Lupus

Today I reflect on this dreaded dis-ease

called Lupus (SLE), one of the three types that exists. This one is the monster of them all, affecting major organ & inner systems (circulatory,

connective tissues, & neurological.) SLE

reeks havoc on the inside where the

invisible fight occurs on a daily basis...

Oh you can dress up your outer body

and look pretty darn fly, which causes people to say, there’s nothing wrong with you, you look just fine!

My journey started at the age of 40.

It hit me like a ton of bricks! One day

I couldn’t move my limbs I became frozen in time & space. No pain at all

I just couldn’t more my legs and stand on my own two feet! My husband and my son waited until the people around me vanished and carried me to our car.

I slowly began to thaw (like ice melting

away) and resume movement again.

This was happening frequently; Another

time during a Calhoun-take-me-away

moment with candlelight, jazz and bubbles everywhere, I found myself

only able to move my neck and my head, both CRAZY, frightening and embarrassing... Once again being carried to my bedside!

I think the worst thing about lupus is the struggles of uncertainties. One moment you’ll plan to accomplish the smallest things from A To Do List or other times schedule a trip out of town

with family or friends and it becomes

extremely frustrating when you’ve lost control. “Sorry guys I’m in a Flare, I’m

extremely fatigue, my joints ache &

I feel like I’m coming down with the flu.

Can I get do this another time?”

When flares takes over it shuts you down completely!

I remember another spa time, (after

drying myself with the towel) I noticed

my large toe was a dark blue & reddish color, throbbing and tender to the touch

I made that oh too often trip to the ER

for admission, then being told the next day that they will need to amputate

because they discovered a small

abrasions and the infection had gone into my bone....Well to make this long story short I said, You’ve got to be kidding me! Let me think this over!!

I still have my toe, however I was given

a special mixture to sterilize my bath water, No more Calgon.

The list goes on & on with painful moments & unpredictable scenarios...

But at this very moment, After over 12 years of lupus, I’m pain free and totally

HEALED.

Story written by

Shebra Gathers Collins

The Author Of

#HealedBeyondTheSymptoms