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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…

I live on social media. I constantly share information about food, lupus, business, etc. It seems my day is not complete without at least one post on Facebook or Instagram. As I have shared my lupus journey, people have said things to me that were encouraging. When I…

Late last year, I booked a 16-day Contiki tour in Europe with my sister. Group travel is awesome because there are significant discounts when you travel in a group of 50. Plus, it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to make amazing new friends while exploring the world. But,…

Every time I go for an appointment with my renal doctor, I’m reminded that I’m an anomaly. Before seeing my specialist, I jump on the scales in the waiting room, the procedure for all patients. But as I unlace my shoes and step up to be weighed,…

I have always been a prissy girl, a makeup junkie and a fashionista, so hiking has been a giant ‘no.’ Camping? I don’t think so. But lupus has changed this. Am I physically hiking and camping? No, but mentally, I am going on a daily hike, taking…

Before every appointment with my renal specialist, I have to get blood and urine testing done. In high school, the idea of having to get an injection used to leave me feeling light-headed, now it’s just standard procedure. But even though I’ve gotten used to it, I’m so…

I am a self-professed joy junkie, so when I see too much negativity I either try to counter it or avoid it altogether. This is my mantra for the way I live my life. Even when I had a pity party for myself prior to lupus, I would…

Traveling is one of my greatest passions. From the very first moment I set foot overseas, I was hooked. I love the culture shock and being thrust into a world that’s completely unlike anything I’ve ever known. But traveling with a chronic illness is potentially dangerous on…

Weather is a trigger for lupus. When I was a kid, I would hear older people predict rain based on their arthritis. Well, lupus doesn’t allow me to predict the weather, but I can tell you it seems that when there is dampness in the air, my little…