Lupus Awareness Month

Lupus Star Foundation Website

Lupus and Your Career

With the economy bouncing back, many of us (myself included) are going to be entering the workforce again.  For those of us that are living with Lupus, this poses many challenges besides the quality of our resumes!  Many of the butterflies wrestle with themselves about whether or not they should disclose the illness to perspective employers, and if they do, when is the right time?  What should I say?

As a recent MBA grad, I have put some thought into this process and have offered some tips that may help my fellow butterflies and anyone else living with a chronic illness:

Should I say something?

Yes, it is definitely in your best long-term interest to disclose your illness.  We all know that a flare up can occur at anytime.  When it hits, we have enough to worry about.  Worrying about our job security shouldn't be one of them.  That's why it is important for your employer to know what you are dealing with before it becomes a problem.  Letting them know in the midst of a health crisis can make you look unreliable and untrustworthy. 

So when is the best time?
You should disclose your illness whenever you feel comfortable. I would say the sooner the better. A few times I have waited a while after I was hired to say something, but I have also mentioned my condition during the interview on several occasions.  I would rather know in advance that the organization has a problem with my condition.  You will be able to tell by paying attention to non-verbal and verbal cues, even if they do not come out and say so. Even though it is against the law to discriminate, companies can still do it and hide the real reason. So I say if it flows naturally in conversation, and you feel comfortable, TELL them!! If you are lucky you will have a supervisor that is understanding and supportive.  I hope that you all will have successful careers, which are fulfilling and make you super duper happy.


With Love,

QUICK FACT 18

In approximately 10 percent of all lupus cases, individuals will have symptoms and signs of more than one connective tissue disease. A physician may use the term "overlap syndrome" or "mixed connective tissue disease" to describe this condition. 

Depending on how lupus affects their body, some people with lupus may need additional care from specialists, like a dermatologist for skin problems, a nephrologist for kidney disease, or a cardiologist for heart complications.

Should I Take the Stronger Medicine?

Well, I have an important decision to make.  My Rheumy wants to start taking Methotrexate in order to stop taking Prednisone.  If you don't know what Methotrexate is, it is a mild form of chemotherapy.  I am not sure that I want to begin to take such a strong and possibly damaging medication.  My Rheumy really thinks this will improve my health.  She was so excited when I told her to go ahead and write the prescription.  I didn't say I would take the pill. I didn't even say I would fill the prescription.  She was still very happy. I guess she really believes that this will help me in the long run.


So, I turned in the prescription, but did not pick it up yet.  I will probably get it tomorrow.  Still not sure about taking it.  It has terrible side effects. Info of Methotrexate One minute I tell myself "heck no I'm not taking a chemo pill." Then when I am lying down feeling absolutely terrible, with pain all over my body I say "screw it, just try it." I am ready to stop feeling so bad so often. But chemo....geez!!! I am just very confused right now.  I have talked to several people that take it and have had no real problems.  That is nice to hear. I just don't know! 


Confused and Losing it,

Volunteers Needed!!! Please Help!!!

Lupus Star Foundation is proud to announce that we have a volunteer opportunity this spring and summer.  We will assist CCC Because We Care Foundation with their volunteer program with the Detroit Tigers. We will work the concessions during the 2011 Tigers season and earn money for Lupus Star Foundation.  We need as many people to volunteer as possible.  The more games we work and the more people we have at the games, the more money we will have donated to us. LSF really needs your help!!!

There are 30 games that we can volunteer for, but you can work as many or as few as you would like.  Regardless if you plan to work 1 or 25 games, you are required to attend training. You must be 18 years and older.  We begin working games on Friday, April 22, 2011 through Wednesday, September 28, 2011.  There will be a training session sometime in May.  If you are interested please let me know as soon as possible.  Also, please pass this on to your family, friends and supporters. Email, call, text, post it to your Facebook and Twitter account, whatever you have to do to get volunteers. Anyone can help out!! 

If you would like to get involved, but this is not the program for you, please contact us. If you would like to donate to the foundation please do so below.         

LSF Website
Email: lupusstarfoundation@gmail.com


Thanks Bunches,

Depressed? What to do?

    
     Depression affects millions of people. There is no single cause that has been identified.  It seems to be interactions between genetic, environmental, biochemical and psychosocial factors that play a role.  Those of us with lupus or other chronic illnesses may suffer from depression due to a number of reasons. 
     I personally take medication that causes depression. I also get down about how lupus has negatively affected my life. I had to realize that I was depressed and try to "snap out of it!"  We must remember that depression is NOT a personal weakness or a condition that can be wished away.  It is a real illness, but it can be successfully treated.
    Treatments include medication, psychotherapy, and other natural remedies. If you know or think you are depressed you can try these tips for a natural approach to promote healthy living. Maintain proper sleep hygiene as advised by your health care professional, Eat a well-balanced diet, Manage anxiety as advised by your health care professional, Participate in a structured and supervised exercise program as advised by your health care professional, Set realistic goals for yourself, Create small and manageable tasks & Let others you can trust such as family and friends help you.


Here are some other ways to get rid of your depression on your own.

• Do not make important decisions while depressed.
• Try to avoid stress.
• Take care of your body.
• Eat regularly and with pleasure.
• Avoid negative thoughts.
• Communicate with friends and family, even overcoming yourself.
• Report any changes in your health to your psychotherapist.
• Do not take drugs or alcohol.
• Do not abuse hypnotic drugs.

Information from www.pristiq.com and www.depressionam.com

Also remember that it is always a good idea to consult your doctor about depression and its treatments. ☺

I Didn't Know She Had Lupus!!

Mercedes Yvette Scelba-Shorte of the second season of America's Next Top Model has lupus.  The 29 year old from New Jersey revealed that she had lupus on ANTM. Now working as a model and actress, Mercedes uses her celebrity to spread lupus awareness.  She was featured twice on the cover of the Lupus Foundation of America's Lupus Now Magazine.  She is a avid spokesperson and advocate of lupus.  
I remember watching the ANTM episode where she revealed that she had lupus.  I felt so sorry for her, but I didn't know much about the illness.  And that next year (2005) I was diagnosed.  Well, I am happy to see that she is thriving as a young talent, and is doing what she can for our cause.  She should be an inspiration to us all.  We can still achieve our dreams even with lupus weighing us down!! You are much more powerful than your illness, never forget that.


With Love,

World Health Day

Today is World Health Day!! What is World Health Day?

"World Health Day is celebrated on 7 April to mark the founding of WHO. Each year, the Organization selects a key health issue, and encourages people from all ages and all backgrounds to hold events that highlight the significance of this issue for good health and well-being. World Health Day provides a unique opportunity for communities from across the world to come together for one day to promote actions that can improve our health." ~World Health Organization 

This year's issue is Antimicrobial resistance. 

For more info visit http://www.who.int/world-health-day/2011/en/index.html 

April & March Awareness

April
☂ National Donate Life Month
☂ National Autism Awareness Month
☂ National Minority Health Month
☂ Alcohol Awareness Month
☂ World Health Day (7)
☂ World Meningitis Day (24)
☂ National Infant Immunization Week (23-30)


March 
☁ National Nutrition Month
☁ National Endometriosis Awareness Month
☁ Save Your Vision Month
☁ National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month

QUICK FACT 17

Since many symptoms of lupus mimic those of other illnesses, lupus often can take three to five years to diagnose. Symptoms of lupus can come and go over time, which makes a definite diagnosis more difficult.

Health Awareness (February, January & December)

February

❤ American Heart Month

❤ National Wise Health Consumer Month

❤ National Children's Dental Health Month

❤ International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month

January

☃ Cervical Health Awareness Month

☃ Thyroid Awareness Month

☃ National Glaucoma Awareness Month

☃ National Folic Acid Awareness Month

December 

❅ Safe Toys and Gifts Month 
❅ World AIDS Day (1)
❅ National Aplastic Anemia and MDS Awareness Week (1-7)
❅ National Handwashing Awareness Week (5-11) 

When do I tell him I have a chronic illness?

A young lady asked me to get other lupie opinions regarding the right time to tell a new love interest about your chronic illness.  Well, everyone who responded pretty much said the same thing in some way or another.  The overwhelming response was "when you feel comfortable".  This is also my advice.  If you feel comfortable telling them on the first date then go for it, but if not just hold off until you do.  I also think that it is better to let them know as soon as possible.  One of the respondents also mentioned that you can weed out a certain type of guy (or girl) by being upfront in the beginning.  Some people will run as fast as they can.  Well, if they do then it is good that you got rid of them early, because you will eventually need his help and he probably won't give you the support that you need.  
I understand if you feel apprehensive about letting people in too early.  It is natural, but you may eventually become more comfortable with sharing your situation with people, even someone that you just began courting.  No one can tell you when YOU should share your health condition, only you can determine that.  If it takes too long for you to feel comfortable with a certain person then they are probably not the right person for you.  
I personally feel relieved when I share my condition, I feel a load off of my shoulders.  I can also tell a great deal about a person and/or how they feel about me by their reaction.  Having a chronic illness is a sort of blessing when it comes to relationships, because you really find out who really loves and will do anything for you right from the start.


With Love,