~: May 2009

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Lupus Support Group

I am co-facilitator for Westmoreland County in PA for a Lupus Support Group. If you know someone in our area, please have them contact me via email at ekada3004@msn.com for specific details. We meet every first Wednesday evening at 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM at Excella Health Westmoreland Hospital in Greensburg PA.

Our mission is to bring fellowship, understanding, research, speakers to inform us with topics such as specifics of medication, clothing that will protect our skin, what nutrition would be good for our tired, fatigued souls; and much more. We are here for YOU and we want YOU to come up with the topics that are important for you. Let's work together to help one anotherhe to acheive the best possible life. Hope to hear from you!

Monday, May 18, 2009

I have been diagnosed with Lupus for over 12 years. I went through three years of not knowing what was wrong with me as Lupus has likes to mimic so many other deceases. It was a very trying time for me and felt so out of control. Little did I know about three years later, I would find out I have Lupus. Boy did I have mixed feelings! First I was thrilled that it was not all in my head and second....what is Lupus? I ran home...pulled out a very old medical dictionary and read horrible paragraphs about my fate. Needless to say that this book was indeed very old leaving me with a very grim outlook. I knew that I had to find other resources to help me learn as much about this decease as possible...if I was going to fight this.

About Lupus

What is lupus? Lupus (LOO-puhss) is a chronic, autoimmune (aw-toh-ih-MYOON) disease that can damage any part of the body (skin, joints, and/or organs inside the body). Chronic means that the signs and symptoms tend to last longer than six weeks and often for many years. In lupus, something goes wrong with our immune system, which is the part of the body that fights off viruses, bacteria, and other germs (“foreign invaders,” like the flu). Normally our immune system produces proteins called antibodies that protect the body from these invaders. Autoimmune means your immune system cannot tell the difference between these foreign invaders and our body’s healthy tissues (“auto” means “self”). In lupus, our immune system creates autoantibodies (AW-toh-AN-teye-bah-deez), which attack and destroy healthy tissue. These autoantibodies cause inflammation, pain, and damage in various parts of the body.
When people talk about “lupus,” they usually mean systemic lupus erythematosus (ur-uh-thee-muh-TOH-suhss), or SLE. This is the most common type of lupus. Studies suggest that more than 16,000 new cases are reported annually across the country.
Although lupus can affect almost any organ system, the disease, for most people, affects only a few parts of the body. For example, one person with lupus may have swollen knees and fever. Another person may be tired all the time or have kidney trouble. Someone else may have rashes.
Normally, lupus develops slowly, with symptoms that come and go. Women who get lupus most often develop symptoms and are diagnosed between the ages of 15 and 45. But the disease also can develop in childhood or later in life.
For most people, lupus is a mild disease. But for others, it may cause serious problems. Even if your lupus symptoms are mild, it is a serious disease that needs treatment. It can harm your organs and put your life at risk if untreated. It is also helpful to arm ourselves with the correct information, find out all we can about lupus in order to fight the this "wolf". The butterfly symble represents the butterfly rash that some lupus patients have on their face.

Saturday, May 30, 2009

Lupus Support Group

Monday, May 18, 2009

About Me

About Lupus

Lupus Small Butterfly Bracelet

Lupus One Large Butterfly Fundraiser Bracelet

Lupus Bracelet Fundraiser!!!!

Lupus Foundation of America

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