When I was diagnosed with lupus I lived alone, and I still live alone. Because of this I still need to do things like get groceries, even if I have just been released from the hospital with inflamed organs. Some of us “look great,” despite the handicapped placards…
If you’ve traveled far from home, it’s likely you’ve felt jet lag. There’s nothing quite like the euphoria of knowing you’ve got nothing but work-free, relaxing days ahead of you. But there’s also no other phenomenon like jet lag ― unless you live with lupus fatigue. When I…
“Have you tried swimming?” “Maybe you should take an Omega-3 supplement.” “Walking more will help you build your stamina.” As lupus patients battling everything from muscle fatigue to a total lack of energy, we have heard as much as we want of these type of comments from people…
I’ve spent my entire life struggling to consolidate my feelings toward religion. And, while facing an adversity like chronic illness often leads many to turn to one deity or another, this wasn’t the case for me. I’d like to preface this column by clarifying that I have…
We all have our battles when it comes to how we decide to try and tackle lupus after our diagnosis. How we choose to fight it is also quite personal. For me, I…
Some days are good energy days, and some days are low pain days. Sometimes there are days when you are like, “I am going to throw it all to the wind and get what I get.” Recently, I took a trip to Laos and I learned a…
Do you remember that old ketchup commercial about how you had to wait for the thick ketchup to slowly make its way out of the bottle? That ketchup may have been worth the wait, but lately I have noticed a few things about me and anticipation. It’s making…
As I sit writing this in a small pub in Edinburgh, Scotland, I’m both elated and disheartened. In the last 28 days, I’ve traveled in 10 countries throughout Europe, falling more and more in love with each destination I discover. My love for the world has swelled…
Being diagnosed with lupus has taught me a lot, not only about myself but also about my self-worth. Sometimes I used to find myself a bit disheartened when I thought not just about relationships and love but also friendships, worrying too often that because of my chronic illness…
Summer in our family means a lot of fun and a lot of sun. We’re nomadic by nature already, and traveling and camping are a big part of our lives. So, when school lets out, we pack our bags and spend the summer traveling. The boys take a…