Although, not widely recognized like breast cancer, October is also Lupus Awareness Month. Unlike breast cancer, this affliction hits home.
The woman you see in the wedding gown has been one of my best friends since high school. Shortly after her wedding in 2006, she was diagnosed with Lupus.
When she told me, she was in tears & I was certainly taken aback. I had no clue of what to say. I had heard of Lupus but really had no idea what it was. She explained what she had gone thru & all I could do was cry.
I'm happy to report my friend is doing well & enjoying her life. She has a great husband who knows what those vows meant.
I pray for my friend's healing & I know, with God, all things are possible.
She will be celebrating her 38th birthday in a few weeks & God willing, I'll be right there celebrating with her.
My next door neighbor has lupus and it's no joke.
ReplyDeleteYou friend will be in my prayers.
One of our connects suffers from it too, but I'll let her chime in.
ReplyDeleteI have a good friend whose mother suffers from lupus as well. My prayers are lifted up for your friend and I am glad she is doing well and has loving people in her corner to help her through.
ReplyDeleteOctober is awareness month all around.
I had a cousin die of it years ago. She was a month away from graduating high school. My prayers for her family and friends.
ReplyDeleteI went to high school with someone who had lupus, and she died just short of graduation. I know other women who have the condition. I'm not I'm finding out there are different forms of lupus. Another good friend of mine has it, and a different form of it.
ReplyDelete((((Hugs))))
ReplyDeleteThe young lady I went to high school with same thing happened to her.
My was-band's cousin Juliette has lupus.... as did one of my former co-workers...
ReplyDeletePrayers for your friend's healing!
My cousin, Margot has it. I once thought I had it but the doctor said I didn't. (I was told recently to check again) but GOD is good and He's got the last word ALWAYS! Blessings to her.
ReplyDeleteI just heard a testimony where a man had been diagnosed with HIV, been up and down with it for almost 8 years. He decided to get his life right with the Lord and began reading scriptures on healing and having faith that God would heal him and when he went to one of his check up's they couldn't find a single trace that HIV had ever existed!
ReplyDeleteThat's what I'm talking about! That's going to be like my testimony and I pray it's her's too!
*big ol hug*
ReplyDeleteBoth of you look gorgeous in that photo. My heart goes out to anyone suffering from this disease.
ReplyDeleteMy mother has lived with BOTH of the major forms (Systemic & Discoid) of Lupus for almost 30 years now...... this is why she's my hero and inspiration!!!
ReplyDeleteFor those who aren't familiar with this disease.....
http://www.lupus.org/newsite/index.html
*believer*
ReplyDeleteBeautiful picture! I'm glad your friend is doing good!
ReplyDeleteI'm very grateful that no one I know has it. I will keep your friend in my prayers. I'm glad her husband took their vows seriously!
ReplyDeletemonni.. you never told me that! i will weigh in... thank you..
ReplyDeleteas you know i too have lupus.... and there are various forms.... i have the one that affects my joints.. they are in constant pain.. any joint can hurt at any given time, with no let up.. i could be sitting with you having a conversation and in the next 5 mins i can be in intense pain.. i am also COLD, all the time..which is why i carry a blanket EVERYWHERE i go. i also have a number of umbrellas that i have to use to sheild from the sun.. now people buy me umbrellas, cause i am still the fashion diva so i need an umbrella to match my outfits!
with lupus most times comes fibromyalgia, sjorgrens...and sometimes even cancer...
mike, you are right.. its no joke.. when i pray, i dont pray for God to take it away, because i believe i have a testimony.. i instead pray for God to ease the pain...
sometimes it has affected my dating life..i have had people tell me that i am SICK and they cant see themselves with me...i had a man who i have known since i was 16...asias god dad tell me that i hold my family hostage..because there are some days where i cant do anything but lay in the bed.... lupus affects everyone differently..
we also have another connect with lupus...
That's the one my friend was just diagnosed with!!!
ReplyDeleteI've had 3 family members who literally suffered with this disease so I know how painful it can be. I believe a positive frame of mind and strong faith will help in the healing process, both physically and mentally.
ReplyDeleteyes girl.. this pain is no joke.....
ReplyDeletethe skin can even hurt!
the cold makes it alot worse.. give her my love....also give her my email addy if she wants to join a support group.
fabulous@fabulousbebe.com
you are correct..
ReplyDeletebut those things are easier said than done..
being in pain every day and all day..not being able to rest..or sleep.. or be in the sun.. etc.. can certainly take a toll on ones faith and psyche.. thats why it helps to have people around who love you unconditionally..
I plan to call her to see how she is feeling. She had been feeling pain, and kept going to the doctor, and kept going, and pressing. Finally she saw some kind of specialist and that's when he determined it was lupus.
ReplyDeleteshe prolly saw a rheumatologist.......
ReplyDeleteit takes awhile for a doctor to refer, especialy if the doctor has no knowledge of it...
i was just diagnosed in 2003.. ... but i have had the symptoms ALL my life... my mom used to take me to doctors and they would day i have blood circulation issues.. or a vitamin deficiency... or.. anemia... etc........
finally.........and the diagnosis came as a blessing and a curse...it was wonderful to finally know what was wrong with me all these years....and that i am not crazy.. psychosematic...and all that mess...
cause the first thing people tend to say is "you dont LOOK sick"
so make sure you have her contact me if she wants to.
You look awesome, but I now know what you have been going thru.
ReplyDeletethank you big sister!!!!!!
ReplyDeletei posted a story on my page... read it and show it to your friend..
I will keep that in mind. I plan to share your story with her.
ReplyDelete