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Oct 6th, 2025
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,014
Iron_AS_Kicker
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OP
Iron_AS_Kicker
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,014 |
Dearest AS Kickers, I haven't been around much over the past few years. I do check in and see how everyone else is doing but don't post much anymore. I just wanted to share in my excitement about the newest changes in my life as so many of you went through my awful divorce and hospitalization with me. After being single now for 7 years, I have met my true soul mate. Jimmy and I were married this past June 30th and I now have 2 more daughters, ages 4 and 7. My kids are now 19 and 20 yrs old. What a blessing! And of all things, Jimmy works for the company that makes Enbrel! So he is very schooled in AS and he understood what I was going through. When I first told him I had a rare form of arthritis, he asked me if I had ankylosing spondylitis! I nearly fell out of my chair!  Just the fact that he could pronounce the name, let alone know what it was!!!! Oh my GOSH!!!  As for my AS, I was getting really bad. I found this new doctor who took my off Celebrex, which was ruining my liver and guts, and put me on methotrexate and I am also getting infusions of Remicade, finally covered by my insurance because I have a diagnosis of Crohn's disease. I couldn't get Enbrel for the AS but they will give me Remicade for the Crohn's. Unbelievable. Anyway, my life has changed so much. The Remicade is working so well. I haven't felt like this since I was 13 or 14. I am 40 now. I have so much less pain and so much more energy. Life has never looked better. I just wanted to share that with all my old friends on here and let you know I am alive and kicking! Kickin'AS!!!! I do poke my head in here so even though I am terribly busy, I am never gone. I am so thankful for this place, as we all are. The support here since I first found Brian's board has been amazing. Thank you all for supporting me and helping me get to this place in my life where I am starting a new life over at the age of 40. And all those times I felt hopeless and didn't want to go on...thank you for listening and loving me. I am so glad I didn't end it all out of desperation and your words of encouragement to keep fighting are the main reason I am here today with a wonderful new life. I thank you all.....  Cristina in California
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,342
Bronze_AS_Kicker
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Bronze_AS_Kicker
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 1,342 |
Cristina,
I'm so glad things are finally going you're way. I remember reading some of your stories in the past. You certainly deserve the blessings that God has given you now. Please take care and take care of that wonderful new hubby of yours.
Stay in touch whenever possible,
Glenn
"If God were small enough for your minds, He wouldn't be big enough for your needs."
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,179 Likes: 23
AS Czar
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AS Czar
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,179 Likes: 23 |
Hey, Cristina:
Congratulations!
Glad you finally resurfaced to let us know how you are doing.
Annie was asking about you recently, so a big "hello" from her, also.
Much Happiness,
John
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Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,014
Iron_AS_Kicker
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OP
Iron_AS_Kicker
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,014 |
Thank you Glenn, thank you John. I sure miss you all.
John, give Annie a big hug for me and tell her I hope we can all get together again sometime, somewhere. She is such a sweetheart! (And you are too, of course!!!!)
Big hugs,
Cristina
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,187 Likes: 7
Very_Addicted_to_AS_Kickin
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Very_Addicted_to_AS_Kickin
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 18,187 Likes: 7 |
CRISTINA!!! CONGRATULATIONS MRS!!!
I am so very happy for you, Cristina. You have been through far too much and deserve to be happy. As for Remicade...
Doesn't the Remi-miracle ROCK??!!! I know exactly how you feel and pray that it continues for you.
Please give Jimmy a big hug from me to welcome him into the KA family. And then get one back (from me) because you are so great.
Warm hugs,
Kat
A life lived in fear is a life half lived.
"Strictly Ballroom"
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,248 Likes: 5
Addicted_to_AS_Kickin
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Addicted_to_AS_Kickin
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,248 Likes: 5 |
WHat a great post to read.
Congratulations to you and Jimmy.
Congratulations on getting Remicade and enormous AS relief.
Sometimes its not so bad to be too exhausted to check in here. Much better to have a life that is so full there isn't time for peeking in here even though you'd love too.
If you just added a 4 and 7 yer old to part of your life your going to need a lot of energy and time.
Best wishes, my friend.
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,192
Major_AS_Kicker
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Major_AS_Kicker
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 2,192 |
Congratulations!!! On the marriage, and the remicade. A good time to get Remicade just as you start a new life. Way to go. Kandis and I are still coming to Southern California the first part of October. Hope we can go to dinner.
Steve Orchard, Running from AS & MS
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,552 Likes: 10
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Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 9,552 Likes: 10 |
Hi Cristina,
Sounds like great news all around. Jimmy sounds like a good guy, wishing you many years of happiness.
Glad to hear the remicade is working for you, hopefully it continues to for a long time.
Tim
AS may win some battles, but I will win the war.
KONK - Keep ON Kicking
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 295
Third_Degree_AS_Kicker
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Third_Degree_AS_Kicker
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 295 |
Cristina,
Congrats! Who would have thought that knowing what ankylosing spondylitis is could be such a turn on? : )I'd be impressed too.
Aly
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Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 849
Ninja_AS_Kicker
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Ninja_AS_Kicker
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 849 |
Bent but not broken.
Yoly
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