Looking Back on 40 Years with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Dr. Gowing always encouraged me to ask questions and never edged his way to the door of the exam room until I had my answers. He once told me, “Having RA is very humbling. You have to swallow your pride and ask for help.” He was absolutely right. I still struggle with asking for help even after 40 years.

Sarah Troxell and Eric Gowing, MD.

Sarah Troxell and Heidi Schneider, MD.

Richard Moore, MD, and Sarah Troxell.

Sarah Troxell and David Romond, MD.

Communication Is Key

Several years ago I became the patient of Heidi Schneider, MD, in Tyler, Texas. Her rheumatology practice offers a patient portal, called MyChart, which includes the option to “communicate with your doctor.” I have been able to ask a question or report a new development to her, and she usually answers me on the same day. I don’t know how she finds the time to do this, but she does. She is one of the most caring and approachable doctors I have ever known.

My History

Hips: My long-standing RA has seriously damaged my joints, forcing me to have 14 orthopedic surgeries. My trips to the operating room included bilateral hip arthroplasties done in 1994 at age 41. My arthroplasties served me well until 2005, when I noticed a new pain in the iliotibial band area of my right leg. I went to see my orthopedic surgeon, David Romond, MD, of Oshkosh, Wis., who had done my arthroplasties.

He always did his best to communicate what type of surgery he wanted to do, using anything available. Often, he used a 4×4 package, and on it he drew a picture of what he planned to do. After my hip was X-rayed, Dr. Romond showed me the result and, with a very troubled look on his face, said, “Sarah, you need a revision.”

“A what?” I gasped. I had never even heard the word revision before.

Dr. Romond explained that my hip prosthesis had moved down into my femur, and it needed to be replaced. He told me he could not do the revision, because he had not done enough of them. “I want you to see Dr. John Heiner at the University of Wisconsin in Madison. He does revisions all the time.”