I am joining thousands of people across the country for the Walk to End Lupus Now®. I hope that you will join me either by lacing up your sneakers or by donating to my fundraising page. 

Lupus is “the great imitator” because its symptoms often mimic those of other conditions. Diagnosis is often a process of elimination. Treatment typically is trial and error.

After 13 years of trying my best to manage the damage and thinking I'm doing okay with this disease, I get blindsided with something. Persistent Monocytosis has surfaced and escalated over the past year, so off to Oncology and Hematology. Bone marrow biopsy was in order. Myeloproliferative disorder and leukemia needed to be eliminated as causes. B-12 was discovered to be way below acceptable level. And I have developed Monoclonal Gammopathy.

Lupus is “the great imitator” indeed. Abnormally high number of infection-fighting monocytes floating around in the blood stream (Persistent Monocytosis) of course is another Lupus marker, but...process of elimination. And now add in B-12 injections every 4 weeks to the schedule! Monoclonal Gammopathy will need monitoring to ensure it does not progress to multiple myeloma (bone cancer). Life of Lupies.

Did you know?

Lupus is a mysterious and misunderstood autoimmune disease. It strikes without warning, affects each person differently, and has no known causes or cure.

Lupus symptoms can be severe and highly unpredictable and can damage any organ or tissue, from the skin or joints to the heart or kidneys.

While lupus can strike anyone at any time, 90% of people living with lupus are women. Women of color are at especially high risk.

Lupus is hard to diagnose, but the Lupus Foundation of America is working to make life easier and more comfortable for the estimated 1.5 million people living with lupus in the United States.

Together, we can solve the cruel mystery of lupus. We are the advocating momentum for critical new studies to improve understanding of the disease and lead to new treatments for people living with this cruel and potentially fatal disease. A heartfelt thank you to the previous years' generous donators, supporters, walkers, and Lupus awareness proliferators. Let's go out and carry on for year thirteen!