J meets the AS doctor!

The Ankylosing Spondylitis (AS) patients in J's support group met up for an annual dinner thingy and this year, the hospital invited Dr Asim Khan. J was to introduce him before he gave his talk and after the whole event, he grabbed the opportunity to get the man's autograph!



When J was diagnosed with AS in 2005, we were desperate for answers. We found them in the book that Dr Asim wrote. It was the only copy in Kinokuniya, which probably explains why none of J's friends in the support group has read it. AS is a chronic, progressive, painful inflammatory rheumatic disease. However, because J does not complain even when he is in immense pain and he tries not to let the illness cripple his life, many of our friends and even our families don't know or think much of this disease. We are grateful that the attacks come on and off and he is not in excruciating pain 24/7. Plus, there are now drugs that can combat the pain to a great extent. The down side to the drugs? Possible heart failure. :(

Nevertheless, we are thankful for each day and certainly we draw inspiration from Dr Asim, the doctor who has the disease himself and devotes his life to finding ways to help others with the AS.

Read about Dr. Asim Khan's story here.