Inspire, Summer 2004

Inspire 21 Pain n. A somatic sensation of acute discomfort. For Karen Chrestensen Reno ’74, pain is something she knows only too well. For 13 years, she has been living in physical pain. In March of 1991 Karen was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The path her life has taken since the diagnosis has been painful, but Karen has weathered it gracefully. Before the arthritis set in, Karen was an active military wife, mother of three busy kids, a quilter, and a teacher. Then she began having stiff finger pain. Six weeks later her hands were unable to button clothing, cut food with a knife, or quilt. She had to use cortisone to reduce inflammation, and for the first eight months, the pain was almost constant. “The stiffness and pain were incomprehensible. I was unable to sleep more than an hour or two at a time,” Karen explained. Prior to her diagnosis, Karen had no idea what RA was, but she soon discovered that it is life-changing and moves quickly. “Aggressive medical treatments were unable to stop the rapid deterioration,” she said. “I had a hip replaced seven years ago, tendon and wrist surgeries followed several months later, and then I had the metatarsals removed on both feet.” The physical changes from RA have been dramatic, but other less obvious changes have been serious as well. Depression and lack of sleep were commonplace for Karen. RA was “instant aging,” and that affected the entire Reno family. Karen says they all learned servanthood up close and personal. Karen has incredible respect for each of her family members. Karen’s daughter, Rachel ’00, took over many household responsibilities and proved to be an excellent cook. “Rachel even did college via the Internet while I was facing multiple surgeries,” Karen explained. Her son, Joseph ’03, provided emotional support by sharing favorite books and talking with his mother. “Joshua ’06 provided personal security and laughter detail. He later became my driver and logged 15,000 miles his first six months of driving!” she exclaimed. Her husband, Loren ’70, has been her constant companion and supporter. She said, “He brought color back into my life. He took me to my favorite dress shop and asked the saleslady to help me try on absolutely lovely outfits. He took me for rides in the country, listened to my heart, and taught our sons to be gentle gentlemen. He even woke me up from surgery singing ‘God is Good.’” Through her family’s experience, Karen now realizes that families and caregivers of those with pain hurt and need attention, too. The pain and physical ramifications of RA have changed Karen’s life in small ways as well as big ways. “It has slowed me down, and I make fewer quilts,” she expressed. “I can’t wear wedding rings or clothing that I can’t get myself into. I have to shop for cars with an eye on joint-saving devices. I use large pens. Bike riding is out, and gone are my days of marathon traveling.” Karen also has found that she has an increased need for sleep. Even so, Karen is the picture of grace under fire. She weathers pain like a rose which, though battered in a storm, remains strong, sharing its ever-present beauty even as dark clouds hover above. Karen is one of those warm, engaging people you want to visit with for hours on end. She quipped, “I feel like a ’57 Chevy: valuable, but really in need of body work!” There are many things Karen believes the pain of RA has taught her that she might not have learned otherwise. Compassion tops the list. “Every person’s pain is real,” she explained. “Emotional pain seems worse than physical pain, but both need to be treated.” She added that the loss in quality of life hurts, too. “It’s not wrong to grieve,” she stated. Never Let It Get You Down B y C e s s n a C a t h e r i n e W i n s l o w