What does it feel like to have lupus?

There isn't a minute I spend in this body that it forgets that it is broken. I feel it in every movement, every breath, every step, every touch.  I know deeply, in every cell, that my body has turned on itself and is fighting both for and against its own survival. Lupus has limitless energy & potential for destruction. When you think it  may have quieted, it reappears louder than before. It is a sneaky & unpredictable enemy. It attacks in new ways as time progresses never allowing you to find your footing. When you feel confident that you've compensated for the ways in which it has attacked, it moves onto a new area you didn't realize was vulnerable. You address each attack until the damages are beyond repair and you are added to this list of those lost to this relentless disease.

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING TEAM LOVE SISSY IN THE 2011 & 2012 LUPUS FOUNDATION WALK FOR A CURE! 

My Lupus story...

Every person with Lupus has their own unique story. In my case, I had small signs of the disease throughout childhood, but really began getting sick when I was 18 years old. It took 10 years to reach a Lupus diagnosis. During those 10 years I had approximately 105 different tests, visited 67 doctors, tried 61 different medications, had 24 emergency hospital visits, 16 nerve block procedures, 10 surgeries, & acquired 6 different substantial diagnosis. After my Lupus diagnosis, I have had 3 hospital stays, visit on average 3 doctors per month, have had my entire left hip (a portion of my femur & pelvis) replaced, went from having no use of my legs to relearning how to walk, bend, move, etc. over the course of two months & have 9 substantial diagnosis (including SLE/systemic Lupus, Addison's Disease/adrenal failure, Hypothyroid, Interstitial Cystitis, Chronic Neuropathy/Nerve damage, Hip Dysplasia, Arthritis, Fibromyalgia, & Chronic Tachycardia.  I am currently on 12 medications, take a total of 25 pills per day, & take medication 4 times per day.  Lupus is a constant battle, but I am determined to live life the absolute best that I can & to be as loving and helpful as I can be to the people around  me. With Lupus there is always something new that it is attacking & there is always something new to get under control. It can knock you down & can take your life at any time, but I am not afraid. My goal every day is to fear nothing & love everything. Throughout all these years, the love of my life & my best friend has been by my side & I am grateful every day for that gift. We met in 1995, began dating in 2001, married in 2006, & are still hanging out and laughing at life all these years later.  My siblings are my best friends & I have talented, creative, and patient friends. I am lucky in a million ways & although this path is difficult I would walk it 10 times to get to spend this life with the people that surround me.