Hurricane in Heels — Kellie McRae

How many times have you heard that we go through ugly things in life to learn a lesson, or to be an example to someone else? The someone else part is a bit annoying, and reminds me of the joke that says “Hey, math, solve your own…

Recently, I realized my life needed to be assessed. I have learned over the small period of time that I have been battling lupus that stress is a huge trigger. My body is always willing to hop all over stress, causing a flare of pain. I used…

I have shared that, because of the quality and cost of healthcare in America, I decided to leave in hopes of finding more affordable healthcare. I sold all I own and moved to Thailand. Thailand has a wonderful culture, and the people here are amazing. It’s…

There are days when you have great energy and minimal pain, and then a flare pops up and changes everything. Your body lets you know about parts you didn’t know existed, and the only reason you found them is because they now hurt like mad. Recently, my body…

This may date me, but who remembers the Christopher Cross song Ride Like The Wind? “It is the night, my body’s weak, I’m on the run, no time to sleep.  I’ve got to ride, ride like the wind, to be free again.” Those lyrics describe how I feel…

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…

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…

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…

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…

When I was first diagnosed with lupus it felt as if my life was dropped on its head. Goodbye to my 17-year career of selling real estate and basking in the Florida sun. Goodbye six-figure income. Goodbye weekly exercise classes, and finally goodbye USA. What was my “normal”…

I made it! On Jan. 1, 2016, I took myself down to the beach. Sitting in Daytona on the white sand on a cool day, wrapped in two blankets because the breezes made me feel as if I was in a winter storm (thanks to Raynaud’s Syndrome), I had…

When my diagnosis was shared with me by the doctor, my mom said “You need to find a support group.” I agreed. I knew that while my family was as supportive as they knew how to be, what I was going through required people who could relate,…