Diaries of a Lupus Chick — Marisa Zeppieri

Fa la la la la ―I can’t believe the holidays are here again and another year has come and gone. Fall and winter are my favorite seasons, not only because of the cool crisp air, snowfall, holiday decorations…

I knew I was supposed to be doing something important, but for the life of me, I couldn’t remember what it was. For many of us who struggle with brain fog, this is a common scenario. But…

I remember the first time I learned about photosensitivity and how the blazing South Florida sun was affecting my disease state. For more than 20 years of my life, I lived in Fort Lauderdale, where almost every…

Over the years, sleep has become one of the most-discussed topics in the lupus community, and with good reason. How long we sleep, and the quality of our sleep, may often have the greatest influence on how our…

Can substantial support, or lack of it, affect outcomes for a person living with chronic illness? Simply put, yes. Study after study is showing that support has a direct impact on disease…

Ask anyone with a chronic illness, such as lupus, about some of the biggest challenges they face on a regular basis. One of the biggest issues you will hear about is employment. Working is tough – on one…

A few years ago I returned to New York, my birthplace, in search of colder weather. That may seem strange, but for me the heat and sunlight of South Florida literally was putting my body in a full-time…

Do you have someone in your life who doesn’t understand why you are always “sick and tired?” Is it hard for them to fathom that the illness you have won’t go away after a good nap or latest…

Despite my chronic illness, some days I feel like a rock star. No brain fog, no body pain, no fever. It’s these rare days that often trick me into thinking I am invincible and can do just about…

Work and chronic illness is a tricky combination; for many of us, our minds are often raring to go, but our bodies can sometimes stop us in our tracks. Over the years (through LupusChick), I have met thousands…

A select number of family members and friends have been integral to my well-being and sanity since I was diagnosed with lupus in 2001. I’ve realized over the years that some people are truly compassionate…

For those of us with a chronic illness, I think it is safe to say that, initially, we had no idea how a diagnosis would impact our lives. At the age…