Hi, my name is Linda. I live in Australia. I am 42 yrs. old, divorced and have 3 children.

In 1982 when 18 months after the birth of my third child I ws dx'd with Chron's Disease which is an Auto-immune disease of the bowel. Over the next 7 yrs. I spent alot of time in and out of the hospital for one reason or another.

In 1989 I went back to full time work after spending 13 yrs. at home raising my 3 children. The job I got was one that I loved and I was enjoying it so much, but I always seemed to be just so very tired. I put this down to having a full time job and running a home. Then on a visit to the Doc's he performed a routine blood test which showed that I had Auto-immune haemoltic anemia which resulted in me going to the hospital and receiving blood transfusions. I was also given a large dose of cortisone.

I blew up like a balloon and I was tested for Lupus but it was negative. I went back to work sooner than my Dr. wanted me to, but I just wanted to get back to the job I loved. I had alot of trouble with my blood counts in the months that followed, then in Feb. 1990 it was decided by two Dr.'s getting their heads together that the best way to fix the problem was for me to have my spleen removed, as that was where the red blood cells were dying. So off I went to have my operation, I was tested again for Lupus and again it was negative. I know thought the worst was behind me......LOL.

I woke up one morning about 6 weeks after the operation to find I had this rash down my nose and across my cheeks, was tested again for Lupus and BINGO, it was positive. If only I knew then what I know now! But I guess it would not change anything.

Then in June 1990 I left my husband when I found out that he was sexually abusing my two daughters. What followed in the months and years has been a very traumatic and difficult time, what with a messy divorce and court cases. With the love and support of God, we have come through this time a bit worse for wear but we have survived.

In 1995 I had to have 20cms of my bowel removed because of my Chron's and I thought that would fix the trouble. NOT. In 1997 I had an ileostomy peformed ( I now have a poo bag) which isn't much fun!!

I guess I am like most Lupies, I have the aches and pains, I have arthritis in most of my joints and I now suffer from FM, so most days I have trouble just moving from A to B, I always feel just not quite well. I would have to say my biggest problem or the one that worries me the most is that I suffer from cluster migranes which nothing seems to help and they last for days and weeks at a time.

I refuse to Give In or Quit, I will keep going as long as this poor body does, and with the wonderful support of a great Dr. who I call my friend. With the help and support of a loving family and my loving friends and with the help of my lovin lupie family I will survive to live another day.

I have found just so much love and support from my lupie family on the internet. Without you I would be quite mad by now, so thank-you so much. Karen, Beth, Annette, Marcia and all my lupie family I will always be in your debt for saving my sanity.

I love you all so much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am adding onto Linda's story here. This past year she has spent alot of time in the hospital with her terrible migraine headaches. Her 18 yr. old daughter Christine emailed me regularly with the latest updates on her "mum" and she would read my emails to Linda and reply back to me.

Chrissy woke up one morning this summer with a terrible headache and Linda rushed her to the hospital where she immediately went into a coma from a blood clot to the brain. All of their efforts and prayers could not save this child and she died 3 days later.

Linda is grieving terribly and because the internet was something she and Chrissy did together she is not online anymore. I miss her so very, very much and I pray for her everyday because she needs our support. If anyone would like to send her a card or write her a letter PLEASE email me. I feel so helpless but I love her so and I know she needs us.

Love,

Beth