Last week was one of the hardest weeks of my life. That is, with regards to my health. I had mouth sores that made it impossible to eat. A stomach ache that left my dry heaving. Sores in my scalp that were bloody. Swelling in my joints that caused a pain that left me grounded. And fatigue so severe that I felt confused for most of the week.
I'm used to these symptoms. You see, they show up every time I have a LUPUS flare. Sometimes the symptoms are mild and relatively bearable. And then there are times like last week, where I'm certain that death is hovering over my deformed body. And if I'm totally honest, there are days when I know that going with Grim would require much less effort than fighting him off, again.
Flares like this last one leave me terrified of the arrival of the next one. And I promise you, there will be a next one.
Most people have no clue what Lupus is. So I'm going to take a moment to fill you in.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that at times (flares) my immune system believes that my organs are invaders and attacks them much like it would an actual viral or bacterial infection.
Just like a battle with the FLU or Strep, I experience fevers, fatigue, loss of appetite and confusion. What is uncommon during an attack on an outside invader is the hair loss, rashes that burn when touched, sensitivity to light and swollen joints.
It's almost like my body refuses to believe that there is nothing wrong, so it keeps looking causing destruction along the way.
Lupus has a wide range of symptoms that are seemingly unrelated. Therefore, it can take YEARS after the symptoms arrive before receiving a diagnosis. By the time I had gotten diagnosed in 2011, I had been suffering consistently for 6 years. I finally got answers after testing positive for arthritis at the age of 24.
I felt like I had been handed a death sentence. I allowed myself not to care about anything but myself. My behavior was erratically unpredictable. I was depressed and angry with God. Finding out I was pregnant made me regain my senses.
God used my daughter to save my life...
It was because of her that I started to fight back. I went to conferences and support groups. I began to research treatment options and sampled a few before settling on one. I began to share my newly acquired knowledge with anyone who would listen. I want to strip the mystery away from the disease that is seeking to strip the life right out of me.
I have Lupus.
Lupus does not have me.
But it did make me FLY!!! In more ways than one.
When I finally found my wings, I started a team called FLY SQUAD. It's made up of family and friends who walk with me in May to bring awareness to and find a cure for Lupus. The cure may not be found during my lifetime. Most people are just now hearing about the disease.
In the meantime, I will follow my diet and vitamin regimen. I will engage in low-impact exercises (I love the pool). I will vent to my circle. I will commit to NOT committing, so that my stress levels remain manageable. I will get enough sleep. I will drink enough water. I will spread the SPOON THEORY. I will wear purple. I will walk. And I will remain FLY.
Signed,
A Newly Domesticated Lady
For more information about Lupus and Spoon Theory, click the links below!
www.lupus.org
www.butyoudontlooksick.com
I'm used to these symptoms. You see, they show up every time I have a LUPUS flare. Sometimes the symptoms are mild and relatively bearable. And then there are times like last week, where I'm certain that death is hovering over my deformed body. And if I'm totally honest, there are days when I know that going with Grim would require much less effort than fighting him off, again.
Flares like this last one leave me terrified of the arrival of the next one. And I promise you, there will be a next one.
Most people have no clue what Lupus is. So I'm going to take a moment to fill you in.
Lupus is an autoimmune disease. This means that at times (flares) my immune system believes that my organs are invaders and attacks them much like it would an actual viral or bacterial infection.
Just like a battle with the FLU or Strep, I experience fevers, fatigue, loss of appetite and confusion. What is uncommon during an attack on an outside invader is the hair loss, rashes that burn when touched, sensitivity to light and swollen joints.
It's almost like my body refuses to believe that there is nothing wrong, so it keeps looking causing destruction along the way.
Lupus has a wide range of symptoms that are seemingly unrelated. Therefore, it can take YEARS after the symptoms arrive before receiving a diagnosis. By the time I had gotten diagnosed in 2011, I had been suffering consistently for 6 years. I finally got answers after testing positive for arthritis at the age of 24.
I felt like I had been handed a death sentence. I allowed myself not to care about anything but myself. My behavior was erratically unpredictable. I was depressed and angry with God. Finding out I was pregnant made me regain my senses.
God used my daughter to save my life...
It was because of her that I started to fight back. I went to conferences and support groups. I began to research treatment options and sampled a few before settling on one. I began to share my newly acquired knowledge with anyone who would listen. I want to strip the mystery away from the disease that is seeking to strip the life right out of me.
I have Lupus.
Lupus does not have me.
But it did make me FLY!!! In more ways than one.
When I finally found my wings, I started a team called FLY SQUAD. It's made up of family and friends who walk with me in May to bring awareness to and find a cure for Lupus. The cure may not be found during my lifetime. Most people are just now hearing about the disease.
In the meantime, I will follow my diet and vitamin regimen. I will engage in low-impact exercises (I love the pool). I will vent to my circle. I will commit to NOT committing, so that my stress levels remain manageable. I will get enough sleep. I will drink enough water. I will spread the SPOON THEORY. I will wear purple. I will walk. And I will remain FLY.
Signed,
A Newly Domesticated Lady
For more information about Lupus and Spoon Theory, click the links below!
www.lupus.org
www.butyoudontlooksick.com
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