A singer and a fighter

[Guest guest]

A singer and a fighter

http://www.journal-news.net/page/content.detail/id/513600.html?nav=5064

By Tricia Lynn Strader/Special to The Journal

POSTED: December 22, 2008

HANCOCK, Md. - Tori is determined to win.

For ten years, the band Possum Holler has been racking up hit records and

lead singer Tori even auditioned for Nashville Star. Their

" Substantially Blue " CD was named one of the top independent albums by Indie

Music Magazine in 2006. leads a pretty active life. also

works full-time as a music director/radio personality for WAYZ 104.7 and

WPPT 92.1 in Greencastle, Pa. and in the warmer months, she plays several

dates a year with Possum Holler.

From her energy and vibrant personality on stage, one would never know that

deals with several health conditions every day - she fights battles

with the autoimmune rheumatic diseases of rheumatoid arthritis, Raynaud's

disease and systemic scleroderma. Just last week, she was diagnosed with a

thyroid disorder.

" It's hard for me to get up in the morning, " she says. " I'm in a constant

state of feeling like I have the flu. I am achy, chilly a lot, and tired. "

Still, does not let it get her down and it's not something she

normally talks about.

" Everyone has something going on. There are others who are worse off than

me, " she says. " But I started to talk about it a while back because I want

to help someone else if I can. "

's first diagnosis was arthritis and Raynaud's a few years ago

within only 3 months of a partial mastectomy. She went to her family doctor

after she had noticed her fingers would intermittently turn white or blue.

He referred her to a rheumatologist who made the diagnosis from blood work.

Rheumatoid arthritis is an inflammatory condition causing pain and stiffness

in the joints, often including the hands and feet. Raynaud's is a condition

that causes some areas of the body such as the fingers, toes, tip of the

nose or ears to feel numb and cool in response to cold temperatures or

stress. Arteries that supply blood to the skin narrow, limiting blood

circulation. The affected areas can turn white in color, and then blue or

black as blood flow is severely limited. There are two types - primary,

where there seems to be no other underlying disease, and secondary, where

Raynaud's can be an initial sign of rheumatoid arthritis.

Arthritis does not run in the family and 's not sure what caused it,

but she began a process of prayer, diet, and medication.

" It is painful, " she says. " Some days are worse than others and some days

are really bad. "

Since Raynaud's causes her to feel cold much more often than the rest of us,

she says she must wear gloves all year long and she has to keep her home

warmer than most.

" Going to the grocery store, people wonder about my wearing gloves, " the

singer says. " Stores and restaurants feel cold. I can't enjoy dinner out

because it's too cold. People stare sometimes or ask me about the gloves.

Only then do I usually tell anyone. "

When an attack of Raynaud's occurs, says her fingers turn dark

blue, almost black. Recently it has begun to extend to her entire hand.

" The darker they get, the number they become, " she continues. " Each attack

causes more damage. "

As circulation improves, the affected areas turn red, throb, tingle or

swell. It is not frostbite, and signs and symptoms depend on the frequency,

duration and severity of the blood vessel spasms. The cause is not known.

But cold temperatures or stress can bring on an attack.

Anyone can develop Raynaud's but the primary kind often manifests in women

ages 15 to 25. It is more common in colder climates. About one-third of

those with primary Raynaud's have a first-degree relative with it also.

There are various treatments such as medications, chemical injection or

surgery - even amputation in severe cases.

However, 's health concerns did not stop there. About a year ago,

she says, she noticed she couldn't reach her hands above her head.

" My skin was tight. It felt like my skin was tearing and hurt a lot, " she

says. " I couldn't spread my fingers well and there were new lines around my

mouth. "

Although there had been no diagnosis at the time, she she says she felt in

her gut that she had scleroderma - a chronic connective tissue disease.

Scleroderma is in the autoimmune rheumatic diseases category with hardening

of the skin as one of the most visible manifestations. There are degrees of

the disease as well. Systemic scleroderma - which has - can attack

the major organs. Symptoms vary and effects can range from mild to

life-threatening.

" I'd seen a movie on television several years ago about scleroderma, " she

says. " At the time, I cried through most of the movie and thought, I hope

nobody I know ever has to go through that. I mentioned it to a girl at work

who did some Internet research and came to the same conclusion I had. "

Diagnosis is sometimes difficult, and it may be misdiagnosed. According to

www.scleroderma.org, there are an estimated 300,000 people in the United

States who have scleroderma, of which one-third have the systemic form. It

can develop in any age group. The exact cause is unknown and there is no

cure. Treatments usually involve treating particular symptoms. Some

medications such as immuno suppressants are used.

Because it was around the holidays, she says she put it off.

" I didn't want to know ... worry myself more. I had other things to deal

with, " she says. Because my skin was affected, I thought a dermatologist was

the way to go, but I couldn't get past the receptionists of one within a

hundred miles. I caused myself a lot of tears and frustration and I believe

if I'd have gotten to see one, he would have referred me to the right kind

of doctor sooner, a rheumatologist ... Don't put off seeing a doctor. "

When she was first diagnosed she had thoughts of her limited mortality, of

" never seeing this, or that. " But, the doctor told her, unlike the person in

the movie, there was no indication she had a limited amount of time left.

" Still, it took 24 hours to get it out of my system, " says.

" They've come a long way with treatment since that movie. They can't cure

it, but they can slow the progression. "

takes five different medications every morning and 12 vitamin

supplements because, she says, the drugs deplete her vitamin supply. She

takes another pill to help with the Raynaud's at supper time and uses

homeopathic supplements to help with inflammation.

does get the occasional moments of depression when looking in the

mirror.

" I've always been thin, but it makes me look more gaunt, if that's the right

word. The skin on my arms is very tight around the bones, " she says. " My

lips have drawn to the inside of my mouth and I can't touch the top of my

front teeth with my tongue ... little things we take for granted. My hair is

thin. I eat like a pig according to my husband, but I look thin. "

She can't go all night on stage anymore and has to get a lot of rest, but

she keeps a positive attitude because she won't let it beat her.

" I get over the occasional moment and go on, " she says.

hopes to raise awareness of her health battles just in case someone

out there has similar symptoms.

" There may be other people in the area who have the same thing and may feel

alone, " she says. " I've had two people contact me since I went public. If

the opportunity comes up to talk about it, I will. "

Maybe one day there will be a cure for one or all of her conditions. In the

meantime, she can be heard on the air or seen at concerts.

" I can't wonder about what is down the road and my time depends on how and

which organs get affected by the scleroderma and in what order, "

says. " I just thank Jesus I can get out of bed every morning. This is what

I've got now and I am going to kick its butt! "