My mother-in-law found out that she has systemic scleroderma a number of years ago. She has been progressing downward. She since has been admitted to the ICU for a heart attack.

She had worked as a custodian for a number of years, and that may be a factor in causing her scleroderma as she had worked with and had been exposed to a number of chemicals that had possibly brought on the scleroderma. Has anyone else out there been a custodian and now suffers this affliction?

~ Update 7-18-04 ~

I am sorry to say since my last entry, my mother-in-law passed away. Her TPN tube (feeding tube) became infected which entered her blood stream, causing several of her organs to shut down. She was a very brave woman who never complained about her bowel obstructions which became more frequent. She lived life to the fullest, keeping her family close to her, because of this I believe she was able to live fifteen years with the disease.

She had systemic scleroderma that affected her internal organs. Sandy fought hard and tried everything to combat this disease. Her TPN was a life saver as her stomach no longer worked. The TPN added several years to her life, several years that she spent watching her three grandsons play hockey and her granddaughter sing in the church choir. She also cherished these years with her best friend, soul mate, and husband of forty years.

Sandy, you will be truly missed.