Dear Lupus,
Back in 2012 I was happy and just going about my life and was actually very excited about where my life was taking me….

But you couldn’t leave it that way. You just had to make yourself known. You came into my life like a hurricane. You set me down a path that I had no say in and was not really ready to face. No one asked you to leave that dormant state you had been living. And you certainly weren’t given an invitation to become the center of my life. However, you did just that and in the process changed just about everything I knew and was comfortable with. You came in and made it known by all that you were GOING TO BE THE CENTER OF ATTENTION. Who asked you to come? Who asked you to come into my body and take my life away?? I sure as hell didn’t.

Looking back, I can see that you made yourself known and reared your ugly head the first time when I was in highschool. Although no one called you by your proper name. Instead they kept telling me that I had a bad case of mono. Mono that lasted SIX MONTHS?!?! Really?!?? Being a teenager I always wondered why the simplest tasks made me exhausted and how the people around me could go-go-go for hours, when I couldn’t. It was because of you LUPUS.

You went away for several years for the most part and I was grateful. Even so, I continued to wonder through the rest of high school and college why I couldn’t be as active and involved like the kids my age etc. it was bc of you. Damn you for taking away my years when I should have been having fun!

Finally six years ago you officially made your move. You moved in for good, and brought all your baggage. Although we never discussed this, and I never agreed to this. I didn’t give you a key or clear out a drawer for you. Instead you just made yourself welcome. Since that day that seems so long ago you’ve made my life or a good part of it a living hell. Because of you I have lost friends because they think I don’t want to see them or that I’m just full of excuses as to why I don’t want to go out to the bar after work. Or because they simply don’t understand when I say I’m tired it’s not just lay down and take a nap tired it’s pure exhaustion. Because of you I had to walk away from my nursing career after only 11 years. I planned on working in the medical community until I retired. But you once again had another plan. And your plan won, even though I didn’t agree. But the biggest problem I have with you isn’t related to losing my career, or friends. My biggest issue is how hard you’ve made it for me to be able to watch my sister play ball. She is one of my very favorite humans in life. And watching her pitch is one of my all time favorite things to do. But because of you I was virtually unable to do the last couple of years. Mainly due to the intense heat intolerance I developed due to Lupus. And the other issues that the heat causes for me, like headaches. And it literally has broken my heart. This summer was the last ball season of her career and I only got to see her once. I know she understands but it still hurt me so much.

You came and brought along uncontrolled pain (at times), long term steroids (leading to weight gain), inability to be in the heat or sun, sleep issues, and a plethora of other very undesirable conditions that go hand in hand with you. I can never thank you enough for your generosity. You brought all your friends (other medical conditions) along with you when you moved in. I didn’t want you and I definitely didn’t want any of them!!!

I have decided I am done, you have been “kind” enough. But now it’s is time to go away and take all the “gifts” you’ve brought with you that are also not welcomed here.

One of the reasons I hate you the most is because between you and your “friend” endometriosis I will no longer be able to carry my own baby. And I’ve never wanted anything more than to be a mother. But because of you, the side effects of the drugs I take to treat you and your friend endometriosis, carrying my own baby is no longer possible. My lifelong goal gone in a second. I have always wanted to adopt so I know that’s still an option. But it’s still not quite the same as having your own baby. But I will be greatly appreciative of any child that God gives me.

When you leave you can also take the Adrenal Insufficiency and Hemiplegic migraines with you. Because of the three of you I had to quit my job and move home with my parents. Because you were all being so mean. At times of big flares, illness or hospital admission my blood pressure can drop and stay in the 70’s and 80’s. Also because of you I have spent more time in the ER/Hospital in the last FEW YEARS than one person ever should IN A LIFETIME.

I’m tired of all of you. Tired of all the medications, the depression, the anxiety and most of all the pain.  I never asked any one of you into my life, yet you are all here. You have changed my life in more ways than I can count. I’ve lost the majority of my local friends, I can no longer work on gaining a degree to teach nursing school because of you. You have even made it very very hard for me to hold down a job. You need to pack up and get the hell out of my life! GO. GO I tell ya!!

One thing that keeps me going is mysister’s unwavering faith in God. And her prayers. Because of her I have been able to find my relationship with the Heavenly Father again. Because of that I now live by the verses.

Philippines 4:13 I can do ALL things through Christ who strengthens me.

Isaiah 41:10 So do not fear I am with you; do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

With Love,

-Amber