Zoe Plumley experienced a life-altering medical crisis on Christmas Day 2020, when she suddenly lost the ability to move due to a severe autoimmune condition. What began as routine holiday fatigue transformed dramatically into an agonizing battle with rheumatoid arthritis, leaving the 32-year-old mother struggling with daily tasks and relying on her family for support.
Zoe and her partner, George, were enjoying a festive outing in Bridgend, South Wales, on Christmas Eve. Pushing her newborn daughter, Larna, in a pram, Zoe began to feel increasingly unwell. “I said to my partner that the cold was getting into my bones and I felt really sore,” she recalled. By the end of the evening, she found it impossible to push the pram up a curb, a sign that something more serious was at play.
On Christmas morning, Zoe awoke in excruciating pain. “I couldn’t even pop a paracetamol out of the packet. I couldn’t move,” she said. The inability to engage in simple holiday traditions, like opening presents or cuddling her baby, was devastating. The situation escalated when her family noticed her swelling and difficulty breathing during their Christmas gathering in Somerset. “It was terrifying,” Zoe stated, as her parents watched in shock as she physically ballooned in front of them.
Upon returning home, Zoe’s condition worsened further. She described a sensation as if “all her joints were screaming in pain.” With her partner’s assistance, she managed to reach an out-of-hours GP, who arranged for her to go to accident and emergency. There, she was diagnosed with pneumonia and given pain relief before being sent home. But the relief was short-lived, as Zoe continued to struggle to perform basic activities.
Over the following weeks, Zoe contacted her GP daily, often relying on her son, Logan, who was just ten years old at the time, for assistance. “My GP was amazing – they pushed for an urgent rheumatology referral because my bloods were through the roof,” Zoe said. In January 2021, a specialist confirmed her fears: she had rheumatoid arthritis.
Rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disease that goes beyond mere joint pain. It can severely impact individuals’ mobility and quality of life. The condition typically begins in the small joints of the hands and feet, causing intense pain and swelling. Zoe was prescribed methotrexate, a first-line treatment that aims to slow disease progression. “The disease was so aggressive. I’ve now lost the joint in my thumb,” she noted.
Despite her diagnosis, Zoe’s life changed overnight. She now requires the use of two crutches and wears wrist splints, adapting her home for safety. Stiffness upon waking can last for up to an hour, making daily tasks a challenge. “It took a while for it to sink in. I thought it was just another diagnosis, but then came the grief,” she explained, realizing the limitations her condition imposed on her future.
While advances in treatment have improved outcomes for many with rheumatoid arthritis, the condition remains unpredictable. “When I go into a flare, it can take weeks to recover from,” Zoe said. Biological treatments such as adalimumab, etanercept, and infliximab are also options, but they come with risks, including increased susceptibility to infections due to the immunosuppressive nature of the medications.
Living with rheumatoid arthritis has taken a significant mental toll on Zoe. She had to leave her job running a printing business, and George, her partner, has become her primary caregiver. Sadly, he has also been affected, having developed long Covid shortly after Zoe’s diagnosis. “He caught it in January 2021 and has been disabled by it ever since,” Zoe shared.
Their children, Logan and Larna, have adapted to the family’s new reality. Logan has taken on the role of a young carer, learning how to assist his mother with basic tasks. “Some mornings I physically can’t sit up without him or George. It feels like my bones are breaking,” Zoe said.
Despite the challenges, Zoe remains determined. She has transitioned into a role as a disability consultant, running her own company, L&L Specialist Services, which supports others with health conditions and invisible disabilities. “People still assume disability means a wheelchair,” she noted, highlighting the misconceptions surrounding her condition.
Zoe emphasizes the importance of understanding and compassion, stating, “I take each day as it comes. I make the most of the good ones.” Her story serves as a powerful reminder of the resilience of individuals facing chronic health challenges, and her commitment to helping others navigate their own struggles continues to inspire those around her.
