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For Lupus Fighters, By Lupus Fighters.
Promoting Lupus Education, Awareness and Research to Find a Cure for Lupus. Providing Information, Support, Lupus Awareness Products and Merchandise.
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Featured Product: Most Popular Pages 12. Lupus Treatments 14. ANA & Lupus
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At 18 I finally got insurance and began seeing a doctor. He told me that based on my lab results Lupus was likely, but more tests needed to be done. I lost my insurance and for the next 6 years I went through many flares and remissions, mostly untreated. I missed a lot of work, sometimes for months at a time, I lost many friends, and even my family could not understand what I was going through. I didn't worry too much about not being treated because I knew the treatment was steroids and I didn't think the side effects were worth relieving joint pain and skin rashes. I had no symptoms of the damage being done to my organs. At age 24 I was diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Failure secondary to the Lupus, causing me to go through menopause at age 24. My flares were getting longer and closer together until I was counting the good days because it was easier than counting the bad ones. I eventually had to quit working and file for disability. I finally got the official Lupus diagnosis in early 2004 at age 26. They also discovered that there was severe damage to my kidneys. After a kidney biopsy, I was diagnosed with WHO Class VI Lupus Nephritis. My kidneys were scarred and there was nothing that could be done to treat it. I was told that my kidneys would fail and I would need dialysis and a transplant, it was just a matter of time. I was immediately started on the steroid, Prednisone. A few months later I was also started on CellCept, a chemotherapy drug. After moving back to Iowa,
getting on a program for the un-insurable, and seeing some of the best
doctors in the world at the University of Iowa, I went into a remission
that has lasted 3.5 years now. Unfortunately, that didn't
mean I felt better.
I still have constant ups and downs but my symptoms are somewhat under control, and afer fighting over 6 years I am on Social Security Disability. I am now a Lupus Activist spending my limited energy trying to raise Lupus Awareness and money for Lupus Research so that we can get a real cure rather than more meds that are very nearly as bad as the disease itself. Now that I have talked about all the bad things it is only fair to mention the amazing gifts I have gotten from having this disease. I know that sounds strange but, I am honestly thankful for the patience it has taught me, and how it has taught me to live in the moment and to make the most of every day. I am most grateful for the strength I have built, I know I can make it through anything! Accepting that Lupus changed what kind of a person I was has been the hardest part of all this, but I now know that I was never intended to be that person anyway. I have become so happy, fulfilled and proud of the person I am today. I can no longer imagine not having this website and it's supporters in my life! 2007 Des Moines Register article about Kendra.
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