Walking/ Donating to End Lupus. Join Me?
I was diagnosed with SLE Lupus in 2012. It has been journey of ups and downs and twists and turns. Appointments with many specialists, trial periods on many different drugs and an amazing holistic journey as well. I’ve learned so much about myself and my health. What to do and what not to do. It has been an emotional roller coaster that has brought out courage and strength I didn't know I had. Dealing with a disease like Lupus is unpredictable and stressful. You can have a good day and by the evening be bedridden for a week. The financial side is extremely stressful. My medications alone cost me several hundred dollars a month and that doesn’t include $50 a specialist visit (i have several specialists that I see at least every 3 months if not more.) I am a single mom, doing my best to survive on a very small income.
The first 5 years of diagnosis were extremely tough. I had no idea how to live with this disease. I was in extreme pain, depressed, scared and honestly felt alone. I had no idea what this meant for me, my friendships, marriage, and I felt the type of mother I had always linged to be was taken from me..I worked for a while until I just couldn’t anymore. I was deemed disabled a few years later. In 2016, 2 months after separation from my husband at the time, I was hospitalized for lupus induced pancreatitis, kidney stones, and a double kidney infection. I was heartbroken, hurting, scared, and stressed beyond belief.
After a week in the hospital, I knew I had to make a change. My circumstances were not what I had hoped but they were my reality. So, instead of giving up, I took charge of my emotional and physical health, worked extremely hard and eventually built my strength back up. I went from barely being able to walk half a mile to jogging then running. I ran consistently for about 3 years, but January of 2020, I fell and i haven’t been able to run the same since...
Then Covid happened! Talk about a stressful challenge. My body definitely suffered, I had begun to lose my hair in massive amounts every day, along with other symptoms like Rashes, swollen joints, skin aches, muscle burning, easy bruising, chest pain, extreme bouts of nausea, migraines, extreme fatigue (well, I'm always exhausted), and anxiety. This year I am doing better with thise things but still on the mend.. BUT, I AM NOT BEDRIDDEN and for that I am GRATEFUL! I have begin to slowly but surely turn things around!
I will not give up! Jesus Christ and the beautiful people He has brought into my life have been my peace, comfort and strength through all of this!! In Him, I continue to fight each day for my health, my quality of life, and to be the best mom to my amazing 12 year old son. I am so blessed to have a son that fights with me and for me!!! He is my “Why!”
So I'd like to give a huge shout out to AJ, my dude, who has done more for me than I could ever put into words and I am so grateful for him and his life. He is my greatest blessing!
Lastly, I will continue to advocate and educate others on this horrific disease! And by donating and walking with us you are joining my fight! So please join us! We need all the suppirt we can get!
I look forward to one day being able to say I used to have Lupus!
Thank you for taking time to read part of my story!!!!
XO, Me