I had been out of work for a year, and I decided to go back because I had begun to gain a lot of weight. So as I began to work, within the first 3 weeks, my body began to do all kinds of things. I began to swell, and my body ached badly. I had migraines and trouble staying focused. I began to take over-the-counter medication that didn’t help, so I ended up in the emergency room 3 or 4 times in one week. I finally decided to follow up with the doctor on the discharge sheet. I scheduled the appointment, and after a few visits and different meds that didn’t help, I sat down with Dr. Sawyer, and she went over a few things with me. She explained to me she had a family member that had the same issues and ended up having lupus, so she tested me, and my test came back positive for lupus and Sjogren’s. My whole life felt like it was sitting in my lap. She then referred me to a rheumatologist, where the tests also came back positive for both.
As I began to live a life with lupus and Sjogren’s, everything was different because I went from no meds to taking meds on a daily basis. This was in 2011, when I was diagnosed. Time went on, and I continued to try to work in pain, but there were days I just couldn’t make it, between being swollen, having pain in my legs and arms, migraines, feeling like trash in my eyes, and just aching! I was torn because my kids didn’t have their normal mom. I couldn’t do many things with them like playing basketball, fishing, etc., due to being super sun sensitive! I ended up coming out of work because of my health.
Now in 2015, I’ve also been diagnosed with fibromyalgia, high blood pressure, depression, anxiety, endometriosis, and vitamin D and B-12 deficiency…. but God!! In this journey I’ve had some awesome people here for me! My God who is the head of my life, my in-home family, my Pain 2 Praise group, my therapist Apostle/Dr. Latina Williams, my friend who is also a Lupus Survivor, Apostle/Dr. Michelle Nelson, and a few more. They helped in our home (my children and my love), with getting back and forth to doctors (my love), keeping my spirits lifted, staying positive, and words of encouragement! They help me to prove my doubters wrong.
I’m proud that I’m able to help someone else. I’ve stepped out and have begun to go to conferences, thanks to my Pain 2 Praise group. Hopefully soon I’ll be able to start my own support group in the city where I live.
My advice to others is to keep yourself in positive environments, around positive people, and speak positively of yourself! Always remember to encourage yourself!
I WILL SURVIVE. I AM MORE THAN A CONQUEROR. I LOVE ME AND WHAT GOD HAS FOR ME IS FOR ME!!!
Something you should know:
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it!! If you’re able, and even if you’re not, P.U.S.H (Pray Until Something Happens) your way anyhow!! Know that I LOVE YOU WHETHER I KNOW YOU OR NOT!
Natasha
North Carolina
Submitted 04/27/2015
The informational content of this article is intended to convey a personal experience and, because every person’s experience is unique, should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional healthcare advice.
