I didn't know she had Lupus!!

Okay not Barbara Bush, the dog!!  Yes, dogs can have Lupus.  Millie the dog belonged to former President Bush and first lady Barbara.  Millie lived with Lupus for many years.  She even had puppies with no difficulties.  Millie, with some help ;-), wrote a book about living with Lupus.  How cute!!  It was very inspiring for many people.  This book brought Lupus to the public eye.  Go Millie!!  What a Lupus advocate.  Millie died from pneumonia in 1997 at the age of 12, but she will never be forgotten.  It is amazing who (what) can get Lupus!!  We are definitely not alone!!


Millie's Book

QUICK FACT 7

Lupus can run in families, and research suggests that genes are involved in the development of lupus. However, lupus also can develop in people with no family history of the disease. (LFA)


   

FLASHBACK #3

I am just thinking about my last flare up.  How long was it really going on?  I was diagnosed with pneumonia twice and given 5 different antibiotics within 4 months.  Only to find out it was NOT pneumonia. I had terrible allergic reactions to all those drugs for NOTHING.  This was very frustrating.  What do we pay these doctors for? 


Anyhoo, I was in really bad shape.  I could not do anything for myself for a long time.  I was not eating or moving at all.  I just stayed in bed. Some days I could barely walk.  It was terrible.  Finally after not going into work, not calling in and not answering when they called, I was rescued.  My co-workers came and took me to the doctor, and then eventually I was admitted into the hospital. I really didn't want to go, but it was the best thing for me.  When I get there the nurses didn't believe I was the patient.  They said that their patients usually don't walk in.  I guess I was the lucky one.  :-/


When in the hospital they removed 730ml of fluid off of my right lung (the surrounding sack).  The fluid on left lung would be resolved with Prednisone (YEAH!). This fluid was not a result of pneumonia, it was a flare up.  It seems like my rheumy could have figured this out before I was half dead, but obviously that is not in his job description.  


As a result of this most painful situation, I had to take 4 months off of school and work.  I could barely go back in January.  I still missed about 2 weeks worth of work, because I still not feeling well. (BTW it's May and I am still having chest pains smh) Lupus can really put a wrench in your plans I tell you.  I am happy to be alive and well (for the most part).  I have learned to really appreciate every good day and make the best of the bad ones.  It can always be worst!!  


Lupus Awareness and Fundraising is so very important.  We need better treatments and programs.  Most importantly We need a CURE!! Spread the word about Lupus, even if you don't know anyone affected by it (Hi my name is Simone...now you do).  Cherish your life and the people in it!!  I know I do!!


With Love 
Simmi

May Awareness

May is:
✿ National Lupus Awareness Month
✿ National Arthritis Awareness Month
✿ American Stroke Month
✿ Clean Air Month
✿ Lyme Disease Awareness Month
✿ Hepatitis Awareness Month
✿ National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
✿ National High Blood Pressure Education Month
✿ National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month
✿ National Physical Fitness and Sports Month
✿ National Neurofibromatosis Month
...and many more.
  










   



QUICK FACT 6


Types of Lupus:
     ☞ Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (the most common) affects many parts of the body
     ☞ Discoid Lupus Erythematosus - causes a skin rash that doesn't go away
     ☞ Subacute Cutaneous Lupus Eryth. - causes skin sores where exposed to the sun
     ☞ Drug-Induced Lupus - can be caused by medications
     ☞ Neonatal Lupus - a rare type of Lupus that affects newborns

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