Being chronically ill is a lot of responsibility. I must make decisions consciously, as doing so may have repercussions, some of which may be serious. From going out with my friends, to eating or participating in sports, there isn’t a time I’m not solely responsible for my…
Even before my lupus diagnosis, my body has had amazing accuracy when forecasting the weather. For someone with arthritis, this becomes an unwanted superpower of sorts. Because when the rain hits, so  does the stiffness and pain in my joints. While painkillers can mask the excruciating painful limitations,…
How can I help create awesome memories in a home of your own? There were years spent telling people the value of their home as an appraiser, and then years helping people find the American dream of owning their own homes. I had a blast turning…
We live in a society where too often the assumption is that the future is guaranteed. But it’s not. I’ve spent too much of my life holding out for that “rainy day.” However, being diagnosed with lupus has taught me that it’s crucial to make it count…
When I was a teenager, everything felt as if it was a crisis. A bad hair day, a pimple on picture day, a breakup with the kid whose name you can’t even remember now, had you strewn across your bed with mascara streaks down your face…
I’ve never been one for what is referred to by my family as “land sports.” Translation: I’m clumsy, uncoordinated and when solid ground is beneath me I’ll most likely either trip over my own feet, or run into something. I’ve always been that way. However, in the…
There are a lot of sleepless nights with lupus. It feels as if I spend many of my nights awake, and my days trying to take naps to catch up. For someone who was blessed with the nickname “The Hurricane,” this is a huge transition. Going from…
My Prada high heels were the best thing in my closet. They had that sweet Italian leather scent that only a woman would know. Purchased at a second-hand store, they were a soft light-brown suede wedge that made my calves look runway ready. Even my five-foot-one fairy frame seemed tall and…
The thing about living with an invisible illness is that upon first glance, to the naked eye, you wouldn’t believe I have it. But let me open up my world to you and take you on a tour. You might not notice it at first, but if you…
There are so many things that make America a wonderful place to live. However, after I was diagnosed with lupus I felt as if the U.S. was not the best place for me to remain because of the healthcare I was receiving. For…