It strated off as a simple case of lupus but in the past couple of months have escalated into something even the doctors never thought would happen.

  At the age of 15 I developed many symptoms and signs of lupus that were easily recognizable but were overlooked due to my age. By the age of 16 I was in college starting my first year of  nursing. Many doctors who I saw for these plaguing symptoms told me it is related to the stress of being so young and going to college. As I completed the first year and summer was approaching I started feeling even worse then before. Received a 1st degree sun burn from being in the sun for 13 minutes. That should have giving the doctors a clue.   

Again blood work done showed the beginning of lupus but my previous family doctor did not find it of any significance since I was way to young to have any serious illness. As the next year came and went I was having problems with sleep and with constant pain, swollen lymph nodes and infected throats. The doctor insisted once I have my tonsils, adenoids, ears drained & drain tubes put in, sinuses flushed and drainedI will feel like a million dollars. It did not do a thing to help. Then he said it is alleriges and decided I should have testing and shots. They did find out I am allergic to countless environmental things. My allergy doc said allergy shots can help. He at the time did not realize that with lupus it could cause a serious problem. I got through the first dose and onto the second. Both the doctor and I were confident I would make it through the final and last dose. But we were both horribly wrong. I had a severe reaction that caused my heart muscle and arties/veins to go into a severe spasm. Almost causing a cardiac arrest. Two days later I was back at work.  

Finally I graduated with the hightest mark the college has ever seen and I was only 18. Again the problems were chalked up to being so young as a graduated nurse who was preparing for licensing exams and adjusting to working fulltime in a very demanding profession.  

Another year went on. Finally a doctor who was only used for pediatric rheumatology patients did a favor for my father and came to my residence to visit with me and do a consult and review blood work and other tests. He said he knew what was wrong right a way. LUPUS! He got me into seeing the best rheumatologist in the world next to Dr. Wallace. My rheumie was located in Toronto, Ontario Canada. This doctor was able to help me figure out a course to follow and finally gave me hope. I learned to cope with the barriers and limitations with not only his help but overwhelming help and support from my family and friends. During the last 10 years I developed many other health conditions: fibromyaliga, chronic fatigue immune dysfunction syndrome, restless leg syndrome, chronic pain syndrome, vascular problems, anklyosing spondlyitis, osteoarthritis, irritable bladder, irritable bowel, pleurisy, pericarditis, dental problems, skin scaring, memory problems, numerous infections especially bladder, menstraul problems, cognitive problems and muscle/nerve problems, CNS involvement, constant migraines, and several other less serious problems.  

About 2 years ago I had to retire from nursing leaving behind the only profession I knew and loved. Many other changes had to occur in my life but I do know that it happens for a reason and instead of questioning it we should just go with it and realize everything happens for a reason in life.  

As of October 14, 1999 I was diagnosed with a moderate case of liver disease (hepatomegaly) related to LUPUS and gallstones. This will probably cause me in the next few years to need a new liver but no matter what I can handle it. I have suffered 2 small strokes as of the beginning of October due to "adipose" embolis dislodging from the liver and landing in my brain. The damage has been slightly noticable but I am still functioning like nothing ever happened.  

Lupus is evil and there is no two ways about it. But, in saying that lupus has given me a new lease on life. I am writing 2 books, made countless number of awesome friends and have been able to use my medical/nursing education and experience to help others overwhelmed by medical procedures, technical terms and generally just learning to deal with being ill.  

I look at each day as a new start in life. I know I will be in pain for ever  but it does not change the fact there is still a world out there that I am a part of and I made the conscious choice of not giving up or giving in.  

Many other lupus patients are my inspiration to go on and live. Thank you for  reading my story.

  Paula