping up this fight. I want so many warriors to know they’re not alone. There is a lot of support available through groups, resources, online groups, amazing doctors, etc.
I would have not been here now without my amazing support system, which includes my family, Cam, my friends, my doctors, support group friends, strangers who root for me! It really has made all the difference!
Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook (@sclerounited) to see more scleroderma warriors’ journeys in our weekly Sclero Sunday series.
Are you a scleroderma warrior? We’d love to interview you for Scleroderma Stories! Please visit tinyurl.com/share-my-sclero-story or email us at contact@sclerounited.us
