RI chapter of the VF is on it's way!

Since I haven't updated this blog in quite a while, I figured it was long overdue!

Since my last post, I've been busy.  In early November, I attended the Boston chapter of the Vasculitis Foundation.  Needless to say, I was very impressed with the meeting -- it was informative, had a well-known physician who has treated patients with Vasculitis as a speaker, and I even got to meet three people with CSS!  The meeting had a good turnout (about 25 to 30 people).  The leader of the Boston chapter is happy to lend advice for getting this chapter off the ground and for that, I am grateful.  Some of the Boston chapter meeting members are meeting in January 2009 to discuss details and tour the site of the Vasculitis Awareness Walk slated to take place in May 2009.  If I can attend the meeting in January, I will post some details on this blog for your reading pleasure!

The task of forming the RI chapter of the VF is starting to take shape.  The VF has sent out letters to all of their contacts within the RI radius stating that a local chapter is forming and asking for interest.  I've already gotten some positive responses!  With those positive responses, I've starting looking forward to the first meeting after the holidays.  The first meeting will be quite informal -- more of a forum for everyone to meet each other and discuss what they expect to get from the group.  At this point, I'm looking to starting building a list of physicians in the area that may be able to help our group raise awareness.  My mother is even recruiting some of the medical staff in the facilities that she's been in!  So far, I've gotten three doctors to agree to post some brochures in their offices.  I'm confident that the group can make a difference!

Now - for an update on my mother:

On December 6th, my mother transferred from the Rehabilitation Hospital of RI to Oak Hill Nursing Home & Rehabilitation Center in Pawtucket.  So far, she's really liking this facility.  They were able to stand her up between the parallel bars today (12/9/2008) so that's a good start.  She continues to maintain a positive attitude and that helps tremendously!  Today she started her outpatient dialysis treatment.  Every facility that she's been in so far has had in-house dialysis but since Oak Hill doesn't, she's going to Johnston for treatments three days a week.  Progress continues slowly but surely!

I think that's my updates in a nutshell.  I'll post again soon!